While we were at the Hyatt Place Lakeland Center we also visited the Bok Tower in Lake Wales. It was our second visit as we were there on December 28 of 2001.
This is the actual tower, built from pink and gray Georgia marble and Florida coquina, a limestone of shell and coral fragments.
Yes, the Bok Tower is a Florida Heritage
And also a
National Historic Landmark
Very peaceful surroundings and beautiful subtropical vegetation along the road that leads to the
Singing Tower & Gardens...
Here husband Pieter is standing in front of this
205 feet (65.5 meters) high Bok Tower which is built on the
highest point in peninsular Florida (324 feet) or 99 meters.
Lots of Spanish moss hanging down from the trees, just as we see it here in Georgia.
Majestic palms actually dwarf besides this tall Bok Tower with its beautiful pink and gray Georgia marble.
The architect was Milton B. Medary from Philadelphia and it got built in 1927-1929
The Bok Tower Sanctuary was dedicated to the American people by President Calvin Coolidge on February 1, 1929, and added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972.
Edward Bok, born October 9, 1863 at Den Helder, The Netherlands died within sight of this tower January 9, 1930. At his request
his family placed his grave in the lawn in front of the great brass door. Coming to the United States
as a poor immigrant boy of six, he achieved success as a writer and editor. Late in life he created the sanctuary as
a place of repose for the human spirit. Built the tower with the great carillon as its central accent, and presented them to the American people for visitation
as his thanks for the success they had given him.
On this photo you see the
great brass door and in front of it Edward Bok has been buried in the lawn, where those plants are...
Here I am standing in front of the wrought iron gate with birds...
There is also a huge reflection pond, where the entire tower mirrors itself but it was being drained for cleaning when we visited.
This
Japanese stone lantern was a gift to the Gardens as a tribute to Edward Bok to reflect
his interest in world peace, symbolized by the dove carvings.
Given to the Sanctuary by
Tsujita of Tokyo, January 1956.
The Japanese stone lantern was a gift of
Usaburo Tsujita of Tokyo, member of Edward Bok's staff from 1922 to 1925. The lantern representing
seven years of his savings, is placed within direct sight of the grave of Edward Bok as a tribute and
symbolizes, with its encircling doves, humanity's universal hope for world peace.
Nice views from this
elevated area...
We enjoyed a coffee at the
Blue Palmetto Café...
Sharing some of my home baked cashew-meal with coconut sugar cookies with a friendly squirrel
Did you like this very special sanctuary?
Related link:
it looks beautiful. the tower, itself, is impressive and i like the pink-hued materials.
ReplyDeleteDearest Theresa,
DeleteThis is such a quiet and peaceful area, full with birds and beauty. A must see, at least once in your lifetime. The huge reflection pond was being drained for cleaning when we were there. Otherwise that would make for spectacular tower photos as well.
Hugs,
Mariette
Love the birds on the gate. A majestic tower.
ReplyDeleteDearest Kay,
DeleteA true majestic tower and such a peaceful burial place for Edward Bok...
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteein Gedicht!
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Fuer die letzte Ruhe von Herrn Edward Bok ist es sehr friedlich!
DeleteLiebe Gruesse,
Mariette
De naam Bok klonk nogal Nederlands en dat was ook zo. Wat aardig dat hij de toren met carillon heeft gebouwd als dank voor de kansen die hij had gehad. Het Spaanse mos herinner ik me nog goed, zo vreemd om dat te zien hangen in de bomen.
ReplyDeleteBeste Marianne,
DeleteInderdaad is de naam Bok ècht Nederlands! Hij heeft veel bereikt en ook als persoonlijke vriend van verschillende Presidenten.
Nee, het is niet vreemd om het Spaanse mos zo in de bomen te zien hangen. Gezien de hoge luchtvochtigheid kan deze epifyt leven en het pikt zijn voedingsstoffen, kalk en water, op uit de lucht en regendruppels. Best een apart gezicht is het altijd. Het wordt ook verzameld en gebleekt om voor bloemisterijen te gebruiken.
Fijn weekend en lieve groetjes,
Mariette
That's such a beautiful tower. I love the pink and gray combination. Looks like very nice and peaceful place. And the view is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see Japanese stone lantern and to learn it symbolizes hope for world peace.
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteIt is an impressive structure and so unexpected in such a peaceful setting, far away from the hectic of life...
Who would guess to find this altitude in the otherwise rather flat state of Florida?
