Orange Park History Tours

01/28/2025

I had the honor of being sworn in as secretary of the Clay County Historical Society last night. Swearing in the board was the Honorable Connie Bradley, former mayor of Green Cove Springs and current county commissioner. I am flanked to my left by President Steve Griffith and on my right is the one and only John Bowles who serves as our vice president.

01/28/2025

The Honorable Connie Bradley congratulates Clay County Florida Historical Society and Museum board members who were sworn in at the Annual Meeting on January 27th. Bob Scallan of Orange Park History Tours then hosted Trivia Fun in which all were winners of everything from swag bags to t-shirts!

01/24/2025

I had the honor of presenting today to the US Daughters of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Colonists, and the Southern Dames of America. The topic was the killing of plume birds to near extinction in the Everglades during the Gilded Age and the first game warden in Florida, Guy Bradley, who gave his life in the line of duty to enforce the first environmental protection law.

01/19/2025

The Clay County Historical Society is the custodian of the museum located in the old courthouse in the historic triangle in Green Cove Springs. FREE tours are available every Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 and Fridays from 10:00 - 1:00. You will be amazed at the number of artifacts on display. You can take a self guided tour or walk with a docent as you view the historic caboose, train depot, and old jail too. For more information, go to ClayCountyHistoricalSociety.org.

01/19/2025

Looking for something different to do in Orange Park. Something that will be interesting and informative? Then, join the Historical Society of Orange Park for a walking tour of Magnolia Cemetery to hear the compelling stories of some of our Black residents. Best of all......it's FREE.

01/17/2025

With all the talk lately about Canada and Greenland becoming states, it made me wonder what the 51 or 52 star arrangement on the flag would look like. That made me think about this story on how the current arrangement came to be. Enjoy the story....

The arrangement of the stars on the flag we know today was designed by a high schooler—before Alaska and Hawaii were even states. (These gorgeous American flag photos are sure to make you feel patriotic.)

In 2009, the designer, Bob Heft, told his tale to StoryCorps. It was 1958, and America only contained 48 United States. The flag at that time featured six rows of eight stars. Heft’s history teacher assigned a class project where each student had to bring in something they made. Having been “inspired by the Betsy Ross story,” and hearing rumblings that Alaska and Hawaii could both soon gain statehood, Heft decided to make a 50-star flag. So he made some adjustments to his parents’ 48-star flag, brought it in, and triumphantly placed it on his teacher’s desk.

His teacher, however, was not impressed. Heft remembers him asking why it had extra stars, chiding, “You don’t even know how many states we have.” Heft’s teacher gave the project a B minus.

But Heft protested the low grade. He told StoryCorps that for each new flag, “The [goal] is to add [stars] so no one can tell there’s a change in the design.” And he felt that his design, with five rows of six stars and four rows of five, did that perfectly. His teacher told him, “If you don’t like your grade, get it accepted into Washington, then come back…and I might consider changing your grade.”

Heft heartily accepted the challenge. He spent the next two years making calls and writing letters to the White House. He even reached out to one of his state representatives, Walter H. Moeller from Ohio, who advocated for Heft’s design. During this time, Alaska became the 49th state, and a 49-star flag briefly flew. After Hawaii gained statehood as well, Heft got the call he’d been hoping for. President Eisenhower told him that his flag design had been chosen out of over a thousand. On July 4th, 1960, Heft went to the White House to see his school project design become the official American flag. In 2007, the 50-star flag became the longest-running U.S. flag. And, yes, his teacher did update his grade to an A.

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And Heft didn’t stop there! After his 50-star design got accepted, he decided to keep ahead of the times by designing a 51-star flag as well. Sadly, he passed away in 2009, but he gave his 51-star design to a state representative just in case. And if the speculation about Washington, DC or Puerto Rico [or Canada and Greenland] gaining statehood proves true, that flag might be put to use too! This would make Heft the only person to design two United States flags. Sorry, Betsy Ross! (That is, if she actually was the one who designed the original U.S. flag.)

