Lake of the Hills Community Center
The History of Our Community
Lake Starr was first called Camp Hawkins, and later Lake Hawkins, for a renowned hunter and trapper from Bartow. He made annual trips to the lake during the 1880's, and would bring friends as well as a vast supply of the best brands of liquor. It later became known as Lake Starr due to its irregular outline.
In the 1910s, the Howie Land Co. of Chicago began promoting and selling the land around Starr Lake. Houses were eventually built around the lake, and on higher land directly to the west.
In 1915, Dr. D.A. Haines designed a pavilion on the west side of the lake, and Arthur, George, and Wes Kirch helped him build it. The pavilion was where the club building now stands. The pavilion was a screened-in wooden building on stilts.
In 1918 the Lake of the Hills Community Club, Inc. was formed to coordinate activities at the location. Residents enjoyed picnics there, and the Methodist Church used the pavilion weekly for Sunday school and its Christmas productions. By 1920, members had built a swimming dock, and a two-level diving tower. As the community developed, the Howie Land Co. donated land for a church and school on West Starr Avenue, directly behind a Torbert's Country Store.
In 1922, W.J. Howey donated approximately one acre of land, known as the Park Lot of Starr Lake, to be used by the Lake of the Hills Community Club, and by 1923 there were many families supporting the community organization. An early support group was the men's Recreation Club which maintained the pavilion, grounds and lakefront. That year there was a community meeting during which residents voted to call the area Lake of the Hills. Our unincorporated community grew to a winter population of approximately 300.
Following a hurricane that severely damaged the pavilion, the Club decided to build a more substantial social center and again Haines designed the building. One of the popular building fund raising events was box suppers. Single women would make a dinner for two and pack it in a decorated box that then was auctioned to the highest bidding gentleman. The successful buyer would share dinner with the woman who had made the meal. Chicken dinners were common and popular, giving rise to what continues as the club's traditional chicken dinner.
The present one-story stucco building was completed in 1929. A surplus of $196 was deposited in a bank that failed to open the next day due to the onset of the Great Depression.
The first group to meet in the new clubhouse was the Recreation Club. While the men were working the ladies would cook and sometimes help the men with the grounds and maintenance of the structures. Later the women organized as The Willing Workers. The building was hired out for professional meetings and private events. The local Waverly Citrus Growers Association had been large contributors to the construction in exchange for holding their annual meetings at the clubhouse. The Willing Workers attended to the maintenance before and after these events.
The Community Center has always been used as a voting precinct. Since the time of the pavilion's construction in 1915, an ice cream social is held every February. The Community Center was where people from the community met and socialized. Since the population swells seasonally with many residents visiting from the north, there have always been monthly gatherings between October and May. Club members got together for covered dish dinners, meetings, and programs once monthly. Square dances were held, and canning classes were taught. For major holidays there were theme parties.
The Lake of the Hills Community Center was designated historic site on March 24, 2000, when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The property contains a circular drive and a large lime rock with bronze plaque.
Today we uphold the proud tradition of using our Community Center as the gathering place for our community, sharing meals with neighbors and exchanging news of events that affect our community. We welcome you to join us!
We welcome you to become a part of our vibrant social activities. By becoming a member you will be informed about the events and issues of importance to you and your neighbors.Our active calendar includes fun such as spaghetti dinners and ice cream socials, mucial perfomances, and participation in the annual 39-Mile Yard Sale in early November.Dues are affordable for every family, and we welcome you to join.Simply send your check to the address on the left, and be sure to include your name(s), address, email and telehone contact information so that we can keep you informed!
Dues:
Individual: $12 per year
Couples: $18 per year
Families: $24 per year
Mail your check to:
Lake of the Hills Community Center47 East Starr Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33898
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