Building 22nd Street S.

Building 22nd Street S.. Community, Culture, and Commerce . 22nd Street South Corridor. African-American Contractors , During the 1920s, the demand for construction workers was so great that contractors sent agents to Georgia and Alabama to entice African-American workers to come to St. Petersburg. When a white city worker hired a black contractor to build a house for him 1925, it was viewed by some residents as an “attempt of negroes to invade white districts." In response, the City Commission voted that “the letting of contracts, to negro contractors for work in the white sections of the city be disapproved,” effectively limiting African-American contractors to work in their own neighborhoods., African-American contractors James Buggs and Thompson Kelley Childs built the buildings at 951-63, 941-47, 927-29, 855-63 22nd Street around 1925. Although the extent of their work may never be known, it is apparent they contributed significantly to this community. Arriving from Georgia in 1923, contractor Peter "P. P." Perkins also built a number of significant buildings including Trinity Presbyterian Church, Melrose Clubhouse, the “gymnatorium” at Gibbs High School, and the Moure Building at 909-13 22nd Street S., 951-63 22nd Street S. , John Merriwether constructed this building in 1925 with five stores and a hotel above, one of only five in the city for African Americans. Businesses located in the building over the cars include Minnie Evans's Blue Moon Beer Garden. Coleman Davis’s billiard hall, S&S Grocery, Maggie's Beauty Box, and the Royal Hotel., 941-47 22nd Street S. , Merriwether also built this three-unit building in 1925. Businesses that occupied this building include Isaac Kaufman Dry Goods, Lester’s Dry Cleaners, Alberta Smith’s Beauty Shop, and Red Star Market. It was demolished in 1985., 931-37 22nd Street S. , Sam Jones had this three-unit store constructed in 1925. Businesses which occupied the building including Oscar Kleckley’s Barber Shop, Elijah Pope's Cleaners, Vinnette Sherman's Shop, Leola's Beauty Salon and Arthur Robinson’s Grocery. It was demolished in 1985., 927-29 22nd Street S. , Wayman Whitaker had this structure built 1925. It had two stores and eight rooms on the second floor. Shag Restaurant, Powell’s Fish Market, and Rosa Johnson’s Restaurant occupied this building., Commercial Vernacular Architecture , For historic main streets across America, the storefront is the most important architectural feature. It plays a crucial role in a store’s advertisement, drawing customers and increasing business. The buildings along 22nd Street S. were no exception., The buildings along 22nd are typical of 20th century commercial construction with designs indicative of African-American main street. They are mostly two stories with large storefront windows opening to stores, restaurants, or bars on the first floor and living space above. Often buildings were designed to accommodate several businesses., (captions) , 931-37, 941-47, and 951-63 22nd Street S. 1963. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Times., Photos courtesy of the Jordan Park Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg., Merriweather Building undergoing repairs in 1965. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Times.