Plant City in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bing Rooming House

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2019

1. Bing Rooming House Marker

Inscription. The Bing Rooming House was built in 1928, during the period of Plant City's railroad expansion. This two-story, thirteen-room house is a good example of Frame Vernacular construction, typical of that period, and is decorated with intricate mill work and original wooden beaded-paneled walls. Located in the historically black Lincoln Park neighborhood, locally known as "the Bottom," the Bing House was constructed by the Carey and Walters Company. It was built for Elijah L. Bing Sr. (1872-1955), and his wife Janie Wheeler Bing (1889-1984). Elijah moved to Plant City around 1908 and married Janie in 1917. Anchoring the Laura Street African American Business District, Janie operated the rooming house until 1975, providing overnight accommodations during the era of segregation for various black professionals, including doctors, teachers, entertainers, and Negro League baseball players. The Bings’ descendants deeded the house to the Improvement League of Plant City Community Development Corporation in 1999. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, and was restored with the direct support of the

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City of Plant City, citizens of Plant City, and Florida Division of Historical Resources.

Erected 2017 by Improvement League of Plant City Community Development Corporation and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-987.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 28° 0.851′ N, 82° 6.959′ W. Marker is in Plant City, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is at the intersection of Allen Street and East Laura Street, on the right when traveling south on Allen Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Allen Street, Plant City FL 33563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

Bing Rooming House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2019

2. Bing Rooming House and Marker

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Echebucsassa Post Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Plant City Union Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town of Plant City (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. half a mile away); Plant City High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Methodist Episcopal Church South (approx. 0.7 miles away); Marine PFC Edward L. Wise (approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plant City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cow Cavalry (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Bing Rooming House Museum. (Submitted on April 5, 2019.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 631 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.