THE BOK TOWER GARDENS--
And it's Singing Carillon






"Fifty acres of ferns, palms, oaks and pines fashion a lush backdrop of flowering foilage and the spectacular seasonal color of azeleas, camelias and magnolias showcase an ever-changing work of art," in this National Historic Landmark located in Lake Wales, FL.

The 50 acre garden was established in 1929 by Edward Bok.  When Bok immigrated to the US from the Netherlands at age 6 he did not understand the language or the culture.  He went on to become a highly successful publisher and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Empowered by his success he purchased the site on high land near Lake Wales, developed it and presented his prize to the American people as a gift for the opportunities our country had given him.

More than 23 million visitors have since enjoyed his creation which features not only the carillon but also a delightful visitor's center and a 1930's Mediterranean Mansion.   The visitor's center (above and left) proclaims the location as being "America's Taj Mahal".

The carillon was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge and features world-class carillonneurs playing its 60 bells in twice-daily, 30 minute concerts.

The Pinewood Estate mansion features self-guided tours of its grounds (right) with guided tours of the interior available by a seperate fee.  We were pleased to discover Bok honored our membership in Vero Beach's McKee Botanical Garden with free admittance to their facility.

Another enjoyable feature of the grounds is called "Window by the Pond"; a small, three sided structure open on the side away from the pond so visitors can enter and view the pond's wildlife without being observed themselves.

Today the 50 acres of lushly landscaped gardens are surrounded by working fruit orchards bringing the site to a total of 130 acres including a newly established 1.5 mile nature trail.

While discussing the garden's wildlife with a staff member, he mentioned gopher tortoises then invited us to accompany him along a maintenance road not usually available to tourists where we found the one on the right enjoying the afternoon's sunlight.

Occasionally life grants you a bonus.  This garden is one of them.