Bob Gernert

Inwood is a diverse neighborhood located on Winter Haven’s western side on the shore of Lake Cannon. During the real estate boom of the 1920s, Inwood was among several newly created neighborhoods marketed by the Haven Villa Corporation. Though never formally incorporated into Winter Haven’s city limits, it is part and parcel of the city’s rich history. My family moved to Winter Haven in September of 1960. My maternal grandparents had moved here a year earlier and had purchased a small home on...

This month, we look back to 1915 when a small group of determined residents had a vision of connecting many of our lakes by canals. The group organized as the Twenty Lakes Boat Club. At the time, some of the lakes had small “runs” or swampy places that connected them. This club wanted to create canals there. Pleasure boat in Howard/Cannon canal, one the Chain’s most scenic. Foot bridge spanning the canal behind boat was originally installed to connect the properties of Dick and Malcom Pope of...

Many remember the time during January – as citrus season is fully manifest – Winter Haven would host a grand celebration featuring parades, banquets, nationally broadcast radio and television shows, massive displays of fresh fruit, and carnival shows such as the James E. Strates company with rides (including the double Ferris wheel) overlooking Lake Silver. Crowds converge on the 1949 entrance to the Florida Citrus Exposition — this scene from Third St. at Avenue D, NW. Wooded area at left is...