History Lakeland_station

as seen parking lot , drop-off area beneath station itself

the original lakeland station s structure opened south florida railroad in 1886 two-story wooden edifice burned down in 1901. replacement proved inadequate contemporary railroad needs , replaced in 1910 atlantic coast line railroad (acl) one-story brick building. hit fire in february 1918 caused $25,000 worth of damage. building given second story , reopened on january 31, 1919.

the current station s structure built in 1998 replacement 1960-built acl station located 1.1 miles (1.8 km) west of current station. station became seaboard coast line railroad station when acl , seaboard air line railroad merged july 1, 1967. though former station building demolished in 2008, passenger platforms , covers remain. in addition silver star previous station served champion until 1979.

on april 15, 2009, lakeland station made news headlines when decomposed female body discovered passenger waiting late-running train. body identified 34-year-old shawn hazel turk , in august 2011 reginald riggins arrested in connection death. believed mr. riggins had never met victim prior april 9, 2009 (the night of death). riggins later convicted of murdering of turk , sentenced 25 years in prison.

former service

historically, lakeland junction atlantic coast line, north-south line, , east-west line. north, trains went chicago , new york city. south, trains went naples. west, trains went tampa , venice; east, trains went orlando, en route new york city.

named trains making stops in lakeland included: city of miami, dixie flyer, flamingo, havana special, seminole, south wind , west coast champion.