Bok Tower

1151 Tower Blvd.

Lake Wales, Florida

Bok Tower Gardens is a 250 acre garden and bird sanctuary located atop Iron Mountain.  It was created by Edward William Bok in the 1920s.  The gardens' main attraction is the Singing Tower and its 60 bell carillon.  The Bok Tower architect was Milton B. Medary and the gardens architect was Frederick Law Olmsted's son.  Bok Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places August 21, 1972.  

Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark designted April 19, 1993. 

In 1923, Olmsted Jr. embarked on his mission to transform Bok Tower Gardens from a sand hill into one of the nation's most beautiful garden sanctuaries.  For the next five years, Olmsted Jr. and his team diligently planted a mix of native and exotic plants thta would thrive in the humid climate and lend a tropical feel to the native oak hammock.  From a practical perspective, Olmsted also carefully selected plants that would provide a hearty supply of food and shelter for migrating birds and other wildlife in the Gardens. The pathways leading up to the Singing Tower wind through the Olmsted historic landscape gardens.  When visitors reach the top, a majestic view of the entire Tower is revealed in the Reflection Pool, showcasing one of Florida's most photographed sites.  

The 205 foot Singing Tower was build upon one of the highest points of peninsular Florida estimated to be 295 feet above sea level.  The national significance of the gardens and its tower came from its association with Edward Bok and his team of designers.

Edward William Bok

(1863-1930)

At Bok's final resting place at Bok Tower reads this plaque.

    

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.  

In 1925, Bok hired Milton B. Medary to design "the most beautiful tower in the world". The 15 foot wide moat surrounding the tower's base serves as a koi pond.  The Gothic Revival tower sits south of the reflecting pool which reflects its full image. The tower is 51 feet square at its base, changing at the height of 150 feet to an octagon with each of the eight sides 37 feet wide.  It is built of Etowah marble with a characteristic pink, salmon or rose color that comes from quarries near Tate, Georgia and coquina stone from St. Augustine, Florida. Coquina stone can vary in color, but is often a light-colored, porous rock with a granular texture.  The surface texture is often rich with the visible shell fragments. 

Medary assembled a team of top artisans in their fields.  The Art Deco architectural sculpture was designed and executed by Lee Lawrie and depicts Florida flowers.  Metalworker, Samuel Yellin designed and executed the iron interior staircase, the iron gates to the two bridges over the moat and the Great Brass Door which features 30 scenes from the Book of Genesis.  

J. H. Dulles Allen designed and executed the ceramic mosaics including the eight 35-foot tall grilles at the top of the tower.  Horace H. Burrell & Sons of Philadelphia was contractor for the tower.  Construction began in 1927 and was completed two years later. Outgoing President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the tower February 1, 1929.

The American Institute of Architects awarded Medary its 1929 Gold Medal for his Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing tower.  Medary passed six months after the tower's dedication. 

Give to the world the best you have 

and the best will come back to you.

Edward W. Bok