Welcome to Orange Park, Florida, a town steeped in intriguing history and rich with stories that shaped its unique identity. Let’s journey back to the late 18th century when this area was known as Laurel Grove. It all began with a land grant from the Spanish governor to Sarah and William Pengree, who named the area ‘Laurel Grove.’ This land was later acquired by Zephaniah Kingsley, a prominent planter who transformed it into a thriving plantation. Kingsley’s influence extended beyond agriculture; his progressive views on race and his marriage to Anna Madgigine Jai, an African woman, were quite remarkable for that era.
In 1813, during the Patriots’ Rebellion, Anna Kingsley famously burned down the plantation to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, a testament to her strength and determination. Fast forward to 1877, when the Florida Winter Home and Improvement Company purchased the land to establish a southern retreat, leading to the foundation of the town of Orange Park. The town quickly became a hub for winter visitors from the north, with the construction of a large hotel and a long pier along Kingsley Avenue.
However, the Great Freeze of 1894-1895 devastated the local fruit-growing industry, a setback from which it never fully recovered. Despite this, Orange Park evolved, and in 1922, the Loyal Order of Moose transformed the former Hotel Marion into Moosehaven, a retirement community still thriving today.
Orange Park is also notable for its historical contributions to science. In 1930, Robert Yerkes established the Yale Laboratories for Primate Biology here, a pioneering research center for primate behavior. Though relocated in 1965, its legacy remains part of the town’s scientific heritage. As you explore Orange Park, you’ll walk through streets rich with history, where the past and present blend seamlessly, inviting you to discover the stories that continue to shape this vibrant community.
