It seems like Orlando is constantly tearing down, rebuilding and adding something new. Though it may seem like it’s hard to find anything older than a few years around here, this city actually does have a few things we hold sacred. You’ve probably driven passed many of these official historical landmarks on a daily basis.

Fairchild Chapel Sign 301 Northeast Ivanhoe Blvd. Fairchild Funeral Home, one of the oldest operating funeral business in Orlando, faced some serious competition in the 1950’s. As a result, the company incorporated heavy advertising like this roof-top sign, which still hangs high. Photo via greenlandconsulting/Instagram
Plaza Theatre Sign 425 N. Bumby Ave. This roof-top sign is the only unchanged theater sign from the 1960’s. The theater opened in 1963 with the John Wayne movie, “McLintock”, and closed in 1992. The building is known today as The Plaza Live which is home to live musical acts and shows. Photo via City of Orlando
Jack Kerouac House 1418 Clouser Ave. A great American author of the 20th century, Jack Kerouac, lived in this house with his mother when his most successful book, On the Road, was published. He also wrote the book’s follow-up, The Dharma Bums, in this house. The house is now managed by the Jack Kerouac Writer in Residence Project of Orlando, which is a nonprofit group that opens the home to a writer or poet to live rent-free. Photo via editionslitteraturemineure/Instagram
Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosearden Dr. The park is Orlando’s only cultural landscape which also serves as a historic landmark. They broke ground back in 1933 and the park was later dedicated to Orlando businessman Henry Hill Dickson, an “advocate of the city’s beautification”. Photo via jameycic/Instagram
Marks Street School 99 Marks St. This is Orlando’s oldest remaining Mediterranean Revival school building, which was built in 1925 and designed by Howard Reynolds. This building is an example of “adaptive reuse” because it has served the local community throughout the years. It was an elementary school, special education center, a book depository and is now Marks Street Senior Center. Photo via City of Orlando
Dr. P. Phillips house 211 Lucerne Circle Northeast The house was first built in 1893 as a wedding gift from Col. Peleg Peckman to his daughter. In 1912, Dr. Phillips and his wife purchased it and had it remodeled. It is now a bed and breakfast and the only example of a 19 century Shingle style mansion in Orlando. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo via zannaland/Instagram
Beacham Theatre 46 N. Orange Ave. As Orlando’s first theater, the Beacham was built in 1921 by Braxton Beacham Sr. Underneath the theater, there was a tunnel which allowed performers to easily get to the hotel across the street. While the venue has changed names a few times, over the years, it has hosted vaudeville acts, first-run movies, live music, and is now a nightclub and has live shows. Photo via RICHES of Central Florida
Bumby Hardware Building 100-102 W. Church Street Bumby Hardware was a successful family business started in 1886 when Joseph Bumby, Sr. built the structure. The store closed in 1966. Photo via Orlando Retro
Kaley Street Elementary School 1600 E. Kaley St. There was a lack of resources during the Great Depression which led to crews building the elementary school from eight pound bricks. Although updated, the school is the only example of this style building that’s non-residential in the city. It was originally built with only six classrooms but since expansion, now has a group of one story buildings in a rectangular shape with two courtyards. Photo via lord_of_baltimore/Instagram
Mizell Cemetery, Leu House 1730 N. Forest Ave. The Leu House is a remarkable example of a turn of the century farmhouse. Under four owners changes have taken place- its exterior enriched by Colonial Revival trim, porches added in 1906 and 1939 and the detached kitchen and out buildings have been converted into offices. It is named for Orange County’s first Sheriff David Mizell, whose son is thought to have constructed the original part of the present home. The home is also named for Henry P. Leu, a humanitarian who contributed generously to the growth of Orlando and donated the home and gardens to the City. Photo via cameroncieliczka/Instagram
Firestone Building 578 N. Orange Ave. The Firestone Building, which is now nightclub Venue 578, was built in 1929. Its architecture is significant because it indicated Orlando’s growth in transportation and commerce. Photo via City of Orlando
Rogers Building 37-39 S. Magnolia Ave. This building was constructed by Englishman Gordon Rogers and was home to The English Club on the second floor, which sponsored dance, theater and events. It is on the National Register of Historic Places but is now the Gallery at Avalon Island. Photo via Google Maps
