27 Orlando historic landmarks that haven't been destroyed yet

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.

Scroll down to view images

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