Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Feb. 26, 2003

The Historic Bok Sanctuary lives on

During the endless World War II days of uncertainty and stress, President Roosevelt often spoke longingly of that remote paradise Shangri-La immortalized in James Hilton's novel Lost Horizons.

Today's world is once again threatened by the unknown, and few can say they do not feel stressed. There is an American Shangri-La as close as Lake Wales, Florida. For years this peaceful place was known as Bok Tower Gardens, but late last year the name was changed to Historic Bok Sanctuary. A few hours on these quiet lovely grounds soothes turbulent emotions.

When President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the 245-acres to the American people in 1929, it was known as the Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower. The news stories dubbed it the "Taj Mahal of America." The acreage has the distinction of sitting atop a 298-foot elevation, the highest in penisular Florida and it is often known as "Florida's Higher Place." Soon this lovely retreat from the cares of the world was known by the name Bok Tower Gardens, and since 1929 about 23 million visitors have toured the grounds.

The Mission Statement has remained the same as it was from the beginning. To perpetuate the dream of its founder and friends, to present mankind with "a spot which would reach out in its beauty to the people, and fill their souls with the quiet, the repose, the influence of the beautiful," and "through tree, shrub, flowers, birds, superb architecture, the music of the bells, and the sylvan setting" provide for visitors a retreat of "natural beauty, a refuge for the bird, and a place for the student of southern plant and bird life".

The man responsible for this gift to those seeking escape from life's pressures was Edward William Bok. Born in the Netherlands in 1863, his family came to Brooklyn, NY, when he was 6 years old. Typical immigrants the Bok family lived in poverty, but young Edward worked hard to improve himself. He received a public school education, and in his late teens he went to night school and worked days in the book publishing business.

After four years he went out on his own and established the Bok Syndicate Press. He developed a full page of features aimed at women's interests and the "Bok page" became a popular addition in many newspapers. This interest in women's issues caught the eye of the publisher of The Ladies Home Journal, and Bok was offered the editorship of that magazine. He held that position for the next 30 years, until he retired.

Under his leadership, the magazine crusaded for woman's suffrage, wildlife conservation, clean cities and towns. It opposed billboards along roads and pointed out the dangers of public drinking cups. It broke the taboo about discussing venereal disease openly. One of Bok's boldest moves was his announcement in 1892 that he would no longer accept patent medicine advertising. That resulted in the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906.

Retirement only gave him more time to do good deeds and establish awards and programs to benefit the country and its people. He wrote books and received the Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography. It was during his final years he developed the Mountain Lake Sanctuary and built the "singing tower" with its 71-bell carillon. He commissioned Frederick Law Olmstead to design the gardens.

He lived to see that dream completed with the dedication in 1929. William Edward Bok died in January 1930, but Historic Bok Sanctuary lives on.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.