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The prefix "Little" wasn't always part of the name of our lake. Indeed, it's something of a mystery as to precisely when the name was changed. When Sebring was first founded, the southern cove of the lake was simply considered part of Lake Jackson.
The prefix "Little" wasn't always part of the name of our lake. Indeed, it's something of a mystery as to precisely when the name was changed. When Sebring was first founded, the southern cove of the lake was simply considered part of Lake Jackson.
Then shortly after the founding of the town the Lakeview Drive project began. This project included the first "Bridge Across Lake Jackson" as pictured below:
Then shortly after the founding of the town the Lakeview Drive project began. This project included the first "Bridge Across Lake Jackson" as pictured below:
Photo courtesy of Mr. William (Bill) Sebring
It appears that man-made peninsulas were built to keep the bridge length shorter. Remember this was roughly a century ago, when mankind viewed nature as an adversary, something to be conquered. We didn't have the environmental awareness we have today, so such projects were commonplace throughout Florida.
It appears that man-made peninsulas were built to keep the bridge length shorter. Remember this was roughly a century ago, when mankind viewed nature as an adversary, something to be conquered. We didn't have the environmental awareness we have today, so such projects were commonplace throughout Florida.
Around the time of the construction of Harder Hall, a new bridge was built to replace the original bridge. Lakeview drive was also paved and the "drive around the lake" was one of the highlights of Sebring.
Around the time of the construction of Harder Hall, a new bridge was built to replace the original bridge. Lakeview drive was also paved and the "drive around the lake" was one of the highlights of Sebring.
The years went by and State Route 27 was re-routed from running through downtown Sebring to the then undeveloped area west of Lake Jackson. As the population of the area grew, the road's capacity was exceeded. So in the 1960's route 27 was widened into a divided highway and the previous bridge was replaced with the two bridges which stand today.
The years went by and State Route 27 was re-routed from running through downtown Sebring to the then undeveloped area west of Lake Jackson. As the population of the area grew, the road's capacity was exceeded. So in the 1960's route 27 was widened into a divided highway and the previous bridge was replaced with the two bridges which stand today.
To accommodate the wider roadway, the peninsulas were also widened. Please review the picture below. It is a composite of USGS topographic maps of the area, one from 1952 and the other from 1972. As you can see, the eastern peninsula is much larger in 1972 than before.
To accommodate the wider roadway, the peninsulas were also widened. Please review the picture below. It is a composite of USGS topographic maps of the area, one from 1952 and the other from 1972. As you can see, the eastern peninsula is much larger in 1972 than before.
Unfortunately, and probably due to cost considerations, each new bridge was shorter than the last. The existing span effectively separated the water body into two lakes. So we believe the prefix "Little" began to be used after Route 27 was widened. As always, we ask members of our community for assistance. If you have information to add, or pictures of the Route 27 widening project you would like to share, please contact us! We will be happy to post them with credit to you here on our website.
Unfortunately, and probably due to cost considerations, each new bridge was shorter than the last. The existing span effectively separated the water body into two lakes. So we believe the prefix "Little" began to be used after Route 27 was widened. As always, we ask members of our community for assistance. If you have information to add, or pictures of the Route 27 widening project you would like to share, please contact us! We will be happy to post them with credit to you here on our website.
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