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
Helffrich House
As we move into 2026, the Historical Society would like to highlight 12 of Orange Park’s historic homes. Each month we will share stories of a house in the town and invite readers to share their memories of the place.
To begin our year, we chose the town's oldest continuous private residence, here since 1878, which is located at 1200 Pla
As we move into 2026, the Historical Society would like to highlight 12 of Orange Park’s historic homes. Each month we will share stories of a house in the town and invite readers to share their memories of the place.
To begin our year, we chose the town's oldest continuous private residence, here since 1878, which is located at 1200 Plainfield Ave. Retired minister, Dr. William Helffrich built the house with two of his five sons. When it was complete, a party was held, welcoming neighbors and crew to enjoy food spread out on sawhorse-tables. Mrs. Helffrich joined them and made the house a home. Not long after her arrival, yellow fever hit the area, and the house became a makeshift hospital with Dr. John Helffrich, the oldest son, providing care to all. They did not lose a single patient, but Mrs. Helffrich became terribly ill and decided she could not live in Florida. The family moved back to Pennsylvania and William sold the house.
In 1909 Stanley Morgan, a local businessman, and wife, Nellie, bought it and lived there until his death in 1955. He was a vocal participant in local government and died in the rocking chair on his front porch. Nellie Morgan transplanted swamp plants into the yard, some of which are still there today!
Trudy Sigman, local ballet teacher, owned the house for many years thereafter. She ran the Orange Park School of Dance on Kingsley Ave and was beloved by hundreds. The current owner fell in love with the home after being given a tour by Trudy. A local preservation specialist, he is safeguarding the home for the future.
Please share any
Trudy Sigman, local ballet teacher, owned the house for many years thereafter. She ran the Orange Park School of Dance on Kingsley Ave and was beloved by hundreds. The current owner fell in love with the home after being given a tour by Trudy. A local preservation specialist, he is safeguarding the home for the future.
Please share any memories you might have of this wonderful piece of Orange Park’s story.
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.
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.
Black History Month
Upcoming Events
A rare treat is in store for Feb. 7th as Betty Demmons, a wealth of local history and the voice of McIntosh Avenue's neighborhood. She will share memories and highlight the stories of Theresa Miller, the educator for whom the TC Miller Center is named. Sat., 2/7 at 11 am with light refreshments at the TC Miller Center itself, 440 McIntosh Ave, Orange Park, FL.
On Feb. 28th we will bring back our Black History Tours through Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Ave., one day only this year. Join us at 2 PM to be guided through the town's Black history in the same manner as our popular Moonlight on Magnolia tours in October.
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
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
New Way Hearing Aids
1494 Park Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
Nix Construction Co.
441 Stowe Avenue, Suite B
Orange Park, FL 32073
