There is a glorious world of mysterious history surrounding history filled buildings in Orlando to thrill local residents and holiday makers alike. Legends of long-forgotten hidden treasures and haunted happenings have persisted for decades 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 famous and historic 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 lavishly landscaped Victorian-era gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumoured to roam the gardens at night.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an extensively interesting history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu purchased the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. He deeded the house with its nearly 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and local plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his wife Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, scare visitors with mysterious 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 said to have both apparitions and lost treasure long losthidden and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported bizarre occurrences of mysterious vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and shutting by themselves, powerful footsteps stepping off elevators or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The commonly overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to witness. The nationwide chain of nickel and dime stores were controlled 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 initial selected architect George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect and designer Edward Sibbert. Architect and designer Edward Sibbert utilised the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored gildings in the development of the Kress building in 1935. The store speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique hereabouts known distinguished 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 design. 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 very 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 found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It's 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 Historic Society grant up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historical fascination.
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast
The Veranda B-and-B is close to famous and historic 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 lavishly landscaped Victorian-era gardens and atmosphere. Ghostly apparitions of a young Victorian girl are rumoured to roam the gardens at night.
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens has an extensively interesting history stemming back to 1855, with the first of its four owners. Successful businessperson Harry P. Leu purchased the simple, columned-white house picturesquely overlooking Lake Rowena in 1936. He deeded the house with its nearly 40 surrounding acres of landscaped gardens featuring winding trails of exotic and local plants to Orlando in 1961. This treasure is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry Leu and his wife Mary, now rumored to haunt the gardens, scare visitors with mysterious 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 said to have both apparitions and lost treasure long losthidden and forgotten. Multitudes of visitors and former employees have reported bizarre occurrences of mysterious vapors floating by, doors mysteriously opening and shutting by themselves, powerful footsteps stepping off elevators or on vacant floors.
Kress Building
The commonly overlooked Kress Building at 15 West Church in the middle of Orlando is a marvel to witness. The nationwide chain of nickel and dime stores were controlled 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 initial selected architect George Mackay to hire the more flamboyantly creative architect and designer Edward Sibbert. Architect and designer Edward Sibbert utilised the Art Deco style with terra cotta and pastel-colored gildings in the development of the Kress building in 1935. The store speedily opened in 1936 to become a unique hereabouts known distinguished 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 design. 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 very 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 found at 100 South Orange Avenue still stand surrounded by its modern architecturally symmetrical counterparts. It's 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 Historic Society grant up close accounts of other buildings in Orlando of historical fascination.
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.