Historic Walesbilt Hotel

I wish the local colleges would collaborate toake the Grand hotel a luxury dorm for Webber, Warner, Polk state, and the other colleget schools in Polk county. That could really change and reenergize downtown lake Wales a lot.

This fabulous historic hotel is finally coming back to life with a new owner, thanks to the city support. I can hardly wait to see the completed project!

The Dixie WalesBilt Hotel was built in 1926. It opened on January 27, 1927 on 5 Park Avein Lake Wales, Fl. By the time it opened the Florida land boom had begun to collapse. The hotel was built two years before Lake Wales most iconic landmark, Bok Tower was built. At the time it was built the 10 story hotel was the crown jewel of Lake Wales. It is one of only a few remaining skyscrapers from the 1920's. The first owners of the hotel were Florida governor Martin and silent movie star Thomas Meighan who owned the hotel along with fellow movie stars Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, and Clara Bow and Hollywood attorney Nathan Burkan and Hollywood producer Victor Heerman. The hotel was built for $500,000 and it was financed by selling stock in the enterprise. The hotel architect was Fred Bishop