Frances Langford came to Lakeland in March 1946 at the request of Lakeland officials and as a guest of Florida Governor Millard Caldwell. The Lakeland native, vocalist and actress, had spent much of WWII helping Bob Hope and the USO entertain the troops. She was coming home to many honors, including being named honorary Lakeland Mayor for the day. But the lasting monument to her dedication was the city’s decision to name the promenade around Lake Mirror in her honor. An honor that endures to this day.