Phillips Center
A full range of services in the heart of the Village.
Located in the heart of the Village, Phillips Center provides a wide variety of important services in a recently renovated space that is beautiful, practical and versatile. In a nod to the past, room names correspond to places that existed nearby in the early 1900s. Lining the walls are historical photos of Dowling Park at the turn of the century, through the early years of ACV. Also along the primary corridor, known as “Main Street”, a more modern touch features several flat screen monitors that provide information about upcoming events. Main Street leads from the Village’s apartment buildings to Phillips Center.
Phillips Center includes the Ann & Quinton Rumph Dining Room, where delicious meals are served seven days a week. Across the beautifully appointed dining room are additional dining spaces. One is dubbed The Sawmill Room in honor of Dowling Park founder Thomas Dowling’s lumber mill. The other is named The Depot Room in honor of the train depot that served passengers that rode the Live Oak, Perry & Gulf (LOP&G) railroad to Dowling Park. These spaces are used for smaller banquets, parties, seminars and Artist Series events. They can be left as separate rooms, or the interior walls can be folded back and hidden, enlarging the capacity of Rumph Dining Room to 350.
Along Main Street is the Art Gallery, where residents display their artistic talents and The Lopin’ Gopher Deli which serves breakfast, lunch and supper fast fare, and is also open seven days a week. The deli was named for the LOP&G railroad that served Dowling Park from the turn of the century through the 1950s. The train ride was rather jerky, due to uneven tracks, prompting passengers to dub the train “The Loping Gopher.” Patrons can order food at the deli counter and enjoy it at the adjacent “Horton’s Landing,” a casual dining area, named for the old Dowling Park ferry landing.
Further along Main Street is the Old Pavilion Room. This room is set aside for Bible Studies, classes, support groups, meetings, seminars, and occasionally, small dinner parties. Around the turn of the 20th century, Thomas Dowling built a luxury resort hotel across the Suwannee River in Dowling Park. It was a popular getaway destination. and The Pavilion was a gathering place at the resort.
Next door is the School House Room. This room houses the Learning Center, a computer lab where residents can take computer classes, or use the computers individually. There is an additional seating area in the room for classes not requiring the use of computers. This room is named for the old Dowling Park School, which was the public school for grades 1-8 from 1926-1950.
At the end of Main Street is the J. Ralph Smith Center, which includes the Information Center and the Member Services Office Suite.