[1][Note 1] The original Lakeland station's structure was opened by the South Florida Railroad in 1886 as a two-story wooden edifice that burned down in 1901.

Named trains making stops in Lakeland included the City of Miami, Dixie Flyer, Flamingo, Floridian, Havana Special, Palmetto, Seminole, South Wind and West Coast Champion.

[citation needed] Construction began in November 1959 for a new station, funded by the city, west of the downtown area.

On April 15, 2009, a decomposed female body was discovered by a passenger waiting for a late-running train.

[5] The body was identified as 34-year-old Shawn Hazel Turk; in August 2011, Reginald Riggins was arrested in connection with her death.