Orlando 1921

Beacham Theatre

46 North Orange Avenue

Constructed: 1921  Opened: December 9, 1921

Original Owner:  Braxton Beacham Sr.

Style: Exotic Revival

Businesses:  1921-1936 vaudeville and movie theatre, 1936-1975 movie theatre only, 1975-around 1988 renamed the Great Southern Music Hall - featured musical acts, in the late 1980s it was Laser World, by the early 1990s it became a nightclub - first Zuma Beach and then later (and currently) Tabu.

Current owner: Margaret Sybil Casscells

TOP RIGHT: Beacham Theatre, circa 1924, from a contemporary photograph.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Beacham Theatre, 2001.

Visit the grave site of Braxton Beacham.

Dolive Building

100 - 114 North Orange Avenue

Constructed: 1921

Style: 20th Century Style with Spanish Colonial elements.

Businesses: Hall Brothers Insurance Agency (1940's),  Bill Baer Television & Stereo Store (1960's), the office of Empire Movie Studios (1950's), various stores, Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub (currently).

Notes: Was originally part of the Washington Street Arcade, the majority of the building was torn down in 1971, the Dolive Building being the only part left standing.

Bill Baer's Store was particularly interesting, because in the display windows amongst the TVs and stereos were six stuffed bears (bear = baer). Two of these stuffed and very realistic bears are still on display at the Orange County Regional History Center.

TOP RIGHT: Dolive Building - Orange Ave. facade, 2002.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Dolive Building - Washington St. facade, 2002.

Jones High School

101 North Parramore Avenue

Constructed: 1921-1922  Cost: $34,000

Original Owner: Orange County Schools

Architect: Howard M. Reynolds

Builder: C. C. Hanner

Style: Colonial Revival Style

Businesses: (1921-1952) Jones High School, (1952-1971) Callahan Elementary School, (1984-present) Callahan Neighborhood Community Center

Current owner: City of Orlando.

Modifications: The building standing today primarily dates from 1984. The front facade is the original school.

Notes: Built on land donated to the county by L. C. Jones, a school principal since 1912.  This was the third location for the first public school for blacks in Orlando.  The first was created in 1895 on the South West corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street.  It was reportedly named Orlando Black.  Later on the school moved to the corner of Parramore and Jefferson and was renamed Johnson Academy.

TOP RIGHT: Jones High School - Parramore Ave. facade, 2003.

CENTER RIGHT: Jones High School - Parramore Ave. facade from the side 2003.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Jones High School, cornerstone on which reads the following:

Orlando 1921