The Florida Baptist Orphanage was first instituted in 1899 when the FL Baptist Association decided at a convention held in Ocala, FL that such an institution was needed. Arcadia offered the best inducements and a site was selected there. In 1902 the orphanage was chartered, and by 1904 the first small building was completed and the first orphan taken in. In July of 1948 the orphanage was moved to its present location in Lakeland, Polk Co, FL.