Lake Alfred, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Alfred, Florida
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| City of Lake Alfred | |
Location in Polk County and the state of Florida
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | Florida |
| County | Polk |
| Incorporated | 1915 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.10 sq mi (33.93 km2) |
| • Land | 9.20 sq mi (23.82 km2) |
| • Water | 3.90 sq mi (10.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 131 ft (40 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,374 |
| • Density | 692.90/sq mi (267.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
33850
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| Area code(s) | 863 |
| FIPS code | 12-37525 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404856 |
Lake Alfred is a city located in Polk County, Florida, in the United States. It is part of a larger area called the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, about 6,374 people lived here.
Contents
History of Lake Alfred
Early Names and Railroad Connections
The city of Lake Alfred began to grow shortly after the South Florida Railroad arrived in 1883. This new railroad helped people and goods travel to the area. The settlement had a few different names in its early days.
One of its first names was Fargo. This name was chosen by people who came from Fargo, North Dakota, to escape the cold winters. However, the United States Postal Service asked them to change the name. This was because mail kept getting mixed up with another town called Largo.
After that, the town was called Chubb. Later, it changed to Bartow Junction. This name made sense because the town was located where a railroad line branched off. This branch line led south to Bartow, which is the county seat.
How Lake Alfred Got Its Name
The name Lake Alfred was officially chosen in 1913. This name came from the large lake nearby. The lake itself was named after Alfred Parslow. He arrived in Florida in 1877. Alfred Parslow helped create the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad.
Citrus Research in Lake Alfred
In 1917, something very important happened for Florida's farming. The State of Florida opened the first off-campus center for the University of Florida right here in Lake Alfred. This center was called the Citrus Experiment Station. Its main goal was to study and find better ways to grow citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. Today, this important research center is known as the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center.
Geography and Climate
Where is Lake Alfred Located?
Lake Alfred is found in the Central Florida Highlands. This area is part of the Atlantic coastal plain. The land here is mostly flat, but you will also see some gently rolling hills.
The city covers about 8.6 square miles (22.3 square kilometers). A good portion of this area, about 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers), is water. This means Lake Alfred has many lakes and waterways.
The exact location of Lake Alfred is at 28°06′15″N 81°43′35″W / 28.10417°N 81.72639°W.
Lake Alfred's Climate
Lake Alfred has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. It's a great place for growing citrus because of this warm weather.
Population and People
How Many People Live Here?
The number of people living in Lake Alfred has grown over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 317 | — | |
| 1930 | 629 | 98.4% | |
| 1940 | 920 | 46.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,270 | 38.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,191 | 72.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,847 | 29.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,134 | 10.1% | |
| 1990 | 3,622 | 15.6% | |
| 2000 | 3,890 | 7.4% | |
| 2010 | 5,015 | 28.9% | |
| 2020 | 6,374 | 27.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 5,015 people living in Lake Alfred. By 2020, the population had grown to 6,374 people. This shows that more and more families are choosing to make Lake Alfred their home.
The city is home to many different people from various backgrounds. This mix of cultures makes Lake Alfred a diverse and interesting place to live.
Getting Around Lake Alfred
Major Roads
Lake Alfred is connected by important roads. Two main U.S. highways, US 17 and US 92, meet near the city.
- US 17 and US 92: These roads go together (this is called a concurrency) eastward towards Haines City and Kissimmee. US 17 also goes south to Winter Haven. US 92 goes west to Auburndale and Lakeland.
- County Road 557: This road goes north from Lake Alfred. It connects to I-4, a major highway, and leads towards Polk City.
Public Transportation
If you need to get around without a car, Lake Alfred has bus service. The Winter Haven Area Transit operates buses in the city, especially Route #15.
Railroads and Airports
Railroads were very important for Lake Alfred's growth in the past. Today, the CSX Carters Subdivision railroad line still runs through the city. While Amtrak trains use this line, they do not stop in Lake Alfred.
For air travel, there are two airports close by in Winter Haven. These are the Winter Haven Regional Airport and the Jack Browns Seaplane Base.
Lake Alfred Public Library
The Lake Alfred Public Library started in 1962. It was created by the Junior Women's Club. At first, it was in a building on West Haines Blvd. People in Lake Alfred donated about 1,000 books to get it started. Volunteers helped organize all the books.
The library moved to a bigger space in the same building within a year. Volunteers continued to run the library, but this meant the hours it was open could change a lot. Sometimes, it was only open for three hours a week!
In 1967, the city gave the library a small house in Lion's Park. This helped the growing collection of books. By 1969, the city hired a part-time librarian and started funding new books and supplies.
In 1972, the City of Lake Alfred created a special library board. This board helped manage the library. In 1973, the city officially took over the library. It moved to the new Public Safety building on Pomelo Street, located between the police and fire departments.
The library moved to a brand new building in 2012. This was possible because a group called the Friends of the Library received money from Edwin L. Moore, a famous citrus expert. The library is now part of the Polk County Library cooperative.
Today, the Lake Alfred Public Library offers many cool things. You can print wirelessly, take technology classes, and find both print and e-books. They also have free WiFi and special programs for kids! You can find the library at 245 N. Seminole Ave., Lake Alfred, Florida 33850.
Notable People from Lake Alfred
Some well-known people have connections to Lake Alfred:
- Dawayne Bryan, a racing driver
- Ahmed Johnson, a professional wrestler
- Manisha Singh, an attorney who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs
Gallery
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Mansion at Mackay Gardens & Lakeside Preserve
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Lake Alfred Public Library
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Lake Rochelle boat ramp
See also
In Spanish: Lake Alfred para niños
