Parramore in Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wells' Built Hotel

511 West South Street

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 19, 2021

1. Wells’ Built Hotel Marker

Inscription. Dr. William Monroe Wells Constructed this Hotel in 1926. It provided lodging to African Americans during segregation when rooms were not available to them in other areas. Many dignitaries, such as Thurgood Marshall, and many famous Black entertainers and athletes stayed here including Jackie Robinson and Ella Fitzgerald. Next-door was Dr. Wells' South Street Casino where many of the entertainers performed for the Black community.

Erected by The Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 28° 32.303′ N, 81° 23.125′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. It is in Parramore. It is on West South Street 0.1 miles west of South Division Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The Wells' Built Hotel now houses the Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 W South St, Orlando FL 32805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

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,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lynching of Arthur Henry / Racial Violence in America (a few steps from this marker); Hankins Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Bumby Hardware (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1885 Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); First National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Orlando Bank & Trust (approx. 0.4 miles away); Original Jones High School / Callahan Elementary School (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orlando.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Holden-Parramore Historic District (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . The Wells’Built: Rich Echoes of the Past on South Street.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 19, 2021

2. Wells’ Built Hotel Marker

(Submitted on December 20, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Diane Murphy, February 2024

3. Wells' Built Hotel Marker

Photographed by Diane Murphy, February 2024

4. Wells' Built Hotel Marker

Photographed by Diane Murphy, February 2024

5. Wells' Built Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 619 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 20, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 14, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.