📜 A Slice of Lakeland History You Might’ve Missed!
Did you know the Polk County Tax Collector’s Office has roots that stretch all the way back to 1861 — when Polk County was first established and the Sheriff doubled as the Tax Collector? 👀
Fast forward through the decades, and this office has grown right alongside our community:
🗓️ 1934: The office took on a new role — issuing automobile tags 🚗 (thanks to Chapter 16085 of the 1933 Legislative Acts).
🏪 1953: A brand-new Publix Super Market No. 15 opened its doors right here in Lakeland — in the same art-deco building that would later become the Tax Collector’s Office!
🛒 1964: The Publix store retired, but the building’s story was just beginning.
🏗️ 2013: The site was beautifully renovated and re-opened as the Lakeland Service Center, preserving its iconic 1950s architecture and hometown charm.
⭐ Today: Under the leadership of Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder (serving since 1997), the Lakeland Service Center stands as a true blend of history, function, and community pride.
From a grocery store to a government landmark, this building tells a story that’s uniquely Lakeland — one that connects our past to our present. 💚
#LakelandFL #PolkCountyHistory #LakelandHometownPride #CentralFlorida #HistoricLakeland #LakelandHometownProperties
