Welcome to the Historical Society of Orange Park
Let's make our community a better place!
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 McCain House
The McCain House
The McCain House
Each month of this year, we recognize one historic home in Orange Park. This month, in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 19, 2026, we are featuring the John McCain House at 553 Fatio Lane in Orange Park. The house, built in 1958, is a 4-bedroom, 3 bath ranch style, rich in architectural character. It features the influence of Ro
Each month of this year, we recognize one historic home in Orange Park. This month, in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 19, 2026, we are featuring the John McCain House at 553 Fatio Lane in Orange Park. The house, built in 1958, is a 4-bedroom, 3 bath ranch style, rich in architectural character. It features the influence of Robert C. Broward, the celebrated Jacksonville architect, blending Florida traditions with modern features incorporating the natural world.
Broward’s thoughtful mid-century modern details are obvious. With a low, sheltering roofline, featuring generous overhanging eaves, it fosters shade and channels rainwater away from the foundation, one of Broward’s lifelong obsessions. Clerestory windows sit high above eye level, bringing natural light and ventilation while also providing privacy. This is a nod to what he admired in architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.
Inside the house there are exposed wood beams and natural finishes, with a long horizontal focus to make the rooms feel larger. The living and dining spaces flow together in an open plan, rare for mid‑century Orange Park, anchored by a brick feature wall with a fireplace and built‑in shelving. The compact, efficient kitchen looks over the backyard through a wide picture window framed in cypress.
The McCain House
The McCain House
The bedrooms follow a classic Florida ranch pattern with pocket doors to save space, carefully placed windows for cross‑ventilation, and built‑in storage spaces. The master bedroom opens on a small, screened porch, another Broward specialty.
It was in this thoughtfully crafted 2,100 square-foot home that Carol McCain raised her children d
The bedrooms follow a classic Florida ranch pattern with pocket doors to save space, carefully placed windows for cross‑ventilation, and built‑in storage spaces. The master bedroom opens on a small, screened porch, another Broward specialty.
It was in this thoughtfully crafted 2,100 square-foot home that Carol McCain raised her children during the years her husband, Navy pilot John McCain, served overseas. This home, along with the community, provided stability and comfort when John was shot down over Hanoi in 1967.
When John McCain returned from captivity in 1973, he stepped back into American life here, in Orange Park. Today, 553 Fatio Lane is a meaningful piece of Orange Park’s architectural and civic history.
Upcoming Events
Community Night at Firehouse Subs
Community Night at Firehouse Subs
Come join us Tuesday, September 22 at Firehouse Subs, 375 Kingsley Avenue between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM to share stories, learn more about our events and celebrate local history. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Society to further our mission to preserve Orange Park's history.
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Clarke Cottage Renovation
Community Night at Firehouse Subs
The renovation of the Clarke Cottage is almost complete. However, many items are needed to furnish the cottage to make it comfortable for the public. To that end, the Society is hosting a shower on Saturday, September 19 at 4:00 PM. Please take a look at a list of the items needed and contribute where you can.
Please visit our Clarke Cott
The renovation of the Clarke Cottage is almost complete. However, many items are needed to furnish the cottage to make it comfortable for the public. To that end, the Society is hosting a shower on Saturday, September 19 at 4:00 PM. Please take a look at a list of the items needed and contribute where you can.
Please visit our Clarke Cottage Wish List at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1Q9UIHHJVB3S?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_3
Quarterly Member Meeting
Join us for a special presentation on Monday, October 19th at 6 PM at the Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Avenue as we travel through history from the comfort of a chair. Learn the stories of some of the colorful, past residents of the Orange Park community, told by a variety of different voices. This presentation will allow folks w
Join us for a special presentation on Monday, October 19th at 6 PM at the Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Avenue as we travel through history from the comfort of a chair. Learn the stories of some of the colorful, past residents of the Orange Park community, told by a variety of different voices. This presentation will allow folks who are not comfortable walking around the cemetery a chance to hear about these individuals with a visual backdrop. These residents will not be featured at Moonlight on Magnolia this year as we simply cannot cover all the personalities in the scope of a walk.
Moonlight on Magnolia
It will soon be fall and that means it’s almost time for Moonlight on Magnolia. This event provides visitors an opportunity to tour Magnolia Cemetery to learn about our town’s history and meet “former residents” to hear stories of their time in Orange Park. A committee is now being formed among members to help organize and run these ann
It will soon be fall and that means it’s almost time for Moonlight on Magnolia. This event provides visitors an opportunity to tour Magnolia Cemetery to learn about our town’s history and meet “former residents” to hear stories of their time in Orange Park. A committee is now being formed among members to help organize and run these annual historical walks through Magnolia Cemetery. This is a much-anticipated event that requires a lot of helpers. We need folks to help with planning, publicity, and execution, including set-up and take down, group organization, front-table management as well as tour guides and performers. If you are interested, contact Cindy Cheatwood at ckcheatwood@hotmail.com. The event is scheduled for October 24th, beginning with set up at 3 PM..
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
