Lake Eola and the park that surrounds it are one of the unusual features that sets the city of Orlando apart from other places. Downtown Orlando, from its earliest days was situated on the west side of the lake. As the town grew into a city, Lake Eola continued to be a focal point for the inhabitants, who used it for bathing, swimming and fishing, while on its shores people picnicked, listened to concerts and religious services.

Much of the land around Lake Eola was donated to Orlando by Jacob Summerlin who designated that it be a public park. It has remained one ever since.

The rest of the park land was donated by the Musselwhite Family and Mayor Frank Sperry.

EARLY IMAGES OF LAKE EOLA

TOP: Lake Eola (looking northeast). From a contemporary postcard (c. 1940)

MIDDLE: Lake Eola (looking west). From a contemporary postcard (c. 1951)

BOTTOM: The skyline of Orlando across Lake Eola (looking west). From a contemporary postcard (c. 1928)

Quotation from the reverse of the card: "This picture embraces much that is typical of Orlando. The skyline across Lake Eola, one of the 31 lakes within the city limits: the flowers, palm and oak its beautification: Memorial High School building on the right and band stand its educational and recreational life: the Angebilt Hotel and two bank buildings its commercial life: the Court House its civic life: the Masonic Temple its fraternal spirit: Rosalind Club its social life and church its religious atmosphere."

BELOW: Modern Lake Eola and one of its resident swan boats, 2002.