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
On the first of each month in 2025, the Society is featuring local businesses, one old and one within the memories of many locals. This month we are featuring the Moss Factory and Jean Jowers’ shop.
The Moss Factory
The Moss Factory at the Orange Park railroad tracks was an important local employer starting in the 1880s. Residents of all ages collected Spanish moss and delivered it to the site where it would be processed. The moss was boiled in fifty-gallon drums over an open fire to remove bugs and sap. It was dried and baled for shipping on the railroad. Northern factories used the moss in furniture, mattresses and for seats in cars and trains.
Jean Jowers was a much more modern business. Carroll and Jean Jowers started merchandising in Orange Park around 1952. They had a few locations over time. The most iconic is probably Jean Jowers’ dress shop which thrived with the motto, “Fashion is a look, not a price.”
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.
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
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
Orange Park History Tours
Orange Park History Tours
