Don Morgan, architect of City Hall, dies at 92

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — Throughout his monumental architectural career, Donald "Don" Morgan designed the current Keystone Heights City Hall, Keystone Heights High and many other iconic buildings. 

Morgan, described as "one of the great men of Keystone," helped build the city today. 

Morgan was born on Sept. 22, 1931, in Pennsylvania — fittingly nicknamed the "Keystone State," which the city also takes its name. As a 15-year-old, Morgan enjoyed going to the Keystone Beach Pavilion to listen to concerts. 

“It was used for entertaining, they had little orchestras that would play and … the sound was all over the area,” Morgan told Clay Today in 2017. 

One of Morgan's final projects was helping renovate the historic Keystone Beach Pavilion, which was initially built in 1924. However, Morgan was at the end of his career and likely had his eyes already set on retirement. He told Clay Today adamantly, "He will not be the architect designing this project."

Two months later, he submitted his design plans pro bono to the city council — completely free of charge — on behalf of the Heritage Commission. His designs included air conditioning, a small kitchen and restrooms while removing the old changing rooms that were mostly unused.

The city used Morgan's plan and spent two months and nearly $1 million overhauling the community hub for the Lake Region. 

One of Morgan's most fascinating projects was his alligator farm.

Morgan, then 53, told the Chicago Tribune in 1985 that his goal was for his alligator farm to earn him half a million dollars a year. His alligator operation in Keystone Heights was intended to be "computerized" (as in, using a computer?), and its alligator pens were to be temperature controlled. 

"I don't mind telling you," Morgan told the reporter from the Tribune. "There's money to be made.”

While it's unknown whether he made that profit margin, it was nonetheless a business venture on which he may have risked his life. In 1985, Morgan recounted how one of his gators clamped down on his leg and nearly began a death roll. 

"Tore my Levis right off me," he said. "A seven-footer. I was lucky; that's all he got.”

Morgan was known for his sharp and focused eyes, which he used to sketch his blueprints and aim down the barrel of his rifles. 

"I recall him as a nice-looking man, easy to talk to and a good sense of humor. Don't recall talking about his architecture work in particular. He was a big game hunter and once told me that he would be gone for a month to Europe or Asia to shoot a mountain goat that has on his list," said Dr. James Minesinger, a member of the Rotary Club in Keystone Heights who knew him. 

According to his online obituary, Morgan died at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the age of 92.

His wife, Sharon Booher Morgan, and his sons, Donald Chase Morgan and Scott Morgan, died before he did. He is survived by his daughter, Tamara Lynn Millikin, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Morgan graduated from the University of Florida—where he earned his bachelor of architecture in 1961 — and was known as a lifelong Florida Gators fan. On the day of his death, his son-in-law posted a photo of the sky: "RIP, Don M. The Sante Swamp and Orange and Blue was out for you one last time."