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01/14/2025

We all know what currently stands on the corner of Kingsley Ave. and Hwy 17.... Orange Park Town Hall. Do you know what was there before? These old photos are of the Orange Park Normal and Industrial School opened in 1891 by the American Missionary Association. Its mission was to educate Black children, and it did so very successfully making it the first integrated school in Florida. It had boys and girls dorms, classrooms, and a chapel. Once white families began sending their children to the school the superintendent of public education at the capitol in Tallahassee found out about this and set out to put an end to black and white students going to school together and black and white teachers working side by side. Because of the negative attention brought on, Jim Crow Laws, and the K*K, the school eventually closed in 1917. The building stood empty until 1927 when Moosehaven purchased the property. The dorms were perfect to accommodate their burgeoning numbers. In the late 1940's the town council had issues with Moosehaven and a settlement was worked out where this property was given to the town. When the buildings were torn down in the 1950's, citizens were allowed to take away whatever lumber they could hall off....some of which can still be seen on local homes. Today, the property is home to town hall, a park, and the police and fire departments.
If you enjoyed this story, schedule a tour with us and hear more of the hidden history of Orange Park, Magnolia Cemetery, Green Cove Springs, or the P-51 airplane crashes in the Riverside Community during WWII. Call, text, or e-mail to schedule your tour at a date and time that meets your schedule. 239-340-1292 [email protected] OrangeParkHistoryTours.com

01/13/2025

01/06/2025

I toured today with the teachers of Grace Episcopal Day School located on Kingsley Ave....right on my tour route. They are a wonderful bunch of ladies. Thank you for all you do everyday with children. You are unsung heroes who are over worked and under paid, and under appreciated.

01/06/2025

Please see the attached flyers!!! The Clay County Historical society has a great history book fair coming up next month. And, our monthly meeting will be held on January 27th. It's going to be a history trivia night. Even if you are not a member, we would love to have you join us for this fun and challenging evening of Clay Co. history. PRIZES FOR THE WINNING TEAM!!!

01/06/2025

Take a look at the video created by the Clay County Tourism Commission entitled Clay in 60 Seconds. Orange Park History Tours is highlighted at about 47 seconds in. Thank you tourism commission for including us.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/IuInqiX-kvY?si=1Mz1ZS8XFIwQ9Ogm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClayCtyTourism/videos/476231485510017
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEVecGFsxDZ/

12/16/2024

**Honoring History and Reflecting on Humanity: A Holiday Message from Orange Park History Tours**

Recently, at the holiday gathering of the Historical Society of Orange Park, I had the profound privilege of conversing with one of our esteemed members, a remarkable woman of 91 years. Her memories, steeped in the rich tapestry of our town’s history, provided a poignant reflection on the past, specifically an incident she recalled from around 1932, when her home stood on Kingsley Avenue, just east of the train tracks where the Amoco convenience store now stands.

As she shared her story, we were transported back to a time marked by great turbulence. She spoke of a young Black man who traversed those very streets, often with his head bowed, humming softly to himself—living testimony to the struggles faced by those with mental disabilities during a period rife with discrimination and misunderstanding. Tragically, this young man became the focal point of a grave injustice when he was wrongfully accused of inappropriate interaction with a white girl. In the blink of an eye, a lynching mob formed, threatening to unleash violence and chaos upon him.

Miraculously, through a turn of fate that remains unclear, tragedy was averted that day. This chilling account serves as a stark reminder of the chaotic and tumultuous nature of our history—an echo of the darkness that plagued society at that time.

Today, we find ourselves in a vastly different world, yet once again enveloped in a state of upheaval. The social structures that govern our lives have evolved, but the underlying currents of chaos and unrest persist. As we navigate this holiday season, let us take a moment to reflect on the lessons history imparts. It calls us to understand and respect one another, to seek empathy amidst our differences, and to cherish the blessings we are fortunate to possess.

From all of us at Orange Park History Tours, we extend our warmest wishes for a peaceful and merry holiday season. May we honor our past, recognize our present, and strive for a future illuminated by understanding and compassion.

