Editing Bartow, Florida (section)

===Historic buildings and landmarks===
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Buildings in Bartow, Florida}}[[File:Bartow Swearingen JJ house01.jpg|thumb|right|alt= an old southern neoclassical-styled mansion with manicured lawn and palm trees|The Swearingen House]]The city's Historic Architecture Review Board is responsible for the preservation, enhancement and promotion of historic buildings, landmarks and districts within the city.<ref name="Historic Architecture Review Board">{{cite web
 |url=http://bartow.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={654C54F3-96E5-4A87-B4E6-93AB4B57D613}
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107010903/http://bartow.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B654C54F3-96E5-4A87-B4E6-93AB4B57D613%7D
 |archive-date=November 7, 2006
 |title=Historic Architecture Review Board
 |access-date=2010-10-15
 |publisher=City of Bartow
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> Three districts in the city, [[Bartow Downtown Commercial District|the Bartow Downtown Commercial District]], [[Northeast Bartow Residential District|the Northeast Bartow Residential District]], and [[South Bartow Residential District|the South Bartow Residential District]] have been designated as historic districts.<ref name="Polk County Historic Districts">{{cite web
| url = http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/FL/Polk/districts.html
| title =  Polk County Historic Districts
| access-date=  2010-10-08
| publisher = National Register of Historic Places
}}</ref>  New construction within these districts is regulated by the board and they have the power to veto construction which might alter the character of the neighborhood.<ref name="Historic Architecture Review Board"/>

While the towering oaks and ever-present azalea bushes which spawned the city's nickname give many of the historic landmarks of the city a distinctive [[American South|Southern]] "look and feel", many styles of architecture are represented in Bartow's historic buildings. The South Bartow and Northeast Bartow historic districts are characterized by [[vernacular|masonry vernacular]] and various [[colonial revival|revival]] styles, while downtown is dominated by frame vernacular and [[classical revival]] styles.<ref name="Polk County Historic Districts"/>  Other buildings on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] with distinctive architectural styles include the Thompson and Company Cigar Factory built in a [[Mission Revival Style architecture|Mission Revival Style]] and the L.B. Brown House built with distinctive [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] ornamentation.<ref name="Historic L.B. Brown House">{{cite web
| url = http://www.lbbrown.com/
| title = Historic L.B. Brown House
| access-date=  2010-09-12
| publisher = lbbrown.com
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101012101020/http://www.lbbrown.com/| archive-date= October 12, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The L.B. Brown House is notable as perhaps the only house still standing in Florida built by a freedman.<ref name="Historic L.B. Brown House"/><ref name="L.B. Brown House">{{cite web
| url = http://lbbrown.com/
| title =  L.B. Brown House
| access-date=  2011-11-06
| publisher = lbbrown.com
}}</ref>  The [[Old Polk County Courthouse (Bartow, Florida)|Old Polk County Courthouse]], Bartow's most recognizable symbol seen on its city seal, was built in 1909 in a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style.<ref name="Polk County Historic Districts"/> The [[Polk County Historical Museum (Florida)|Polk County Historical Museum]] is located in the Old Polk County Courthouse and consists of exhibits presenting local and regional history from [[Pre-Columbian era|pre-Columbian]] to present eras, along with a history and genealogical library.

Florida Senator Spessard L. Holland was born in Bartow. His home is located on South Broadway 2 blocks north of Bartow High School. Senator Holland was a founding member of the Holland and Knight Law Firm. The firm's original office was located on South Central Avenue across the street from the Bartow Post Office.

There are several other notable buildings in Bartow which are not on the National Register of Historic Places. The [[Wonderhouse|Wonder House]] at 1075 Mann Road features natural air-conditioning (using rainwater), secluded outdoor bathtubs, and numerous mirrors that let occupants see who is at the door from other parts of the home.<ref name=TheWonderHouse>{{cite web
| url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20081115/COLUMNISTS/811150267?p=2&tc=pg
| title = The Wonder House
| access-date=  2011-11-06
| work = The Ledger
}}</ref> The current owners of the Wonder House are restoring it and plan to open a museum. The Thomas Lee Wilson House, also known as the Stanford Inn, at 555 East Stanford Street was the "Sultenfuss Funeral Parlor" in the movie ''[[My Girl (film)|My Girl]]''.<ref name="The Stanford Inn">{{cite web
| url = http://www.thestanfordinn.com/
| title = The Stanford Inn
| access-date=  2011-11-06
| publisher = The Stanford Inn
}}</ref> The house at 935 South Oak Avenue known as "Windsweep" was the residence used in the movie ''[[China Moon]]''.<ref name="Florida Movies">{{cite web
| url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20081128/COLUMNISTS/811280318?p=1&tc=pg
| title = Florida Movies
| access-date=  2010-10-17
| work = The Ledger
}}</ref>