Dixie Walesbilt Hotel, historic hotel in Lake Wales, Florida (USA)
The Dixie Walesbilt Hotel is a ten-story building completed in 1926 and opened in early 1927 at 115 North 1st Street in Lake Wales. Its structure uses steel-reinforced poured concrete with a three-part design featuring a distinct base, middle section, and crown that balance proportion and visual harmony.
The hotel was built in 1926 and opened in 1927 during Florida's boom period, when the state experienced rapid growth and optimism. Local businesspeople and prominent investors including a governor, silent film stars, and entertainment lawyers pooled resources to construct this symbol of anticipated prosperity.
The hotel embodies the ambitions of Lake Wales residents who invested in a shared vision of prosperity during the 1920s. Its construction by local businesspeople and Hollywood investors reflected how the community viewed itself as destined for growth and importance.
The hotel is located at 115 North 1st Street in downtown Lake Wales, making it straightforward to find and access. The ten-story structure is visible from various points in town and stands tall enough to serve as a clear landmark for navigation.
The building earned the nickname 'The Green Monster' due to decades of weathering that left it with a distinctive discolored exterior. This visible decay became a local symbol of both abandonment and the community's determination to eventually restore it to life.
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