Jackson Rooming House
by Robert Wilder Jr
Title
Jackson Rooming House
Artist
Robert Wilder Jr
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Built in 1901 Tampa, Florida’s Jackson Rooming House was one of the few rooming houses available to African Americans during the days of segregation. Prominent acts such as Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and James Brown stayed here as they were not allowed to stay at other downtown hotels. The Rooming house continued in business until 1989 even after much of the area around it was razed during urban renewal attempts in the 1970’s.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is the last privately owned residential structure in downtown Tampa.
Today the structure is in the center of a parking lot. A nonprofit group is trying to restore the dilapidated building. They estimate the cost of restoration at one million dollars.
Each time I have visited the building is more dilapidated. They have put in some interior framing to hold it up, but I fear it may be a losing battle particularly since the city of Tampa wants the building torn down.
Uploaded
April 21st, 2019
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