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 Maierfeldt-Boatwright House
The Maierfeldt-Boatwright House
The Maierfeldt-Boatwright House
This month, we feature the Maierfeldt-Boatwright House - 2206 Reed Street, built in 1880. The first owner of this Reed Street property was Mary Jane Taylor who purchased the lot from Washington Gano Benedict, chief founder of the town. On May 11, 1878, William Maierfeldt purchased land in Orange Park to build a home and start a farm, beco
This month, we feature the Maierfeldt-Boatwright House - 2206 Reed Street, built in 1880. The first owner of this Reed Street property was Mary Jane Taylor who purchased the lot from Washington Gano Benedict, chief founder of the town. On May 11, 1878, William Maierfeldt purchased land in Orange Park to build a home and start a farm, becoming one of the town’s founding patriarchs. This house and his 120-acre farm were situated on both sides of Plainfield Avenue, west to the river and south to Doctors Lake with 2100 feet on the water. The family operated a successful truck farm for forty years with crops and an orange grove that included 600 trees in orchard form. He also had 17 acres of fine peach trees, strawberries, tomatoes and Irish potatoes. There was even a small pear orchard because Mr. Maierfeldt had introduced the LaConte pear to the region.
William Maierfeldt told stories that would later be written in a small book, Early Days in Orange Park. The charming tales of life in early Orange Park are the stories of Florida and a growing nation. The close relationship between people and the environment reminds us to treasure simple things and to be stewards of our resources. You read of steamboats and shenanigans, of enterprise and experiment. Maierfeldt’s portrayal of the town’s history helps readers conceptualize the time and place.
In 1956 George and Maxine Boatwright became the owners of this house on the corner of Reed Street and Milwaukee Avenue. It is reputed to be the second oldest house in Orange Park standing 1½ stories high with 3 gables, and a wood framed structure. Mr. Boatwright rebuilt part of the foundation. When remodeling the roof, he said that he was amazed to find that the roof lumber was crudely made. He expected that 100 years ago or so, that Craftsmen would take pride and care in their work and take the time to make it solid.
The Maierfeldt-Boatwright House
The Maierfeldt-Boatwright House
The house has 2½ bedrooms upstairs, a dining area (once a kitchen), living room, a den (once a sewing room), and a bedroom downstairs. Mr. Boatwright added a kitchen and had made the old kitchen into a Spanish-style dining area. The ceilings are approximately 10 to 12 feet high.
The house seemed enchanted to the Boatwrights. George told of
The house has 2½ bedrooms upstairs, a dining area (once a kitchen), living room, a den (once a sewing room), and a bedroom downstairs. Mr. Boatwright added a kitchen and had made the old kitchen into a Spanish-style dining area. The ceilings are approximately 10 to 12 feet high.
The house seemed enchanted to the Boatwrights. George told of mysteries about the house. "Doors open and close, but I think they can be naturally explained," he said. Maxine Boatwright spoke about "house noises," doorknobs turning, witnessed from her seat across the room. They both talked of their dog who barked and growled for quite a while staring at the ceiling with his hair all standing on end. Once, one of their dogs was so scared and couldn't get out of the house, that he jumped through an upstairs window, screen and all. They didn't think of their home as spooky, for all homes have strange little noises and mysteries.
Maxine Boatwright was recognized for her outstanding citizenship. In 1956, Gov. Fuller Warren appointed her Justice of the Peace. She was a realtor and worked for 20 years in the civil service area of NAS Jax and won high praise for her work there.
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
George W Allen Partners
Grace Episcopal Church
Garden Club of Orange Park
Town of Orange Park
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Friends of the Town of Orange Park Parks
Keith Bartolomew Photography
Orange Park History Tours
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Orange Park History Tours
Boger's Shoes
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Orange Park History Tours
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Paul & Klare Reinhold Foundation
Northeast Florida League of Cities
Barry DiGiovanni
Barry DiGiovanni
Kristin Molina
Barry DiGiovanni