LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland man is making it his mission to recognize 100-year-old homes in the Lake Morton historic district. Michael Maguire presents the homeowners with bronze markers they usually display with pride in their yards.
- 100-year-old homes recognized in Lake Morton
- Homeowners given bronze marker to display in yards
Maguire pays for the eight pound markers out of his own pocket because he believes it’s important for his neighborhood.
“I don’t think about historic preservation. I think about historic perseverance,” said Maguire. “These houses are still alive. They are not just sitting here waiting to get older. They are alive and well and people are taking care of them.”
So far, Maguire has presented dozens of the markers to residents as he confirms the age of their homes or as they turn 100.
He recently presented a marker to Cynthia Young-Jennings. She was thrilled. “Oh my this brings tears to my eyes. It’s really nice. Oh my gosh,” she said.
Resident Ron Tomlin also has one of the markers presented by Maguire. He believes in recognizing the historic homes. “Because that’s where things started. That’s our basis. That’s our roots. And those roots are important.”
Young-Jennings shares the sentiment. “I think older homes have a story to tell,” she said. “I think they should be taken care of. They should be loved. And I think they have their own soul in a way.”