12/12/2024

Thank you to the 20+ people who guessed how many pieces of candy are in the container. The winner is Donna G. who came within 11 of the actual count of 287 pieces. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

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12/10/2024

Like everyone else at this time of the year, I have been doing holiday shopping. I was recently in a local store and noticed 2 signs on a shelf. One stated 25% off if you buy 2 but only on the lowest priced item, and the other was 505 off on any one item with other stipulations. It was thoroughly confusing, and it was meant to be. It's the psychology of marketing. It reminded me of Orange Park's founder, Washington Gano Benedict. He was a marketing genius. When he began selling lots in Orange Park, he took out an article in a northern newspaper that featured a huge headline: NO WEEDS, NO BARS, NO MOSQUITOS. Of course, all three of those existed. He also over exaggerated the income to be made from the citrus industry. Another ploy was to erect the sign pictured here along River Rd. (River Blvd. at the time). (The sign was located near the northern boundary of the Moosehaven property.) The sign was 200' long. Each letter was 15' tall by 12' wide. Passengers on the second deck of a steamboat in the middle of the St. Johns River could easily see the sign...which some say was the largest in world at the time. Their curiosity got the better of them. What the heck was Orange Park? Benedict didn't stop there. As those steamboats began making their way towards the Kingsley Ave. pier, he would mount his horse, ride up and down the streets, and yell, "Party at the hotel! Party at the hotel!" Considering the limited options for entertainment in Orange Park in the 1880's and 90's, you better believe that everyone dropped their shovels, rakes, hoes, and headed over to the hotel for music, dancing, free food and drink. As those steamboats docked at the pier, passengers who may have been headed to Green Cove Springs and points farther south decided to disembark in Orange Park to check out the huge party on the verandah of the hotel. Many never made it to their destination as they decided to settle in Orange Park. Truly genius! If you liked this story, go to OrangeParkHistoryTours.com and schedule your tour today to hear more of the hidden history of Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Magnolia Cemetery, or the P-51 plane crashes in Riverside.

12/04/2024

From the Historical Society of Orange Park --- here are a few upcoming events you may find interesting.

11/27/2024

Orange Park History Tours is giving away another container filled with holiday candy. Send your guess to [email protected]. We will announce the winner in mid December. Good luck, and please pass this contest along to all of your friends and family. Have a great Thanksgiving.

11/25/2024

Merchants letter to Peeler's wife and court document showing jury's verdict.

11/25/2024

1894 was a year filled with catastrophic events. Last week I wrote about the devastating freeze in December. Today, I write about the death of the beloved Sheriff Josephus Peeler who was shot in the line of duty of that year. The courthouse was less than a year old. It was a new, modern building that all Clay County residents were proud of - especially Sheriff Peeler as it was his office. On the evening of May 10th, with the smell of fresh paint still in the air, Sheriff Peeler exited the courthouse doors facing west with the train depot about 800 feet to his left. Immediately he could hear an altercation on the train platform. Being the sheriff, it was his duty to investigate. As Sheriff Peeler moved closer, he could see that two men named Boyett and Griffin were arguing. As he got closer, the altercation became more physical. Upon approaching the two, Peeler stepped between them to break up the fight. At the same moment, Boyett drew his revolver and fired a shot intended for Griffin but struck Peeler in the side. Boyette immediately fled the scene throwing the pistol into a well. Peeler was taken to his home as there were no hospital in Green Cove Springs at the time. Peeler hung on for 4 days before passing away. Before his death, he made it very clear that Boyett shot him by accident and did not want him tried for murder. Boyett was arrested and tried later that year and was convicted of aggravated assault. The jury had headed Sheriff Peeler's deathbed wishes. Peeler was so well liked that 18 local merchants closed their businesses on the afternoon of Peeler's funeral (see image of letter). The text of the letter reads, "We the undersigned merchants of Green Cove Springs do hereby agree to close our places of business, out of respect to the memory of our respected late sherif, Mr. J.A. Peeler, from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M." Sheriff Peeler left behind a wife and five children ages 6 months to 10 years.
Two more sheriffs of Clay County would lose their lives in the next 19 years.
If you enjoyed this story, schedule your tour of Orange Park, Magnolia Cemetery, Green Cove Springs, or the P-51 Mustang crashes in the Riverside community at OrangeParkHIstoryTours.com.