Eagle Lake, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eagle Lake, Florida
|
|
|---|---|
| City of Eagle Lake | |
Overlooking Eagle Lake at sunset.
|
|
| Motto(s):
"Growing With People In Mind"
|
|
Location in Polk County and the state of Florida
|
|
 Eagle Lake, Florida
Location in Florida
|
|
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Florida |
| County | Polk |
| Settled | Circa 1880 |
| Incorporated | 1921 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission–Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.21 sq mi (10.90 km2) |
| • Land | 2.38 sq mi (6.17 km2) |
| • Water | 1.83 sq mi (4.73 km2) |
| Elevation | 171 ft (52 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 3,008 |
| • Density | 1,262.27/sq mi (487.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
33839
|
| Area code(s) | 863 |
| FIPS code | 12-18875 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403526 |
| Website | http://www.eaglelakefl.gov |
Eagle Lake is a city located in Polk County, Florida, in the United States. It's part of a larger area called the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Area. The city's main area is built around U.S. Highway 17. In 2020, about 3,008 people lived here.
Contents
History of Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake started around 1880. A man named John Bingham bought 160 acres of land. This land was between what we now call Eagle Lake, Crystal Lake, and Spirit Lake. He named the lake where his first cabin was built "Eagle Lake." This was because an eagle's nest was in a nearby pine tree.
Around the same time, in 1882, Louisa McLeod bought 115 acres to the east. As more land was sold, the city slowly grew. The town's layout was planned around 1887.
In its early days, Eagle Lake was known for its local businesses. These included a brickyard and a turpentine mill. There were also two places that packed citrus fruits. Sadly, both packing houses were destroyed in the 1940s.
From the mid-1950s to the 1960s, the city had a fun spot. It was called the Crystal Beach Pavilion. This place had a wooden bathing house with changing rooms. It also featured a long wooden covered dock, a dance hall, and picnic areas. There was even a diving platform on the southwest side of Eagle Lake.
In the 1980s, the city chose its motto: "Growing with People in Mind." This idea still guides the city today.
Geography and Climate
Eagle Lake is in the Central Florida Highlands. This area is part of the Atlantic coastal plain. The land here is mostly flat, with some gentle rolling hills.
The city covers about 4.21 square miles (10.90 square kilometers). Of this, 2.38 square miles (6.17 square kilometers) is land. The rest, about 1.83 square miles (4.73 square kilometers), is water.
Weather in Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. It gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.
People of Eagle Lake
The city's population has grown over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 600 | — | |
| 1940 | 862 | 43.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,060 | 23.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,364 | 28.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,373 | 0.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,678 | 22.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,758 | 4.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,496 | 42.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,255 | −9.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,008 | 33.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 3,008 people living in Eagle Lake. There were 796 households and 573 families. In 2010, the population was 2,255 people, with 641 households and 462 families.
City Library
The Eagle Lake Public Library is part of the Polk County Library Cooperative. You can find the library at 75 North Seventh Street, Eagle Lake, Florida 33839. It is located within the city hall complex.
Getting Around Eagle Lake
The main road through Eagle Lake is U.S. 17. On the south side of town, this highway splits. The northbound traffic uses 5th Street, and southbound traffic uses 4th Street. Each of these streets has three lanes. On the north side of town, these two parts of the highway join back together. U.S. 17 goes north to Winter Haven and south to Bartow.
Eagle Lake also connects to County Road 540. This road helps you get to State Road 570 and U.S. 98. These routes lead to nearby cities like Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando.
The city is also close to Bartow Municipal Airport. This airport is used for private flights. It makes it easier to travel in and out of the Central Florida area.
Education in Eagle Lake
Public schools in Eagle Lake are managed by Polk County Public Schools.
Local Public Schools
- Eagle Lake Elementary
- Pinewood Elementary
- Lake Region High School
Colleges and Universities Nearby
- Polk State College has campuses in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Lake Wales.
- Florida Polytechnic University is about 15 minutes away from the city.
- Florida Southern College and Southeastern University are in Lakeland.
- Warner University is located in Lake Wales.
- Webber International University is in Babson Park.
Fun and Recreation
Eagle Lake has a baseball and softball complex. It has three fields that are 200 feet long and one field that is 275 feet long. The City Hall complex also offers many activities. It has courts for basketball, racquetball, and shuffleboard. There's also a skate park and a playground for kids.
You can also find two boat ramps to access the lakes. These are for Lake McLeod and Eagle Lake. At the Eagle Lake ramp, there is a city park. This park has a pavilion, a playground, a beach, and restrooms.
See also
In Spanish: Eagle Lake (Florida) para niños
