There exists a wonderful sector of concealed history surrounding history filled buildings in Orlando to thrill native residents and tourists alike. Legends of long-forgotten mysterious treasures and haunted events have been known for many years in these buildings in Orlando, all waiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B-and-B is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Four Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The rooms in the B&B all have unique themes with private baths. A private cottage offers quiet privacy in which to enjoy the extravagantly landscaped Victorian-era style gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are said to walk the gardens.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has a very fascinating history going back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful entrepreneur Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. He deeded the house with its almost 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and local plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now noted on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his wife Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with unexplainable chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise visual appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumoured to have both spooks and lost treasure long lost and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported bizarre events of mysterious vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening themselves, resounding footsteps stepping off lifts or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to behold. The nation's chain of nickel and dime stores were controlled by the Samuel H. Kress Corporation. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be artistic as well as a functional part of the community in which it resided and served. He fired the first chosen architect George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative designer Edward Sibbert. Architect Edward Sibbert used the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored elaborations in the construction of the Kress building in 1935. The store speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique locally known distinguished landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a gigantic $1 million dollars in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architecture. Situated on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's important 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 architect and designer in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also constructed in the 20th Century commercial style is the infamous skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This big skyscraper is found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It is easy to see the harsh contrast in the clean modern lines vs the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historic Society grant face to face accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historical historical or architectural value.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B-and-B is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Four Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The rooms in the B&B all have unique themes with private baths. A private cottage offers quiet privacy in which to enjoy the extravagantly landscaped Victorian-era style gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are said to walk the gardens.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has a very fascinating history going back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful entrepreneur Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. He deeded the house with its almost 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and local plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now noted on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his wife Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with unexplainable chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise visual appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumoured to have both spooks and lost treasure long lost and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported bizarre events of mysterious vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening themselves, resounding footsteps stepping off lifts or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to behold. The nation's chain of nickel and dime stores were controlled by the Samuel H. Kress Corporation. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be artistic as well as a functional part of the community in which it resided and served. He fired the first chosen architect George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative designer Edward Sibbert. Architect Edward Sibbert used the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored elaborations in the construction of the Kress building in 1935. The store speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique locally known distinguished landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a gigantic $1 million dollars in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architecture. Situated on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's important 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 architect and designer in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also constructed in the 20th Century commercial style is the infamous skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This big skyscraper is found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It is easy to see the harsh contrast in the clean modern lines vs the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historic Society grant face to face accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historical historical or architectural value.
About the Author:
Mellanie Hermin has had an interest in consequential buildings in Orlando for many years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information, please click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment