Sanborn Fire Map Block 7

Block 7 is located on the west side of Jefferson Street between Main and Bay Streets. The back side of this block faces Quincy Street.

Significant Structures

Hotel Oakland – occupied the north east corner of block 7 according to the 1913 Sanborn map. The hotel was missing from the 1917 Sanborn map, which leads us to believe the building might have fallen prey to fire. The Polk Florida Gazetteer 1911-1912, listed the Hotel Oakland with Mrs. M. L. McDougal as proprietor and room rates were $2.00.

Sometime between 1917 and 1924 a new two story brick building was erected in the same location. The brick building housed numerous businesses over the years, including several motor car operations. Later the building was the home of Perry Furniture Co., and after a short period of time, Wells Jewelry remodeled the building and occupied it for many years until the business closed in early 2001. The building had been subdivided to include a number of businesses including Beauty shops, office space, and an upholstery operation.

Before 1924 a dwelling was built behind the brick building and still survives today and is used as office space.

Also before 1924 a strange grouping of small store fronts (looks to be about 18) were built facing Jefferson and Main Streets. In the middle of the block a large structure called a garage was constructed. I have not been able to identify the owner or the occupants of any of these structures.

By 1944, all of the small store fronts and the large garage are gone and a filling station is on the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets.

In 1946, a building was built on the corner of Quincy and Main Streets, facing Main Street. This was the new business of Brown and Williams Motors. They were the dealers Kaiser and Frazer automobiles. Over the years I remember the building being occupied by Leverette - Bunting Motors selling Chrysler products. The building was used for about twenty years as an Army Reserve Center, and during this time the building was owned by Mr. Jules Martin, who owned the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. After the Army Reserve closed the Perry branch, the building was purchased by and was home of Louques Vending Co., owned by Wayne Jones.

The building was completely remodeled in 2001 to house a medical facility that offer dialysis to local patents.

The Wells building also known as the Bethea building is standing vacant, the house is being used as a Lawyer office and the filling station is now serving as a restaurant.

And so it goes, nothing stays the same.