Today the royal descendants of the swans gifted to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth II celebrated their 65th Anniversary on Lake Morton. The swans and ducks enjoyed a vet-approved gluten-free cake to enjoy.
In 1957, the two swans gifted by Queen Elizabeth II arrived on Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland. Since that time, Lakeland’s swans have become iconic figures in the community, and even the City’s logo is fashioned after the birds.
The original swans arrived in Lakeland by Riddle Airlines after a brief stop in Clifton, New Jersey, on February 8, 1957. They were met at the Drane Field Airport by then mayor, Col. E.W. Bowen, City Manager, D.O. Payne, and Chester McDonald, president of the Chamber of Commerce. The entourage traveled by motorcade to Lake Morton where throngs of people crowded to see the Royal Swans. The crowd cheered as their official keeper, Harvey Brock, led them to their new quarters.
