Bok Tower

Imagine a secluded garden setting where the peace and beauty of nature combine to transport you to another world. The sun streams through a canopy of trees and highlights plants and delicate blooms. The gentle sound of the wind carries the songs of many birds. The magnificent sounds of the bells of the carillon drift across acres of gardens.

In 1921, Edward W. Bok was spending the winter months in the residential mountain lake community located adjacent to the highest hill of Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, 298 feet above sea level. He enjoyed taking evening walks to the top of "Iron Mountain," among the virgin pines and sandhill scrub, to enjoy Florida's dramatic sunsets and bird life. The idea came to him to preserve this hilltop and create a bird sanctuary - a place of beauty, serenity and peace.

In all the natural beauty of the gardens he created, Bok believed something was missing. Remembering the glorious sound of carillons in his native Holland, he decided to build a beautiful tower as the focal point of the Sanctuary which would be crowned by a large carillon.

Historic Bok Sanctuary offers visitors Florida's most abundant opportunities for aesthetic, cultural and personal enrichment.  The lush landscapes of the Olmsted gardens, the majesty and music of the carillon tower and the splendor of Pinewood Estate create an experience that inspires all who visit.