ORANGE PARK, Fla – The town of Orange Park is located at the border of Duval and Clay counties on U.S. 17 near I-295.

While Jacksonville residents might visit Orange Park often, especially those who live on the Westside, they might not know the history of the town.

The town of Orange Park’s roots date back to the late 18th century when it was known as Laurel Grove.

Rebecca and William Pengree gave the town that name after receiving a land grant from the Spanish governor.

After William died, Zephaniah Kingsley took over the Pengree’s farm and plantation and turned it into a successful business.

In 1813, the town of Laurel Grove was the site of the Patriots Rebellion when United States forces invaded Spanish East Florida to bring the area under U.S. control.

After the attempt to take over Spanish East Florida failed, the town of Laurel Grove was burned to the ground.

Decades later, the town of Orange Park was founded in 1877 by the Florida Winter Home and Improvement Company, which bought several thousand acres of land in the area.

Two years later, the town was officially incorporated.

Nearly 150 years later, the town is home to more than 9,000 people.