Orlando Utilities Commission Administration Building 500 S. Orange Ave. The old OUC administration building was opened in 1967 but proved versatility because it is now the Aloft Hotel. Photo via aloftorlandodowntown/Instagram
Maxey-Crooms House 638 W Anderson St. This house, constructed around 1924, was built to reflect the evolution and growth of the local African-American community. This is historic because at that time, it represented the level of success that African-Americans could achieve despite discrimination. Now, it sadly is vacant. Photo via Google Maps
Dr. William Monroe Wells house 519 W. South St. William Monroe Wells, was an African American physician and is said to have delivered over 5,000 babies during his career including a year when he was the only black doctor in the city. He built this house in 1924 and was the owner of the Well’sBuilt Hotel and South Street Casino. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
Orwin Manor Gates N. Orange Ave and Wilkinson St Back in 1924, these gates represented the borders of Orwin manor. The name Orwin is a combination of Orlando and Winter Park. Photo via City of Orlando
Eastin House 1327 Eastin Ave. This house was built in 1926 and is shown in the Ron Howard movie “Parenthood” with Steve Martin. Joseph Woodnick constructed the one-story bungalow for himself but it is not known that he actually ever lived here. Photo via Google Maps
Slemons Department Store 129-131 W. Church St. William Slemons started Slemons Department Store, next to Bumby Hardware, and was open from 1915 to 1950. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
Ebenezer Methodist Church 596 W. Church St. This was the first African American Methodist church in Orlando, starting as early as 1892 with a wooden church and the members began building this Gothic style structure in 1922. It is still a church today. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
Orlando Rescue Mission sign 410 W. Central Blvd. The Orlando Rescue Mission sign is located on top of the building with a cross that lits up at night. The cross signs reads “Christ is Savior, God is Love”. Photo via Orlando Union Rescue Mission
Well’sbuilt Hotel 511 W. South St. This was a hotel constructed in 1926 which provided housing to African Americans during segregation. Famous African Americans like Jackie Robinson stayed here. Right next door was Dr. Wells’ South Street Casino. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
U.S. Post Office and Court House 46 E. Robinson St. The post office used to relocate from building to building but this location, which opened in 1941, continuously served as a Post Office and other federal agencies. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
Porter Paints Sign 700 E. Colonial Dr. Founded in 1922 in Kentucky, the Porter Paint Company was a mail-order paint business. The company opened retail and wholesale stores, one on Colonial Drive which was the first to open in Orlando. Porter Paints became the first company to take advantage of the historic sign ordinance that will protect historic signs that don’t comply with current codes. Photo via Google Maps
Hendry-Walker House 125 N. Lucerne Circle This 10-room home is named after S.G. Walker, a citrus, pineapple and cane grower, who purchased the home and lived there with his daughter Lorena Hendry, who lived there for 80 years. It is one of Orlando’s few remaining Victorian homes. The historic home is currently vacant and the City of Orlando Real Estate is looking for a new tenant. Photo via Bungalower
Old Orlando Railroad Depot 76-78 W. Church St. Bumby Hardware was the first depot when the railroad came to Orlando back in 1880. A year later, a wooden station was constructed across the street from the store and a second constructed in 1886. The building was dedicated in 1890 as a symbolic step that Orlando was growing as a major city in Florida. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest
College Park Publix Pole Sign 2015 Edgewater Dr. This Publix pole sign is the only neon pole sign from the 1960s left on Edgewater Drive. It’s also the only Publix pole sign, which resembles its original look, left in Central Florida. Photo via Roberto A./Foursquare
First National Bank 190 S. Orange Ave. The People’s National Bank, founded in 1911, became the First National Bank in 1920. During the Depression, the bank planned a new building but the bank and Trust Company failed in the early 1930’s. Since then, it has been other banks but most recently was used as offices and classrooms for Valencia College’s downtown center in 2014. Photo via Downtown Orlando/Pinterest