Explore Captivating Murals In Lake Placid

By Robin O’Neal Smith Associate Editor RobinONealSmith.com

Lake Placid, Florida, offers an extraordinary visual feast celebrating the fusion of history, culture, and community spirit. Named “America’s Most Interesting Town” by Reader’s Digest in 2013, this charming place is not just another pin on the map—it’s a gallery without walls, an open-air museum that creates a scavenger hunt of sorts.

Through my recent visit to the area, I discovered why the Murals of Lake Placid are more than mere embellishments on the sides of buildings—they are narratives painted on the canvas of the town itself.

Historical Canvas Painted in Colors and Sound

Imagine stumbling upon a place where every wall whispers tales from decades past, and every corner springs a novel surprise; that’s Lake Placid for you. The warm spirit of this town is palpably etched across numerous murals, each one a reflection of the rich tapestry that has shaped its identity.

One standout piece is the Town of Murals - How It All Began. The vivid depiction of Lake Placid Mural Society founders Bob and Harriet Porter by celebrated artist Keith Goodson perfectly introduces this visual odyssey.

The Porters traveled on a motorcycle throughout Canada and the United States during the summer months. On one of their trips, they visited Vancouver Island, B.C., and found 32 murals depicting a small town’s history. They decided they were going to paint murals in Lake Placid.

Upon their return, they commissioned their first mural. Today, over 150 pieces of art are displayed, including murals, benches, trash containers, and others.

A Scavenger Hunt Adorning the Town

What sets these murals apart is the playful addition of hidden items, a scavenger hunt that invites closer inspection and turns the viewing experience into an interactive game. The murals beckon visitors to look a little longer and a little closer, transforming spectators into active participants in a town-wide puzzle.

Soundscapes Blending with Brushstrokes

In a blend of auditory and visual storytelling, Cracker Trail Cattle Drive, also by Keith Goodson, not only delights the eyes with its depiction of historic cattle drives but enchants the ears with the authentic sounds of cattle yips and moos. This auditory element adds a living dimension to the mural, making the figures in the painting almost leap off the wall as the eyes of some cattle follow you as you walk by.

Tracing the Steps of History through Art

● The Old Post Office: A mural sprawled across one of the former homes of the Lake Placid post office, illustrating its evolution from mule-carried mail to contemporary times.

● The Talk of The Town: Richard Currier takes you through the nuances of telephonic advancement, harking back to the days when a PBX board connected calls.

● Tea at Southwinds: The Lake Placid Mural Society’s inaugural mural welcomes viewers to reimagine the town’s heydays, attended by the elite.

● Our Citrus Heritage and Train Depot: Chronologies detailing the citrus industry’s growth and the significance of the railroad, reinforcing the foundations that built Lake Placid.

A Picture-Perfect Postcard and Other Stories

But it isn’t all about history and culture. There’s whimsy too! Post Card Mural crafted by Joseph Starkweather invites visitors to become part of the mural themselves, creating snapshots that double as delightful greetings from Lake Placid.

The Rose Man by Roger Cooke is a loving tribute to Willard Campbell’s sweet-scented legacy of delivering roses every day. At the same time, Toby’s Clown School by John Gutcher celebrates Lake Placid’s place in clown history. Did you know Lake Placid boasts more clowns per capita than any other town in Florida?

Beyond the Murals -

An Artistic Metropolis

Art extends beyond murals in Lake Placid. Artistic Trash Containers dotted the town, and other artworks like The Top Truck near the Historical Society or the bronze Florida Black Bear and Cubs serve as additional landmarks, turning the town into an artist’s palette.

Feeling the Artistic Pulse of Lake Placid

Throughout the town, some murals boast brilliant hues, while others adopt more subdued tones, but each carries an allure meant to beckon you closer, stirring a sense of wonder and the desire to explore.

Each artwork, from the energetic strokes of Stuck in Time highlighting Swain Bowers’s career to the peaceful Jewels of Highlands County celebrating the natural beauty of the region, invites onlookers not just to observe but to partake in the collective memory and ongoing narrative that is Lake Placid.

Final Thoughts

Lake Placid’s murals are more than art; they are a heartwarming embodiment of a community that values its history while engaging visitors in unexpected and delightful ways. The murals entice with the promise of discovery—not just of the town’s storied past but of one’s delight in the playful pursuit of hidden treasures within each painterly scene.

For anyone looking for a reason to explore the depths of Florida beyond its beaches and theme parks, the Murals of Lake Placid offer a mesmerizing alternative, a cultural detour bathed in color and brimming with stories waiting to be told and retold by those who witness them.

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