There's a wonderful arena of hidden history surrounding historic buildings in Orlando to thrill indigenous residents and holiday makers alike. Legends of long-forgotten mysterious treasures and haunted happenings have endured for many years in these buildings in Orlando, all waiting to be discovered by intrepid travelers.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B and B is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Several Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European style glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The rooms all have unique themes. A private cottage offers quiet privacy where visitors can enjoy the handsomely landscaped Victorian-era atmosphere and gardens. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are said to roam the gardens after dark.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an extensively entrancing history going back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu bought the straightforward, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Harry P. Leu deeded the house with its just about 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and indigenous plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Harry Leu and his other half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with mysterious chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise visible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumoured to have both ghosts and lost treasure long lostconcealed and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former workers have reported strange events of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and closing themselves, convincing footsteps stepping on and off lifts or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The often overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in downtown Orlando is a wonder to witness. The national chain of nickel and dime stores were owned and operated by the Samuel H. Kress Corporation. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be creative as well as a functional part of the community. He fired the original selected designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect Edward Sibbert. Designer 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 speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique domestically known distinguished Orlando landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a whopping $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's response to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architecture. Found on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's historic downtown district, this unique structure is a shining example of the 20th Century "commercial architecture" style pioneered by architect Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's pioneering and 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 gigantic skyscraper is situated at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand encircled by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It's 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 up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of significant fascination.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B and B is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Several Victorian buildings have been rennovated and restored to their original European style glory from the bygone days of the early 1900s. The rooms all have unique themes. A private cottage offers quiet privacy where visitors can enjoy the handsomely landscaped Victorian-era atmosphere and gardens. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are said to roam the gardens after dark.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an extensively entrancing history going back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu bought the straightforward, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Harry P. Leu deeded the house with its just about 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and indigenous plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Harry Leu and his other half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with mysterious chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise visible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center a. K. A the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumoured to have both ghosts and lost treasure long lostconcealed and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former workers have reported strange events of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and closing themselves, convincing footsteps stepping on and off lifts or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The often overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in downtown Orlando is a wonder to witness. The national chain of nickel and dime stores were owned and operated by the Samuel H. Kress Corporation. Mr. Samuel Kress wanted the building to be creative as well as a functional part of the community. He fired the original selected designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect Edward Sibbert. Designer 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 speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique domestically known distinguished Orlando landmark.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a whopping $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's response to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architecture. Found on 37 North Orange Avenue in Orlando's historic downtown district, this unique structure is a shining example of the 20th Century "commercial architecture" style pioneered by architect Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's pioneering and 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 gigantic skyscraper is situated at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand encircled by its modern architecturally symmetrical brothers. It's 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 up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of significant fascination.
About the Author:
Mellanie Hermin has been fascinated by historical buildings in Orlando for a long time. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For detailed information, please click here.
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