Lake Placid, Florida — Est. 1961

Help Shape the Future of Lake Placid Tower

An iconic landmark stands at a crossroads. Once the tallest concrete-block structure in the world, the Lake Placid Tower is part of our shared history — and its next chapter is yours to help write.

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240ftTower Height

1961Year Built

100+Lakes Visible

65+Years History

Our Landmark

A Piece of Lake Placid History

Built in 1961, the Lake Placid Tower once held the record as the tallest concrete-block structure in the world. For decades it welcomed visitors from across the country — and now, it stands at a crossroads.

1961

Built as a tourism landmark, it rose 240 feet above Highlands County and could be seen for miles in every direction.

100+ Lakes

On a clear day, visitors could spot over 100 lakes stretching across the Florida landscape — a view unlike anywhere else in the state.

Generations

Families, school groups, tourists and locals all share memories tied to this tower. It belongs to our collective story.

What's Next?

The tower's future is still being written — and your voice matters. Share your memories and ideas to help shape what comes next.

Jean M. Whitaker with daughters Belinda and Cathy pointing out the view from the Lake Placid Tower observation deck in the mid-1960s

Historical Spotlight · Mid-1960s

Jean M. Whitaker & Daughters on the Observation Deck

Jean M. Whitaker — who along with his brother, Jerry T. Whitaker, purchased the tower in 1964 from original owner Earnest Oakly Hunt (Air View Corporation) — points out the endless citrus groves and shimmering lakes to daughters Belinda and Cathy in the mid-1960s.

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