There's a glorious arena of hidden history surrounding history filled buildings in Orlando to thrill indigenous residents and tourists alike. Legends of long-forgotten hidden treasures and haunted events have persisted for centuries in these buildings in Orlando, all waiting to be discovered by intrepid visitors.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Four Victorian buildings have been revived to their original Euro-style 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 to enjoy the lavishly landscaped Victorian-era atmosphere and gardens. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumored to roam the gardens at night.
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 entrepreneur Harry P. Leu bought the straightforward, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. 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 mentioned on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his better half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with mysterious chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise tangible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center also known as the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both ghosts and lost treasure long losthidden and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported strange happenings of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and closing on their own, convincing footfalls stepping off lifts or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The often overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to experience. 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 inventive as well as a functional part of the community in which it resided and served. He fired the first chosen designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect Edward Sibbert. Designer and 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 quickly opened in 1936 to become a unique hereabouts known distinguished landmark in Orlando.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a whopping $1 million dollars in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Located 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 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 located at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It is easy to see the bleak contrast in the clean modern lines vs the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historical Society grant face to face accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historic fascination.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast is close to well-known and significant Thornton Park. Four Victorian buildings have been revived to their original Euro-style 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 to enjoy the lavishly landscaped Victorian-era atmosphere and gardens. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumored to roam the gardens at night.
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 entrepreneur Harry P. Leu bought the straightforward, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. 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 mentioned on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his better half Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, spook visitors with mysterious chilled spots in warm rooms, and make occasional surprise tangible appearances.
The Citrus Center
The Citrus Center also known as the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both ghosts and lost treasure long losthidden and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported strange happenings of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and closing on their own, convincing footfalls stepping off lifts or on empty floors.
Kress Building
The often overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to experience. 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 inventive as well as a functional part of the community in which it resided and served. He fired the first chosen designer George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect Edward Sibbert. Designer and 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 quickly opened in 1936 to become a unique hereabouts known distinguished landmark in Orlando.
The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt Hotel built by Joseph Ange at a whopping $1 million dollars in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Located 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 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 located at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It is easy to see the bleak contrast in the clean modern lines vs the more artist decorations on the Orlando Bank and Trust. Walking tours conducted by the Orlando Downtown Historical Society grant face to face accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historic 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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