Anderson Price Building turns 100

Construction for the Anderson Price Building started in 1912.

By Lisa Wolfe
| 4:26 p.m. May 16, 2016

Construction for the Anderson price building started in 1912.

Bill and Hal Butts pose in front of a painting that was painted 77 years ago with their mother.

Ormond Beach Historic Society President Patricia Samples speaks about the history of the building.

Ormond Beach Mayor Kelley proclaimed May 15, 2016, as a day to celebrate the 100th anniversary.

There was cake for everyone!

Ormond Beach Mayor Ed Kelley cuts the cake with Ormond Beach Historic Society President Patricia Samples.

Ormond Beach Historic Society President Patricia Samples receives the proclamation from Ormond Beach Mayor Kelley.

A champaign toast to 100 years.

Rosa Morey and Erlene Turner

Cathy Curry, Joyce Benedict and Amelia Evans all came to support Ormod Beach's history.

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

The Butts Brothers

Brothers Hal and Bill Butts had many painting sessions for a painting they posed in with their mother 77 years ago. Once their mother died, Hal didn’t have anywhere to hang the painting because it was too big. He was asked if he would like to donate the painting to the Anderson Price Building, which he did.

The painting was hung in a hallway for some time before being moved to the boardroom, once building renovations started a few years ago. This past week, Hal talked his brother into attending the birthday celebration, in order to have their photo taken in front of the painting 77 years after it was completed.

Hal would have been 6 years old and Bill was 4 when the painting was painted by Unberto Romano. When the young boys weren’t posing they would go outside and try to bang nails into the tires of Romano’s car, but it never worked, Bill said.

Members of the Village Improvement Association in Ormond Beach celebrated the 100th year of operation of the Anderson Price Building. The building, a great example of 20th century architecture, was named in honor of John Anderson and Joseph Price.

In January 1898 a group of women residents met at the Ormond Beach Union Church to form an organization called the Village Improvement Association. Their goals were to promote neatness and order in the village of Ormond Beach, and to do whatever may be needed to improve and beautify the town as their place of residence and keep it in a healthful condition.

In 1912 construction on the Anderson Price Building began after the VIA successfully raised $8,000. The building was to be used as a library and meeting place for the VIA and other community groups. Construction was completed 100 years ago in 1916. In 1958, its name changed to the Ormond Beach Woman’s Club, at which time a kitchen and tea room were added. The library remained in the building until 1969, when it was then moved to its current location at the city.

The Anderson Price Building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Mayor Kelley proclaimed May 15, 2016, as a day to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Anderson Price Memorial Building. The building still stands at 42 N. Beach St.