There is a wonderful world of hidden history surrounding history filled buildings in Orlando to thrill indigenous residents and holiday makers alike. Legends of long-forgotten concealed treasures and haunted events have persisted for decades 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 well known and historical Thornton Park. Several Victorian buildings have been revived to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900's. The rooms all have unique themes with private baths. A private cottage offers quiet privacy to enjoy the lavishly landscaped Victorian-era gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumored to wander the gardens.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an at length entrancing history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Leu 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 mentioned on the National Register of Historical Places. Harry Leu and his better half 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 also known as the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both apparitions and lost treasure long lostconcealed and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former staff have reported strange occurrences of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening by themselves, resounding footfalls stepping off of elevators or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to experience. The national 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 community. He fired the original selected architect 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 embellishments 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 an enormous $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Found 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 architect Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's first officially registered architect in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also made in the 20th Century commercial style is the famous skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This big skyscraper is found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand encircled by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It's easy to see the bleak contrast in the clean modern lines that contrast 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 historical design.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B and B is close to well known and historical Thornton Park. Several Victorian buildings have been revived to their original European-styled glory from the bygone days of the early 1900's. The rooms all have unique themes with private baths. A private cottage offers quiet privacy to enjoy the lavishly landscaped Victorian-era gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumored to wander the gardens.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an at length entrancing history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu bought the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. Leu 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 mentioned on the National Register of Historical Places. Harry Leu and his better half 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 also known as the Republic Bank on Orange Avenue is rumored to have both apparitions and lost treasure long lostconcealed and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former staff have reported strange occurrences of misty vapors floating by, doors mysteriously shutting and opening by themselves, resounding footfalls stepping off of elevators or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The typically overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to experience. The national 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 community. He fired the original selected architect 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 embellishments 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 an enormous $1 million greenbacks in 1923. The Angebilt was Mr. Ange's reaction to the Vanderbilt's glamorous hotels and architectural designs. Found 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 architect Murray King in 1923. He was also Florida's first officially registered architect in the state.
Orlando Bank & Trust Company
Also made in the 20th Century commercial style is the famous skyscraper Orlando Bank & Trust Company. This big skyscraper is found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand encircled by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It's easy to see the bleak contrast in the clean modern lines that contrast 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 historical design.
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.
