Welcome to the Historical Society of Orange Park
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Clarke House Tours
The Clarke House, built in 1912 and located in Clarke House Park, 1039 Kingsley Avenue, is open for tours the second Sunday of each month from 2 PM to 4 PM. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for a leisurely tour of the house, both upstairs and downstairs.
WWII P-51 Airplane Crash Walking History Tour
On July 20, 1944, a tragic event unfolded that would leave an indelible mark on the small community of Riverside. Two P-51 Mustang fighter planes, known for their speed and agility during World War II, attempted to buzz the childhood home of one of the pilots.
Both pilots were young and full of promise, representing the hopes and aspirations of their community. As the planes approached, they came in too low, resulting in a catastrophic sequence of events. Trees were clipped, both aircraft crashed, homes and garages were destroyed, and the pilots killed.
The community was left in a state of disbelief and mourning as residents grappled with the loss of not just two promising lives but also the devastation that followed.
Such tragedies remind us of the fragility of life and how quickly joy can turn into sorrow.
On Monday, July 20, members of the Historical Society of Orange Park are invited to join Society Vice President Bob Scallan for a walking tour of Riverside to hear the compelling story of how two 2nd Lieutenants disobeyed orders and flew 180 miles off course to meet their untimely deaths. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Bob as indicated on the adjacent graphic.
Orange Park Memories
The Miller-Halligan House
The Miller-Halligan House
The Miller-Halligan House
This month, we feature the Miller-Halligan House, located at 154 Stiles Ave. This unique Colonial Revival home was originally part of the Buckman estate in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. Architectural evidence and comparisons with similar buildings of the style indicate that the building was constructed about 1895.
The Buckman
This month, we feature the Miller-Halligan House, located at 154 Stiles Ave. This unique Colonial Revival home was originally part of the Buckman estate in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. Architectural evidence and comparisons with similar buildings of the style indicate that the building was constructed about 1895.
The Buckman family was prominent in state and local politics. Thomas Buckman, the original owner of the house, served as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Duval County for twenty years. Thomas’ son, Henry Holland Buckman, Sr., built and operated the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad between Jacksonville and Tallahassee. He also served in the State Legislature and was the author of the Buckman Bill of 1905, which consolidated various publicly funded colleges into what are known today at the University of Florida, Florida State University and Florida A&M University. Henry Holland Buckman, Jr. is also the namesake of the Buckman Bridge that connects Orange Park and Mandarin.
The Miller-Halligan House
The Miller-Halligan House
The Buckman house was expanded about 1925 to include a carriage and guest house. By 1951, Courtland Buckman, Thomas Buckman’s youngest son and owner of the house, was interested in selling the carriage house. He found a willing buyer in Ivan Huron Smith, a founding partner in the Reynolds Smith and Hills architectural firm of Jacksonvil
The Buckman house was expanded about 1925 to include a carriage and guest house. By 1951, Courtland Buckman, Thomas Buckman’s youngest son and owner of the house, was interested in selling the carriage house. He found a willing buyer in Ivan Huron Smith, a founding partner in the Reynolds Smith and Hills architectural firm of Jacksonville. Mr. Smith wanted the carriage house for his widowed sister-in-law, Vernice Miller. He arranged to have the house moved. Great pains were taken to transport what had once been the Carriage House of the Buckman estate of Riverside in Jacksonville, Florida to Orange Park’s Stiles Avenue. The building was moved in three sections down the St. John’s River. After placement at its new location, Mr. Smith supervised its remodeling
The Miller-Halligan House
Mrs. Vernice Miller lived there for 35 years until her death in 1986. when it was purchased by Bill and Effie Halligan. Bill Halligan was a New Yorker and a US Army veteran of World War II who enlisted at age 17 by changing his age on his registration card. He had 5 daughters with wife, Martha Jane who died in 1983. He later married Este
Mrs. Vernice Miller lived there for 35 years until her death in 1986. when it was purchased by Bill and Effie Halligan. Bill Halligan was a New Yorker and a US Army veteran of World War II who enlisted at age 17 by changing his age on his registration card. He had 5 daughters with wife, Martha Jane who died in 1983. He later married Ester Mae Young who also had 5 children. They were married 34 years before his death in 2020.
The veterans memorial at magnolia cemetery
Honor a Veteran - Leave a Lasting Legacy
Now is a wonderful time to order a legacy paver in honor of a veteran who has touched your life. Each engraved paver will become a permanent part of the Veterans Memorial at Magnolia Cemetery, preserving their service and sacrifice for generations to come. Consider placing a tribute that tells their story and ensures their legacy is remembered. Order forms are available at the Veterans memorial or via our Veterans Memorial Page. Please note that all engraved pavers ordered by July 31 will be installed prior to this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
Clarke House and Cemetery Tours
Private Guided Tours of Historic Clarke House and Magnolia Cemetery Available
Homeschool, civic and social groups are welcome to schedule a free guided tour of the 1913 historic Clarke House and/or Magnolia Cemetery. For more information, contact the Historical Society of Orange Park at info@ophistory.org. Groups will be scheduled based on the availability of guides.
Got Pics?
Help Document the History of Orange Park
The Society is looking for photographs to add to our resources. If you have long-time-ago images of people and/or places in Orange Park, please share them. In this increasingly visual world, there is a lot to learn from these glimpses of our past. You can share them through email at info@ophistory.org or through mail at P. O. Box 08, Orange Park, 32067. Originals will be returned after the Society makes a scan.
Orange Park Historic Driving Tour
Looking for somewhere to explore or something to do in Clay County? Visit the Explore Clay website, Explore Clay County - Small Towns, Big Passions, for plenty of suggestions.
One of the activities is a tour of historic buildings in Orange Park. This driving tour takes you to 23 historical structures that hold positions of prominence in Orange Park’s history and continue to serve today. Please remember most locations are private residences and should be viewed from the street.
To access the tour visit, download the Explore Clay mobile app from the Explore Clay website or by clicking: Clay County - Mobile App. Once you have the app downloaded, search for the tour then dive into the rich history of Orange Park.
Our Corporate Sponsors
McDonald's
New Way Hearing Aids
New Way Hearing Aids
428 Park Avenue and 372 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL 32073
New Way Hearing Aids
New Way Hearing Aids
New Way Hearing Aids
1494 Park Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
Dairy Queen
New Way Hearing Aids
Dairy Queen
610 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
Carpet Man Flooring, Inc.
1988 Wells Road
Orange Park, FL 32073
Boger's Shoes, Inc.
845 Blanding Blvd.
Orange Park, FL 32073
George W Allen Partners
Grace Episcopal Church
Garden Club of Orange Park
Town of Orange Park
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Orange Park History Tours
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Orange Park History Tours
Boger's Shoes
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Orange Park History Tours
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Paul & Klare Reinhold Foundation
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Barry DiGiovanni
Barry DiGiovanni
Kristin Molina
Barry DiGiovanni