By Yasmene Warren
Picture this: You’re flying in from out of state enjoying the picturesque views from the comfort of your window seat as you pass over a serene, crystalline lake with seemingly ant-sized swans swimming around and a vibrant rainbow amphitheater staring back at you from below. You know you’ve made it home.
Lake Eola, known as the heart of Downtown Orlando, is more than just a beauty to behold. There’s a rich history behind these waters, and we’re here to walk you through every minute detail it has to offer!
How Did Lake Eola Come to Be?
Lake Eola wasn’t always “Lake Eola.” The “Cattle King of Florida,” better known as Jacob Summerlin, is the city of Orlando’s first permanent settler and began calling this city home in 1873. He bought 200 acres of land that we know today as Downtown Orlando.
In Florida fashion, a sinkhole made itself at home at the edge of his property. Lying 200 feet beneath the earth was a natural aquifer. Couple that with the floods from stormwater, and this sinkhole quickly transformed into a gorgeous lake.
Locals began regarding this area as “Sandy Beach,” and it became a sensational way to beat the Florida heat for all the incoming settlers. The Summerlins later donated the land around the lake for public use in 1883.
Where this lake got its name remains one of the city’s greatest mysteries. One rumor notes that Summerlin’s son, Robert, renamed the lake after his fiancée, who died of typhoid fever.
However, this longstanding rumor was debunked by Eve Bacon in the 70s in her centennial history of Orlando. An interview with Robert’s brother from the 1930s suggests that Eola was merely a woman both he and Robert knew. No further details were provided, and the mystery still stands.
By 1888, Lake Eola was informally regarded as a public park and became officially recognized as one in 1892. It has since undergone a slew of improvements and renovations to become known as the beautiful park we know and love today!
Credit: City of Orlando
Lake Eola’s Landmarks
One of Lake Eola’s most prominent features is especially hard to miss: the Lake Eola fountain. The first fountain was originally built in 1912 and became a major postcard focal point for tourists. Age later caught up to this fountain, however, and by the late 1950s, it was replaced by the “Centennial Fountain,” which we know today as the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain.
Credit: City of Orlando
By day, the fountain shoots a stunning display of jets. By night, it’s illuminated by colorful lights, putting on a dazzling, musically choreographed show for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
Venturing around the park, you may have also noticed the large, red, Asian-style pavilion, better known as the Chinese Ting. This landmark is an authentic structure gifted to the city from Shanghai by Chinese-American scientist Dr. Nelson Ying as a symbol of friendship with our sister city in Guilin, China. Ying and Mayor Bill Frederick embarked on a three-week trip to China to properly negotiate the connection between our two cities in 1987.
Credit: City of Orlando
In a similar effort to establish a friendship between cities comes Lake Eola’s Japanese Rock Garden. The mayor of Tainan, Taiwan, sent the city of Orlando a giant piece of black marble from the mountains of Hua-Lien in 1983.
This rock was gifted with instructions to display it inside Walt Disney World, but because the theme park doesn’t reside within city limits, the theme park giant regarded the request as a mistake and left it up to the city of Orlando to decide what to do with it.
The rock remained in storage for years awaiting its new home. City employees regarded it as “the Mayor’s pet rock!” Once the Japanese Rock Garden was officially built in 1988, the black marble found itself a new home as the garden’s centerpiece.
As previously stated, the giant rainbow amphitheater at Lake Eola cannot be missed. Known formally as the Walt Disney Amphitheater, this spot is a park staple. It frequently hosts a variety of live concerts and performances throughout the year. In 2016, the bandshell’s rings were repainted with pride colors in honor of the lives lost in the Pulse Shooting.
Credit: City of Orlando
Things to Do at Lake Eola
Lake Eola is more than just a body of water and some grass; there’s loads to do!
Every Sunday, Lake Eola hosts the Orlando Farmers Market, which boasts a variety of local vendors selling handmade food and goods.
Fitness lovers can walk the scenic route around the lake that spans nearly a mile and admire the breathtaking views of the city’s skyline.
Whether you’re looking for romantic date ideas or you simply want to work on your paddle boating skills, there’s something just for you. Lake Eola offers swan paddle boat rides six days a week at just $15 for a 30-minute rental — giving new meaning to a bird’s-eye view!
If you’re looking for more variety, Lake Eola hosts a number of events throughout the year. From seasonal festivals to holiday celebrations, there’s always something to do.
Fun Facts About the Lake Eola Swans
Lake Eola is all about its swans. Swans first came to the park in 1922 after being separated from another breed being raised on Lake Lucerne. The ancestors of those same swans are still alive and well today.
These swans are so loved, each one is microchipped and has up-to-date medical records. They receive annual check-ups at the Lake Eola Swan Round-up to ensure they stay happy and healthy!
If they’re hanging around while you’re in town, feel free to feed them leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, or the duck pellet food found throughout the park!
Overall
Downtown Orlando will never stop growing, and Lake Eola remains a steadfast symbol of the city’s development. This park makes for a perfect escape to scenic bliss and holds a lot of history in its heart. Be a part of the growth and history by calling Lake Eola your new home — our team would love to help you make it happen!
The Orlando Real is sponsored by The Pozek Group. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Orlando, reach out and we would love to help!
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