| There is a lot to do in Orlando, but instead of only | | | | 2. Dr. William Monroe Wells House, 519 West South |
| going to the famous theme parks, why don't you try | | | | Street |
| something different on your next Orlando vacation. A | | | | Dr. William Monroe Wells built this Foursquare style |
| walk in the city's downtown historic district area | | | | house on a lot one block to the east in 1924. He was |
| brings you face to face with the history of this | | | | known as one of Orlando's longest practicing African |
| important city. Your walking tour can be | | | | American doctors and was involved in the commercial |
| concentrated in the eight blocks of buildings which | | | | and cultural life of the community with the Well'sbuilt |
| were designated in 1980 by the City of Orlando as | | | | Hotel and the South Street Casino. |
| an historical district. The district is a cohesive | | | | 3. Victorian House & Cottage, 541 West South |
| collection of buildings that reflects the commercial and | | | | Street |
| governmental history of Orlando. | | | | The Victorian House and Cottage are among the only |
| The district is composed of buildings constructed | | | | remaining Folk Victorian structures left in the city. The |
| from the 1880s until the early 1940s. Surrounded by | | | | level of detail found in the original turned columns, |
| modern skyscrapers, approximately 60 historic | | | | railings and carved fretwork is not found in any other |
| buildings in this district offer a glimpse into the city's | | | | buildings in Orlando. |
| past. The historic district designation has helped | | | | 4. Hankins Building, 647 West South Street |
| preserve buildings that might otherwise have been | | | | Dr. I.S. Hankins constructed this Art Deco commercial |
| demolished due to the rapid rate of growth and | | | | building in 1947. Hankins was an early African |
| demand for commercial space in this booming city. | | | | American physician and civic leader. He was an active |
| Orlando's first historic district demonstrates the | | | | participant in the Washington Shores development, |
| economic and political growth of the city for over six | | | | which provided opportunities for new home |
| decades. The district contains historic structures such | | | | ownership for Orlando's African Americans. |
| as the depot, the courthouse, banking, office and | | | | 5. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 701 West South |
| retail buildings. The variety of building styles and sizes | | | | Street |
| reflects the evolution of architecture and construction | | | | This African American church was organized in 1919 |
| in downtown. | | | | and met in various locations until land was finally |
| The styles represented in the district are Queen | | | | purchased. Church members made the rusticated |
| Anne, Twentieth Century Commercial Style, the | | | | concrete blocks that were used for construction of |
| Beaux-Arts, Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco and Art | | | | the walls. The Gothic style church opened in 1921. |
| Moderne. Nearly all of the buildings are of masonry | | | | 6. Ebenezer Methodist Church, 596 West Church |
| construction due to a series of fires in the late 1800s | | | | Street |
| that destroyed many wood structures and prompted | | | | As early as 1892, this congregation had a wooden |
| the City to pass new building standards. | | | | church on this site. It was the first African American |
| Here are some of the sites on this 2.5 mile tour. | | | | Methodist church in Orlando. Starting in 1922, the |
| 1. Well'sbuilt Hotel, 511 West South Street | | | | members built this Gothic style brick church. |
| Dr. William Monroe Wells constructed this hotel in | | | | 7. Slemons Department Store, 129 West Church |
| 1926. It provided lodging to African Americans during | | | | Street |
| segregation when rooms were not available to them | | | | This dry goods store was constructed in 1924 for |
| in other areas. Many famous entertainers and | | | | William Slemons. He first came to Orlando in 1886. |
| athletes stayed here. Next-door was Dr. Wells' South | | | | Slemons and his sons owned a number of stores in |
| Street Casino, where many of the entertainers | | | | downtown Orlando from the 1880's well into the |
| performed for the African American community. The | | | | middle of the twentieth century. So, make sure you |
| Well'sbuilt Museum of African American History is | | | | take some time to see the historical sites of Orlando |
| located here now. NRHP, OHL | | | | on your next visit to the area. |