That Japanese stone lantern was a very noble gift from the savings of seven years. That revealed a lot about Edward Bok, when one of his staff members donates such a precious gift! Very nice and also the peace message with the doves.
Hugs and happy weekend!
Mariette
Wow; what a wonderful tower with great color combination "Bok Tower" is♡♡♡ And the garden seems great place to stroll.
ReplyDeleteYes,it is gorgeous Japanese lantern and the story behind it about Usaburo Tsujita is really heartwarming. Happy to find another honorable Japanese there.
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend Mariette, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteThe marble color combination is striking and such a beautiful tower with its stone carvings in a beautiful setting. The Japanese lantern did reveal a lot about the loyalty by Usaburo Tsujita towards his boss for donating 7 years worth of his savings to place this within sight of his grave... Love the peace doves as symbol; if only more nations like that could come togehter in such way.
Hugs and love dear friend from Georgia/USA,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteschön, dass du uns mitgenommen und so gut erklärt hast.
Die Geschichte um die japanische Laterne kannte ich nicht.
Sie wurde uns bei unserem Besuch damals auch nicht erzählt.
Liebe Grüße
Irmi
Liebe Irmi,
DeleteJa so warst du auch mal wieder da...
Uns hat keiner etwas erzählt aber es steht ja auf den Marker geschrieben, da kann ein jeder es lesen.
Schade war nur dass der grosse Reflektionsteich grad leergemacht war zum saubermachen. Also ein Bild mit doppelter Turm, einer im Wasser, gab es diesmal nicht...
Liebe Grüsse,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteThe Bok Tower & Gardens a beautiful vege tation the garden your husband Pieter standig from of high Bok Tower. Lots of spenish moe from the trees in Georgia you both enjoyed a coffee at the blue palmetto cafe it was lovely friendly SQUIRREL for you.
We has still raining day...
Hugs and lovely to always both of you!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko,
DeleteThis was again a very lovely visit and that squirrel was cute!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteThis really does look like a Sanctuary and special place - love the tall tower built with the pretty bricks.
Also beautiful gardens to walk around - thanks for sharing.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend
hugs
Carolyn
Dearest Carolyn,
DeleteThe tower in pink and gray Georgia marble is so beautiful!
A very lovely walk with a coffee break.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,what a beautiful place to visit!!The tower looks so big!!And the gardens are so preety!!Wonderful pictures! Oh,i love the little squirrel!!Its so cute!!Have a lovely day!Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDimi...
Dearest Dimi,
DeleteThat marble tower sure IS tall!
We enjoyed our visit.
Hugs,
Mariette
Loved this it looks like a bloody marvellous place
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteIt sure is a marvelous place!
Hugs,
Mariette
•°♡♡彡º°｡
ReplyDeleteBelo monumento, a paisagem e as árvores são muito agradáveis.
Bom domingo e boa semana!
Beijinhos.
¸.•°♪♬♫º°
Dearest Ines,
DeleteA beautiful monument indeed.
Happy Sunday afternoon and happy new week to you!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette. So I learned something new today from you. Very interesting and I love the nature of that place -just gorgeous. Green and peaceful. Seems you had a wonderful visit there dear friend. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteDearest Eli,
DeleteThis is indeed a lovely place and it has a lot of meaning too.
We enjoyed our 9-day vacation in Florida very much with perfect weather all the time.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI need to writing a lettle combinatioro of symbal..
Hugs and love!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko,
DeleteYes, it was a beautiful gift from this Japanese man that worked for Edward Bok...
Hugs and love to you,
Mariette
I've never heard of this tower. The stones are such beautiful colors!! Looks like a wonderful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteDearest Deborah,
DeleteGlad you learned something new, we had read about this in a Southern Living magazine I guess and in 2001 we came here for the first time. Very unique and meaningful place. Edward Bok did so much for this nation and his Ladies Home Journal was quite some pionering work!
Hugs,
Mariette
thanks for sharing. I had no idea this even existed.
ReplyDeleteDearest Daniela,
DeleteThis is a very lovely place to discover and to roam around. Quite peaceful and so meaningful too.
Glad you learned about it now.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a relaxing afternoon, Mariette. Thanks for sharing this testament to the contributions that immigrants make to this great country. xo
ReplyDeleteDearest Stacy,
DeleteEdward Bok did so much for all the women in the USA by publishing his Ladies Home Journal. He contributed a lot as a writer and publisher. A very nice place to visit and to relax, away from the noise of the world.
Hugs,
Mariette