532 S Wilson Avenue - Built 1925
Uncovering Lakeland's Hidden Histories: The Story of 532 Wilson Avenue!
Did you know some of Lakeland's most iconic homes hold fascinating stories within their walls? We love digging into the past, and today we're thrilled to share a glimpse into one of the Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District's grandest residences!
You might know the old McDonald house that once stood where Roberts Academy is today – a true gem of the original Biltmore Park subdivision. It was home to William McDonald, the visionary contractor who developed Biltmore Park, moving in during construction and staying through the 1940s. His legacy, along with other subdivisions, eventually blossomed into our beloved Historic District!
From Grand Beginnings to a Century of Stories!
But there's another "largest home" with an equally captivating past, celebrating a major milestone this year: 532 Wilson Avenue is turning 100!
Built in 1925, just as Biltmore Park was opening its lots for sale, this magnificent 3-story home was the residence of John E. Ballinger, Vice President of the William P. McDonald Construction Company. John and his wife, Ruth, moved into their brand-new home from 219 E Riggins, just a block south of Lake Morton, making this substantial house on a substantial lot their family's haven for over 40 years. Imagine, in 1930, they even employed three house servants to help keep it running!
John, a civil engineer from Virginia, married Ruth Nolan in 1915. With Ruth's father also a builder, construction truly ran in their blood! By 1920, John and William McDonald, both associated with the William P. McDonald Construction Company of New York, found themselves in bustling Lakeland amidst a land development boom and they never left. While William purchased the Clayton house on the south side of the new subdivision, John decided to build his family's dream home on the north side, right on Wilson Avenue.
The Ballinger’s raised their four daughters – Helen, Ruth, Martha, and Charlotte – in this beautiful home. John eventually ventured out to start his own business, the Ballinger Road Construction Company, with daughters Helen and Betty even working as typists! Their family lived at 532 Wilson Avenue for decades, a testament to the home's enduring charm and comfort. John passed in 1943, followed by Ruth in 1967.