FROSTPROOF CITY HALL

By  Mike Miller December 1, 2025

Frostproof City Hall is a striking Mediterranean Revival structure originally built as the Old Frostproof High School in 1926. 

Constructed during Florida's booming land rush, this T-shaped, two-story masonry structure began serving as the City Hall in the 1990s.

It was designed by prominent architects M. Leo Elliott and Oscar Berg. It has a patterned stucco exterior, low-pitched hipped roof, and ornate towers framing arched entrances.

It’s on the National Historic Register for architecture and education.

Frostproof is located between two lakes: Lake Clinch and Lake Reedy. They named the place “Frost Proof” in 1917 when establishing a post office, betting that the ridge and lakes would spare their groves from freezes.

It was platted in 1918 by local citrus growers led by Samuel E. Grice, right after the railroad arrived. The town incorporated in 1921.

The big 1920s freezes proved the “frost proof” boast overly optimistic, but the name stuck.

In the 1920s, as railroads and real estate fever gripped Polk County, locals commissioned Elliott and Berg to create a school symbolizing progress.

Elliott was a prolific designer of public works like Tampa's City Hall.

It was crafted with a sturdy brick foundation and intricate stucco detailing, with decorative arches and a central bay tower. Construction was completed in 1926.

It educated generations until the 1980s, when the current high school opened. Repurposed as City Hall in the 1990s, it underwent state-of-the-art renovations while preserving its architectural integrity.

The preserved auditorium was saved for community events, a nod to its legacy. The auditorium had served as the heart of the community for school theater, music, assemblies, and local gatherings for decades.

The auditorium was built with a grand stage with a proscenium arch and east-wall details still visible today.

In 1997 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its role in local education and as a prime example of Mediterranean Revival style during the land boom.

The nomination highlights its "high degree of architectural detail," from ornamental stucco patterns to functional yet elegant towers.

Someone you may have heard of who attended the old Frostproof High School is former NFL wide receiver Alvin Harper.

He won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Another Frostproof native was Ben Hill Griffin Jr. (1920–1990), a citrus industry titan whose empire shaped Florida's agriculture.

Ranked among America's richest in 1989, he donated millions to the University of Florida, naming its stadium after him. He is on our Famous Floridians in History page. 

Today this quiet town of 3,000 still calls itself the Friendly City and keeps the century-old marketing slogan with a smile. The old High School lives on at Frostproof City Hall.

City Hall anchors the historic district at 111 West 1st Street, Frostproof, FL 33843. It's easily accessible via US-27 or scenic SR-17.

It's open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, for self-guided exploration of the lobby, council chambers, and auditorium. Remember that people work there.

There’s plenty of parking available and accessibility ramps. For tours or events, call 863-635-7855.

Pair your visit with the free Frostproof Historical Trail starting here, with plaques detailing citrus lore and architecture.

CITY OF FROSTPROOF WEBSITE

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