The Orth Building

Photo by Barry Ulrich, CoreTek

Jacksonville has an interesting and colorful history and the Orth building is an integral part of that. Prior to it's construction in 1872 several other businesses occupied this property. They ranged in variety from the Palmetto Bowling Saloon to the well known Eagle Brewery and even included the City Drug Store.
When these old buildings were removed for the construction of the Orth building the Democratic Times acknowledged the passing of the Brewery, a city landmark. The newspaper was also quick, however, to support progress by becoming one of the first tenants along with the fancy goods store offering crockery, tobacco and liqueurs etc. in exchange for hides and produce, and an eight bed hospital on the second floor. The most prominent tenant however was John Orth, the town butcher, for whom this Italiante style building was built.
In its early days the tenants quickly came and went. By 1875 the Farmers Hotel occupied the second floor while the ground floor held a barbershop and drugstore. in the late 1800's the ground floor housed a furniture store and warehouse. The Orth butcher Shop was the only long term business, remaining here until the early 1900's.
What occurred here in the last ninety years is less certain. It is said that at various times this building has also housed a dance hall, a theatre, and athletic club and last a gladiola warehouse for a wholesale florist. During those years the building changed hands several times but was not well maintained and gradually fell into disrepair.
In 1989 it was bought by Orth Block Investment Inc. and restored at a cost of over $1,000,000.00 into what you see today. Any changes to the building now, need approval from both the State and local Historic Preservation Societies in order to preserve it's unique heritage.
We hope you enjoy the history and character of this building as much as we do.

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