Nice review. Historical narratives lend credence,insight. In my experience,"Orange Park" was....well......a good education.
As South Floridians Fleeing Evil South Florida/Miami in the late 70's,early 80's,Clay County/"Orange Park" was a Certified Draw.
Move Here!...not 'Jacksonville'....!
After all, JEA elect tric rates were astronomical,what the heck,doors swingin' wide open over there that Riverside place....et al.....
So my folks landed Wells Road-an apartment;"Spring Creek",a temp abode as we fanned out over Clay in pursuit of the Idylic Spot.Not even Orange Park....the emphasis was....Southerly.
("Spring Creek" Wells Road apartments,a spectacular example of Not Being Down There Any More,just outside The Door- a remnant tributary of McCoys Creek,would eventually,and quite literally,end up being plowed over a few years after our departure-another excellent re-location decision!....The Creek,just north of Wells Road,about in line with the then new OP Mall consigned to Culvert.A matter of DEP records-Florida Department Of Environmental Protection-
)
We witnessed the push for Coal Fire Power Plant in Clay,heartily endorsed by the Radical Clay County Chamber of Commerce,countered by a "Keep Clay Green" organization "NO JEA IN CLAY" campaign.
Some years later, a plane circled over the Clay Fairgrounds,banner streaming....."Have You Read The Grand Jury Report?"- reference to finding that Clay was "INEPT" in dealing with "Mushrooming" Growth Impacts.A common theme at the time was that OP was Insulated from greater county happenings.
Somewhere in all of this,I was encouraged by some to run for County Commission. A room full of about 60 folk-gathered by a person,State Farm agent,would ended up running for office. (The State Farm Agents- Joe Carlicci et al connected to Brannon Chaffe/Beltway always curious....
)
My folks ended up purchasing a place on Black Creek, "Midleburg",and eventually,having instigated the State Conservation Lands purchase of Jennings State Forest and weathering the Brannon / Chaffee Sector Plan/Lake Asbury Sector Plan (1....& 2...
),happily moved out of Clay just as we did Evil S Fluck.
We left behind many happy (if not fully aware) fellow residents....and no doubt a slew of newcomers,which,after all,have always defined The Most Important Citizen In Clay County.
I returned for brief visits before the County Commission: Legal Standing Outer Beltway Route,and accommodated certain re-route "Victory". Certain dismissals,complete reorganization,furious political maneuvers resulted in total transformation of the State Of Florida Department Of Community Affairs (DCA) to this day.
As a young Miami Punk serving on a County SR 21/Blanding Citizens Advisory Committee I faced certain threats from Blanding Corridor land owners.I collaborated with then JTA board member Anne Grimes regard Clay /Blanding commute to Jax,related Blanding Blvd. local government growth management decisions,in a wonderful meeting at her place in Riverside/Avondale she pronounced the entire concept ridiculous.(She eventually left the area for Colorado...)
Crowning event,although lost in comparative battle ground narrative,was the Delaney era- a curious "Overpass" proposal linking Duval lands,via I-295 Overpass on in to "Orange Park",which,after all,like "Middleburg" has been hard to define either by Metes & Bounds,or otherwise.
At one I-295 Overpass conference,a local approached me,noted the local government was notably disturbed at my appearances.
I always look forward to visits to The Grainnery- Nelson Helmuth. His Dad was killed in a Clay auto accident I recall.
The Grainery,Wells Road,is literally next door to the Clay Chamber Of Commerce.
Bernie,Normandy Blvd. Wine Store resides in Interior Orange Park- migh aspire to reside a bit closer to work,heart.
I had a stint as a land title abstractor-Duval Title Of Clay County and spent countless hours at the Clay Courthouse.
I knew some of the folks that hammered Wells Road through Orange Groves- a peripatetic event of the 70's- after all,"Orange Park" was a top Growth Area as defined by a National magazine article of that era.
Eventually,a Clay Records office employee would kindly warn me that,if I didn't want to end up in the River with cement boots,I best refrain from my private county records research.......
Overall, I would say "Orange Park" is great."Orange Park" powerfully defines sense of place. Even if not deserved.
Family should have purchased on the north bank of Doctor's Inlet. Might still be there.
Or better yet- RAP area.
