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There's a glorious world of concealed history surrounding historical buildings in Orlando to thrill local residents and tourists alike. Legends of long-forgotten hidden treasures and haunted happenings have endured for many years in these buildings in Orlando, all waiting to be discovered by intrepid visitors.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B-and-B is close to famous and significant Thornton Park. More than a few Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The B&B rooms all have private baths and unique themes. A private cottage offers quiet privacy in which to enjoy the handsomely landscaped Victorian-era style gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumoured to wander the gardens at night.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has a very entrancing history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessman Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Harry P. Leu deeded the house with its almost 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and indigenous plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now mentioned on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his better half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, frigthen visitors with unaccountable chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise tangible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both spooks and lost treasure long lost and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former staff have reported strange events of foggy vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening on their own, powerful footfalls stepping on and off elevators or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in central Orlando is a wonder to witness. The nationwide chain of nickel and dime stores were owned and operated by the Samuel H. Kress Enterprise. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be artistic as well as a functional part of the Orlando community. He fired the first selected designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect and designer Edward Sibbert. Architect Edward Sibbert used the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored elaborations in the erecting of the Kress building in 1935. The store swiftly opened in 1936 to become a unique locally known distinguished Orlando landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a gigantic $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reply to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Located on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's historical downtown district, this unique structure is a shining example of the 20th Century "commercial architecture" style pioneered by designer Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's first officially registered designer and architect in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also created in the 20th Century commercial style is the legendary skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This gigantic skyscraper is located at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It's easy to see the stark contrast in the clean modern lines versus the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historical Society grant up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of significant historical or architectural value.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B-and-B is close to famous and significant Thornton Park. More than a few Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The B&B rooms all have private baths and unique themes. A private cottage offers quiet privacy in which to enjoy the handsomely landscaped Victorian-era style gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumoured to wander the gardens at night.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has a very entrancing history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessman Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Harry P. Leu deeded the house with its almost 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and indigenous plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now mentioned on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his better half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, frigthen visitors with unaccountable chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise tangible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both spooks and lost treasure long lost and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former staff have reported strange events of foggy vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening on their own, powerful footfalls stepping on and off elevators or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in central Orlando is a wonder to witness. The nationwide chain of nickel and dime stores were owned and operated by the Samuel H. Kress Enterprise. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be artistic as well as a functional part of the Orlando community. He fired the first selected designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect and designer Edward Sibbert. Architect Edward Sibbert used the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored elaborations in the erecting of the Kress building in 1935. The store swiftly opened in 1936 to become a unique locally known distinguished Orlando landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a gigantic $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reply to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Located on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's historical downtown district, this unique structure is a shining example of the 20th Century "commercial architecture" style pioneered by designer Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's first officially registered designer and architect in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also created in the 20th Century commercial style is the legendary skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This gigantic skyscraper is located at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It's easy to see the stark contrast in the clean modern lines versus the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historical Society grant up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of significant historical or architectural value.
About the Author:
Mellanie Hermin has been interested in historic buildings in Orlando for several years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For some more info, please click here.