Welcome to the Historical Society of Orange Park
Let's make our community a better place!
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Hello there!
Caring for our Neighbors
Taking care of our neighbors makes for a stronger community. Looking out for one another ensures a safer and happier neighborhood. When we all do a little, we can do so much!
Moonlight on Magnolia
Saturday, October 28, Moonlight on Magnolia returns!
The Society will conduct tours through Magnolia Cemetery to share the town’s history with visitors. Along the way we will meet “former residents” of the town who will share stories of their time in Orange Park. Tours will begin at 4 PM and continue at regular intervals. The last tour will start at 6 PM.
Tours will follow the paved roads within the cemetery and take approximately 45 minutes so please plan accordingly. This is a free, community event. Donations are appreciated and will be used to further the work of our Society.
Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at info@ophistory.org.
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.
20th Anniversary: Orange Park Memories
The 1990's
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, the Historical Society of Orange Park is highlighting the town’s history, decade by decade. This month we look at Orange Park in the 1990's.
Orange Park reached its population peak in 1990, when its population was 9,471.
The Town bought the Clarke Pecan Grove property in 1991, creating Clarke House Park and paving the way for decades of fun for all ages.
A Historical Survey of the town’s notably historic properties was conducted in 1994 by Mary Anne Study and the Orange Park Woman’s Club. In 1997 they created the River Road Historic District. They led the effort to have the Clarke House listed on the National Register for Historic Homes in 1998.
In 1995, Mayor Earl Harrington installed a time capsule as a new Town Hall was dedicated.
Benevolent organizations, BASCA and the Shepherd’s Center were established.
The original Grumpy’s Restaurant opened in 1999, a dream of a US NAVY cook called Chef Grumpy, "The Bad Mood Dude".
