Historical Society of Orange Park

11/04/2026

This Sunday, from 2-4 PM, step back in time at the historic Clarke House. Check out the recent improvements at the House and the 1925 Workers Cottage in the back. 1039 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park.
For more, the November newsletter of the Historical Society of Orange Park has been posted to our website. You can download a copy by visiting www.ophistory.org.

11/01/2026

Each 1st of the month of 2026 the Society is highlighting one historic home in our town. This month we look at the 1910 Hellmuth House located at 1454 River Road. It began on a five-acre tract of Benjamin Stiles's former holdings acquired by Lincoln and Emma Spencer of Jacksonville who developed the houses at 1434 and 1454 River Road about 1913. The Spencers lived here until about 1916, when they moved to Jacksonville. They developed this house for a rental property and retained ownership of the two properties until 1917, when they divided their holdings, selling 1454 River Road to John and Mayme Elton of Jacksonville. Elton, a real estate agent who also used the home as a seasonal and weekend retreat. He sold the residence about 1919 to Richard Sasnett.
In 1963, John and Vera Hellmuth purchased the house from Mr. McGiffen, the owner since 1946. It has been in the Hellmuth family ever since. John was the owner of Culligan Water Service in Jacksonville and served as mayor or Orange Park. Vera was very involved in the Garden Club of Orange Park. They were members of Grace Episcopal Church for many years.
This 4000 sq. ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths on nearly two acres of waterfront. There is a 4-car garage and a 1500 sq. ft. addition that has a high-vaulted family room and modern kitchen. The addition was once home to the property caretaker and his wife.
Historical features in the home include original molding, handcrafted trim and authentic wood floors. Several brick fireplaces and an outdoor pool accent the seasons. The construction is heart pine from the frame to the floors. The original steam heat system was replaced by the Hellmuth family in the early 1990s. The original k**b and tube electrical system is still in place though service in the house has been updated, dating from the 1930s.

10/28/2026

Two weeks from today- Join us for the Orange Park Veterans Day Ceremony! 11 AM at the Veterans Memorial, 1040 Kingsley Ave. in Orange Park. A patriotic ceremony that pays tribute to those who bravely served our country will include a presentation of the colors, and musical performances. Local students will present winning essays in the 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest; American Legion Post #250 Riders be on hand and a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron from Haller Airfield will delight. Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. There will be NO parking in the cemetery. Parking is available in the First Baptist Church lot one block west of the cemetery at 1140 Kingsley Avenue.

10/24/2026

What a great combo, right down the street from one another! Enjoy the chili cookoff between 10 and 4 pm and the Moonlight on Magnolia event(moved from 10/24 due to weather concerns) anytime between 3 and 5 pm. This is small town happy!

🌶️🚗 Mark Your Calendars! The 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is back again at Moosehaven!

📅 November 14
⏰ 10 am to 4 pm!

Enjoy a day packed with classic cars, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, delicious chili, and plenty of fun! 🎶🌶️ Admission and parking are FREE! All are welcome! We are still accepting vendors, chili cook teams, and crafters. Signup info is on the web! Best of all, proceeds benefit Operation Lifeline, Inc. a non-profit pursuing an America where every veteran has safe and accessible housing. ❤️ oplifeline.org/

Bring your family and friends, enjoy the festivities, and support a great cause! Visit our website for event details.
🔗 moosehaven.org/chili-cook-off

10/22/2026

The weather forecast is calling for 70% chance of rain with winds over 12 mph. We cannot hold Moonlight under such conditions. We have rescheduled for Nov. 14, 2026, to give folks time to learn about the changed date. Please share this post to help us get the word out. Because of the time change, we will move the schedule up to a 3 PM start time.
The extra time will give our presenters a chance to make their presentations all the more engaging! Please plan to join us then and at the Veterans Day ceremony just a few days before.

10/19/2026

This Saturday is Moonlight on Magnolia! Join the Historical Society of as we remember former citizens of Orange Park in an engaging leisurely walk through Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Ave. The event is free, as is the parking (at the First Baptist Church, 1140 Kingsley Ave). There will be opportunities all weekend to stroll independently through the cemetery, stopping at signed locations with QR codes that share some histories at your own pace, but the main event with guided tours starts at 4pm with new tours beginning until the last starts at 6 pm. For more, inquire at [email protected] or visit our website at ophistory.org.

10/18/2026

Society General Meeting tomorrow night, 6 pm at the Orange Park Branch Library, 2054 Plainfield Ave, Orange Park. We will conduct important business and then enjoy a presentation a few members about some of the fascinating folks in Magnolia Cemetery.

10/15/2026

Great news! The 1912 Clarke House has its repairs and face life are now ready for their debut! Join us this weekend inside both the Clarke House and the 1925 Clarke's Pecan Grove worker's Cottage as we celebrate their history and their future potential. We will be open as a complement to the Fall Festival from 10 am until 2 pm both Saturday and Sunday. 1039 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park.

10/12/2026

The Clarke Cottage Renovation is complete! As a compliment to the Fall Festival, the cottage (an hopefully Clarke House) will be open for tours this Sat. (10/17) and Sun (10/18) from 10 am-2 pm! Join the Historical Society in celebrating this charming bit of Orange Park history. 1039 Kingsley Ave. The Clarke House has be indisposed these past two Open House opportunities so hopefully we will all get to see the improvemtns together!

10/07/2026

For October's Open House at Clarke Park, come see the newly renovated cottage! The Clarke House is getting a facelift so we can't tour there this Sunday. It will be open again on Oct. 17 and 18 though, along with Clarke Cottage. Come between 10 am and 2 pm to see both locations on those days.