Bok Sanctuary & Tower

Anywhere in Florida, climbing just a few feet above sea level is quite an accomplishment. Find your way above 200 feet, and you're practically in the mountains. So it makes sense that the highest point in the Florida Peninsula would be marked with something special. That special something is Bok Tower, the centerpiece of the Bok Sanctuary.

Bok Tower and reflecting pool

The Bok Sanctuary and Tower is a bit difficult to find, which is surprising, since it's the tallest thing around. Your best bet is to drive to Winter Haven (From Orlando, take I-4 west to US 27 south), then watch for signs. At some point, it will feel like you're driving away from the tower, but don't worry.

Back in the early 1920's, a magazine and book publisher by the name of Edward Bok spent his winters in Polk County, and often watched the sunsets from the top of Iron Mountain, the highest hill on Lake Wales Ridge. The serenity and beauty of the place convinced him to preserve it as a bird sanctuary. A few years later, he decided the gardens he had created needed a centerpiece, and the carillon tower was constructed.

Edward Bok managed the Bok Syndicate Press, which published the Ladies' Home Journal in the late 1800's. It was the first magazine in the world to top 1-million subscribers.

Tower through the trees

Bok Tower rises 205 feet above the surrounding gardens. Look closely, and you'll see the attention to detail that went into its design: sculpted stone, with an art deco and gothic style. Inside, there's a 60-bell carillon that plays on the hour, along with recitals every day.

You'll find plenty more fun facts about the tower and the sanctuary at the Bok Sanctuary website, which is where I gathered many of my facts.

Iron fence at the base of the tower

There's much more to admire than the carillon tower. There are plenty of hiking and walking trails that circle the top of the hill. Most are lined with flowerbeds, which seem to always be blooming. There's a wildlife viewing cabin with a large window, and you'll probably see everything from birds to squirrels to lizards.

Lizard at Bok Sanctuary

You can easily spend a couple of hours milling around, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the sanctuary. Kids might grow a little bored, but at least there's plenty of room for running around.

Bok Sanctuary looks much different than it did before the hurricane season of 2004. Of the four hurricanes that crossed Florida that year, three passed over Polk County. At one point, one local TV newscast reported the tower had collapsed. While in reality, the tower survived, many tree limbs didn't. So, if the admission of $8 seems a bit steep, just keep in mind the massive amount of clean-up it took to restore the sanctuary.

Park benches at amphitheatre

On your way out, stop by the sanctuary's large gift shop, or the cafe.

Florida Home | Florida Hotels | Next Page: Lake Wales - Spook Hill >>>

Home > Destinations >
Bok Tower



	Lake Wales Haines City Winter Haven Lakeland Avon Park Sebring ----All Cities---- Adventura Alachua Altamonte Springs Amelia Island Apalachicola Apopka Arcadia Atlantic Beach Aventura Avon Park Bal Harbour Baldwin Boca Raton Bonita Beach Bonita Springs Bowling Green Boynton Beach Bradenton Brandon Brooksville Bushnell Cape Canaveral Cape Coral Captiva Celebration Chiefland Chipley Clearwater Clearwater Beach Clermont Clewiston Cocoa Cocoa Beach Coconut Grove Coral Gables Coral Springs Crestview Crystal River Cutler Ridge Cypress Gardens Dania Dania Beach Davenport Davie Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores Deerfield Beach Defuniak Springs Deland Delray Beach Deltona Destin Duck Key Dunedin East Palatka Elkton Ellenton Fern Park Fernandina Fernandina Beach Fisher Island Florida City Fort Lauderdale Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Breeze Haines City Hallandale Heathrow Hernando Hialeah Hialeah Gardens Highland Beach Hollywood Homestead Hutchinson Island Indialantic Indian Rocks Beach Islamorada Jacksonville Jacksonville Beach Jasper Jensen Beach Juno Beach Jupiter Key Biscayne Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lady Lake Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lake Mary Lake Placid Lake Wales Lake Worth Lakeland Lamont Lantana Lauderdale By The Sea Leesburg Lisbon Little Torch Key Live Oak Longboat Key Longwood Lynn Haven Macclenny Madison Manalapan Marathon Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Merritt Island Miami Miami Beach Miami Lakes Miami Springs Micanopy Midway Milton Miramar Monticello Mount Dora Mulberry Naples Navarre Neptune Beach New Port Richey New Smyrna Beach Niceville North Bay Village North Fort Myers North Miami North Palm Beach North Tampa Oakland Park Ocala Ocoee Okeechobee Oldsmar Orange City Orange Park Orlando Ormond Beach Osprey Palm Bay Palm Beach Palm Beach Gardens Palm Beach Shores Palm Coast Palm Harbor Panama City Panama City Beach Pembroke Pines Pensacola Pensacola Beach Perdido Key Perry Pinellas Park Plant City Plantation Pompano Pompano Beach Ponte Vedra Beach Port Charlotte Port Richey Port Saint Lucie Punta Gorda Quincy River Ranch Riviera Beach Ruskin Safety Harbor Saint Augustine Saint Augustine Beach St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Beach Sanford Sanibel Santa Rosa Beach Sarasota Satellite Beach Seaside Sebastian Sebring Seffner Siesta Key Silver Springs Singer Island Spring Hill Starke Stuart Sun City Center Sunny Isles Sunny Isles Beach Sunrise Tallahassee Tamarac Tampa Tarpon Springs Tavares Tavernier Temple Terrace The Villages Titusville Treasure Island Venice Vero Beach Weeki Wachee Wesley Chapel West Melbourne West Palm Beach Weston Wildwood Winter Haven Winter Park Yulee Zephyrhills

View this website's best photos in the Gallery