Winter Haven, FL
Music connected to Winter Haven
About Winter Haven
- • Grammy-winning country singer Jake Owen hails from Winter Haven.
- • Water ski shows originated at Cypress Gardens, now LEGOLAND Florida.
- • The citrus industry and its transportation via rail spurred early growth.
- • Legend says a massive alligator named 'Old Joe' once inhabited Lake Cannon.
- • The devastating freeze of 1962 severely impacted the citrus crop.
- • Named for its mild winters, it was incorporated in 1911.
- • Boasting 49,219 residents, it's smaller than nearby Lakeland.
- • At 131 feet, it's slightly elevated compared to Florida's coastline.
- • Tourism and hospitality are major contributors to the local economy.
- • It feels relaxed, with a charming, small-town atmosphere and natural beauty.
- • The Orlando Magic, roughly an hour away, won the Eastern Conference in 2009.
- • Cypress Gardens hosted several water ski tournaments, pioneering the sport.