2/4/2015 - Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales, FL was established in 1929 by Edward W. Bok as a gift to the American people, the 50-acre garden was designed by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr to be a contemplative and informal woodland setting.  Acres of ferns, palms, oaks and pines fashion a lush backdrop of flowering foliage and the spectacular seasonal color of azaleas, camellias and magnolias showcase an ever-changing work of art. 

The 205-foot marble & coquina Singing Tower is the focal point of the Gardens with tile mosaics, animal carvings, custom iron work, and daily carillon (organ) concerts. 

Dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge on Frbruary 1, 1929, Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark. 

We had to drive through thousands of orange trees to get up to the Bok Tower. 

Bok Tower

Bottom of the tower. 

Entire tower in one shot.  Looking up at the 205 foot neo-Gothic and Art Deco Singing Tower is an experience like non other.  Designed by famed Milton B. Medary and ornately crafted by noted stone sculptor Lee Lawrie, the Tower houses a 60 bell carillon - one of the world's finest.   

Front of the tower with a beautiful brass door. 

The only drawback of the tower is that we were not able to go into it, due to fire regulations because there is only one door to the tower. 

Overlooking the orange groves.

Just relaxing waiting for the music from the tower. 

There was a small mote around the tower where visitors could get feed from a machine to feed these beautiful large goldfish. 

Mote around the tower. 

Beautiful flowers! 

Very unique flower. 

Another unique palm tree. See next picture for what the brown section of the tree looks like. 

Amazing there are little pods in this part of the palm tree. The name of this unusual palm is in the next picture. 

Name of the palm above. 

Beautiful flower. 

A touch of Spring during the winter months.  Enjoy! 😃