Mr. Crespo has pointed out that the City has spent $956,742.78 on the Depot Museum in just the last nine years. That’s right, $956,742.78! But, that’s only part of the story. Lake Wales was deeded the Depot on December 26th, 1995, from the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company. Then, on September 21, 2010, the City Commission passed Resolution 2010-21 conveying ownership of the Depot Museum to Historic Lake Wales Society because the City no longer wanted the “responsibility of the continuing operation, maintenance and repair of the historical facilities (Depot).

However, it is what has transpired between 1995 (getting Depot) and 2010 (giving away Depot) that is the most fascinating.