Forrest Lake
Forrest Lake | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Newberry, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 1939 (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, banker, real estate developer |
| Known for | Mayor of Sanford, Florida; Florida House of Representatives; instrumental in creating Seminole County, Florida; convicted of embezzlement |
Forrest Lake (July 15, 1868 – January 24, 1939) was a notable figure in politics, banking, and real estate, serving as the mayor of Sanford, Florida and as a legislator in the Florida House of Representatives. He was instrumental in establishing Seminole County, Florida and was later convicted of embezzlement in 1928, resulting in a prison term of three years out of a fourteen-year sentence.
Early life
Lake was born on July 15, 1868, in Newberry, South Carolina and relocated to Sanford, Florida in 1886 after spending some time in Cuba. Seven years after his arrival, he was elected mayor of Sanford. In 1895, he married Mary Maude Anno in Orlando, Florida.
He played a significant role in persuading the Florida legislature to create Seminole County, Florida by partitioning a section of Orange County, Florida in April 1913, which furthered his political standing. Lake served as a representative for Orange County in the Florida House of Representatives during 1911 and 1913 sessions and later represented Seminole County in 1915 and again in 1923.
Sanford Charter Bill
In 1911, Sanford Heights separated from Sanford due to disagreements over municipal services. To safeguard Sanford’s territorial growth amid neighboring communities such as Goldsboro, Florida, Georgetown, Florida, and Sanford Heights itself, Lake spearheaded initiatives to restrict Sanford Heights’ incorporation. Efforts were also directed at annexing Goldsboro.
On April 6, 1911, the city council of Sanford passed a resolution to annex Goldsboro. Following this action, on April 26, 1911, the Florida legislature enacted the Sanford Charter Bill which revoked the incorporations of both Sanford and Goldsboro and reestablished Sanford’s municipal boundaries to encompass Goldsboro.
Embezzlement
Lake sold his icehouse business in 1913 and established the Seminole County Bank located in Sanford’s Welbourne building. He assumed the presidency alongside other influential local leaders. His real estate investments declined during the downturn following the 1920s land boom. Beginning in 1916, he undertook construction of the Hotel Forrest Lake (later known as the Mayfair Inn) on Lake Monroe; it opened its doors in 1925 with 158 rooms. Despite an initial investment of $500,000, Lake and his partners incurred losses totaling approximately $5 million related to this hotel and associated projects. The Seminole County Bank ceased operations on August 6, 1927. The following year, both Lake and the bank’s vice president A. R. Key faced indictments for embezzling $553,000.
Key admitted guilt and testified against Lake during the trials. After five jury trials, on May 4, 1928, Lake was found guilty on five counts involving bank fraud including embezzlement and improper handling of funds. He received a sentence of fourteen years imprisonment. Lake served sixteen months at Raiford prison before being released on bond pending appeal. His appeal was denied in 1933; he then returned to prison where he served six years before being granted a gubernatorial pardon and having his civil rights restored six months afterwards.
Later life
During the Great Depression, Lake returned to Sanford where he lived in poverty until his death following a short illness on January 24, 1939. He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery beside his wife.