Lake Park Christian Church worshipers decided that 1922 was opportune for a move and decided to strap each corner of their steepled building to its own four wheeled dolly. A cable connected the two front and two rear dollies. A pair of cables were then lashed from the front of the church to a 'skidder', a rotating spool-like drum supported by a turntable sunk partially into the road. Single mule power turned the skidder. With each rotation cable wound onto the skidder, which inched the structure gingerly on its journey. Progress was halted several times so the skidder could be moved up the road. Once at the new site, which the church occupies today, the cable contraption was moved to the rear of the building and the mule heaved it into place.

Churches were not the only things moving in the 1920s. So were people. And that fostered a new breed of entrepreneurs: land speculators itching to develop balmy and thinly populated Georgia and Florida acreage.

One such developer was Burton Lee Mank. He glanced from Lake Park up U.S.41 in 1926 and eyed a pair of popular lakes, Ponce De Leon and Balboa. Mank figured they were ideal for his notion of a "master suburb" named twin Lakes. He reportedly spent millions to construct roads, bridges, and concrete entrances that would lead to the home lots he would sell.

Mank was nothing if not a master marketer. Twin Lakes grandly opened March 3rd, 1925 to lure prospective land buyers from Georgia and Florida. Guests shimmied to a live orchestra and nibbled barbecue while Mank busily brokered deals. By day's end his sales tallied some 150 parcels, But he wasn't finished. Two weeks later his Twin Lakes Country Club opened charging a $1 admission.

Today furniture is no longer stuffed with spanish moss. Valdosta has remained the Lowndes County seat. Lake Park Christian Church has stayed where the mule placed it. King cotton is regaining its regal status, and Burton Lee Mank likely would be overjoyed to see Interstate 75 bustling along.

Lake Park celebrated its centennial in 1991 and dedicated the Lake Park Historical Society. Ewell Brown's general Store now houses the Lake Park Museum and brims with family histories and artifacts. It's on the National Register of Historic Places.

Perhaps William Wisebaker, with his fortuitous admiration of Lake park's serene beauty, would grin broadly at all the thoughtful progress. He might have further enjoyed that Lake Park now produces the healthful carrot in such bounty that it shares the title "Carrot Capital of the South" with neighboring Echols County.

As a century of tradition dictates, visitors to Lake Park are warmly welcomed. The residents are confident. They know that the newcomers will enjoy their stay whether for a week or a lifetime.