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.
Orange Park Memories
The Historic Clarke House
In 1910, William Clarke purchased 30 acres in Orange Park to establish a Pecan Grove and family farm. In 1912 the home at 1039 Kingsley Ave. was built and, over time, several outbuildings were added. Of these, three structures remain-the wagon shed, the garage and one two-bedroom worker cabin. When Mr. Clarke passed in 1943, Mrs. Clarke
In 1910, William Clarke purchased 30 acres in Orange Park to establish a Pecan Grove and family farm. In 1912 the home at 1039 Kingsley Ave. was built and, over time, several outbuildings were added. Of these, three structures remain-the wagon shed, the garage and one two-bedroom worker cabin. When Mr. Clarke passed in 1943, Mrs. Clarke covered the walls of the house and three worker cabins with asbestos siding so that, as is recorded in the property rolls at the Clay County Archives, she would “never have to paint again”. The worker cabins provided rental income to Mrs. Clarke for the rest of her life after the Pecan Grove closed.
During the 1910s and 20s, the Clarkes became significant citizens of the town. William Clarke was mayor of Orange Park from 1925-1929. Mrs. Clarke started a Sunday school for children on her spacious porch. This evolved into the First Baptist Church of Orange Park. Mrs. Clarke was encouraged to bid on a piece of land near the Kingsley Ave. wharf and much to her surprise, won the property with a bid of just one dollar. The church’s first building was built there and when the congregation outgrew that, a new church was built right across the street from Mrs. Clarke’s house.
The Clarke home with its open-concept ground floor and welcoming porches, served well for community meetings and gatherings of the First Baptist Church, the Orange Park Woman’s Club, the Garden Club of Orange Park and more. A centerpiece then, as it is now, was Mrs. Clarke’s piano still playable in the parlor.
One fireplace downstairs and
The Clarke home with its open-concept ground floor and welcoming porches, served well for community meetings and gatherings of the First Baptist Church, the Orange Park Woman’s Club, the Garden Club of Orange Park and more. A centerpiece then, as it is now, was Mrs. Clarke’s piano still playable in the parlor.
One fireplace downstairs and a wood-burning stove upstairs were the only heat sources while Mr. Clarke was alive. Electricity came to town in 1924 and the original fuse box, still in place, was erected on the outside of the house, in the back porch area that was later enclosed. The original fuses are still there to see. There are three bathrooms in the structure, unheard of in 1912, but only natural for Mr. Clarke, who was a professional plumber in addition to his Pecan Grove work. The charming farm-style kitchen sink was specifically arranged to accommodate Mrs. Clarke’s short stature.
Every room of the Clarke House is filled with sunshine. The windows are strategically placed to capture any breeze that might cool a Florida home. The windows on the well-covered porch allowed the breeze to come into the home even if it was pouring rain around all the other windows. That L-shaped porch also served as a summer sleeping are
Every room of the Clarke House is filled with sunshine. The windows are strategically placed to capture any breeze that might cool a Florida home. The windows on the well-covered porch allowed the breeze to come into the home even if it was pouring rain around all the other windows. That L-shaped porch also served as a summer sleeping area for the Clarkes, the only family to live there. Mrs. Clarke lived in the home until her death in 1979. Today, the home is owned and maintained by the Town of Orange Park and safeguarded by the Historical Society, as a significant part of local history. Free guided tours are offered every second Sunday of the month from 2-4 PM and on certain special occasions for visitors to enjoy. The Society also offers private tours for fewer than 20 people. These can be arranged by contact info@ophisory.org.
Historical Society of Orange Park History Scholarship
In recent months, the Board has been working out the details of a $1000 scholarship to be offered to eligible seniors at Orange Park High School. The group felt it important to give back to the community and to help a deserving senior as they prepare for college. Prospective applicants must be preparing to enter either a four- or two-year college or career/technical school. Other criteria are: 3.0 GPA, must be representing the school in a respectful manner, be a member of at least one community service organization, and write an essay on the topic – How has history and community service shaped you as a person and prepared you for the future? A grateful thank you goes out to Dairy Queen and Boger’s Shoes for their contributions which helped fund the scholarship. Once the scholarship is awarded, we will publish the winner’s information in the newsletter.
Please consider assisting in funding next year’s scholarship or connecting us with a business that may be willing to be a sponsor.
Carrie Clarke Day
Each year the Society remembers Carrie Clarke for the contributions she made to Orange Park's community. This year we will have live music, performed by Eugene Nix, Wanda Dillaberry and Steve Ferguson on the front lawn. Historical displays will be presented, free guided tours of the Clarke House will be conducted, books will be available for sale and more. The activities will begin at 2 pm and conclude at 5 pm. Come learn about this amazing Orange Park citizen and enjoy the charm of her home, made especially charming with the addition of fresh arrangements throughout. Follow our Facebook page for more at Miss Carrie.
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
428 Park Avenue and 372 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
New Way Hearing Aids
1494 Park Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
Nix Construction Co.
441 Stowe Avenue, Suite B
Orange Park, FL 32073
Carpet Man Flooring, Inc.
1988 Wells Road
Orange Park, FL 32073
