Firestone Building

578 North Orange Avenue

Constructed: 1928-1929 Contractors: John H. Bull Company, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Original Owner: Firestone Tire Company

Architects: Francis J. Kennard & Sons, Tampa, Florida

Style: 20th Century Style, with an Italianate cupola or bell-tower.

Businesses:  (1929-1977) Firestone Tire Company. Currently in use as as the Firestone Club (aka "The Club") a nightclub.

Firestone Building Image copyright, 2003.

Wellsbilt Hotel

511 West South Street

Constructed: 1929

Original Owner: Dr. William Monroe Wells

Style: 20th Century Style

Businesses:  (1929-1960s) Wellsbilt Hotel, (2000 - present) Wellsbilt Museum of African American History.

Notes: Dr. Wells was a prominent doctor and civic leader in Orlando for many years. The Wellsbilt Hotel was the first hotel built in Orlando for black visitors. Until 1929, because of Segregation, blacks would have to stay as guests in various houses on the west side of downtown Orlando. Located next door to the Wellsbilt was the South Street Casino, a gambling and concert house. Many of the guests of the Wellsbilt were either performers at the Casino or baseball players in the Negro Leagues. The first floor of the building is exhibition space for the museum, while the rooms on the second floor have been converted into offices.

Wellsbilt Hotel Image copyright, 2002.