THE TOWNSEND BUILDING

Constructed in 1910, the Townsend Building served as a drugstore and commercial hub.

The Lake Butler Drug Store was housed there and was the town’s most prominent business during Lake Butler’s agricultural peak.

Designed in the Italian Renaissance style, it used a two-part block commercial layout. A fire damaged the building, but it retained its historic features.

The Union County Historical Society, founded in 1993, now occupies it. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 8, 1992.

It reflects Lake Butler’s early 20th-century growth. 

The Townsend Building interior in its heyday

The Townsend Building is at 410 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054. The Marjorie McGill Driggers Historical Museum is open Mondays from 9 AM to 12 noon.

Additional hours may be available by appointment; call (386) 496-3044. Street parking is free in downtown Lake Butler. Check signs for restrictions.

The museum is on the second floor; the lower level may be rented. Bring a camera for photos.

Check their website for updates on events or closures. Renovations, including roof and window repairs, are ongoing as of October 2024. 

• The building’s Italian Renaissance design includes arched windows and decorative brickwork.  

• It was Lake Butler’s main commercial building when the town was a cotton and lumber hub.  

• The museum displays artifacts like old farm tools and photos from Union County’s past.  

• A $50,000 state grant in 2024 funds repairs to preserve the building’s historic structure.  

• The Union County Historical Society hosts community events, like history talks, in the building. 

Learn more about Lake Butler.

UNION COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WEBSITE