History Gallery

: Before

: After. Parramore History: The background text on all panels is from the 1960 Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce. Among the many historical figures and community fixtures featured on the panels are: Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, the first African American elected to office in Orlando, holding the court order announcing him the winner of the City Council Election in 1972; Goff’s Drive In ice cream stand, which was bombed by the KKK in 1951; and the John H. Jackson Recreation Center, which was previously the Colored Servicemen’s Club and later the site of the only community swimming pool for Black youth during the Jim Crow era. (Info Obtained from: https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-pays-tribute-to-parramore-community-with-new-custom-glass-artwork-at-downtown-campus/)

: The Negro Motorist Green Book: For nearly 30 years, a guide called the “Negro Motorist Green Book” provided African Americans with advice on safe places to eat and sleep when they traveled through the Jim Crow-era United States. They provided a rundown of hotels, guest houses, service stations, drug stores, taverns, barber shops and restaurants that were known to be safe ports of call for African American travelers. Victor H. Green published it annually from 1936 to 1966 when discrimination against African Americans was widespread. (Info Obtained From: https://www.history.com/news/the-green-book-the-black-travelers-guide-to-jim-crow-america and https://transcription.si.edu/project/7955)

: Mt. Zion Baptist Church: In April 1880, the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church was organized by the Rev. C.J. Scott, who came to Orlando from Monticello, Florida. Rev. Scott built a “bush arbor” for Mount Zion on the corner of Robinson Street and the east side of North Division Street. Rev. H.K. Hill succeeded Rev. Stokes in 1910. It was during his administration that the original Mount Zion moved to the corner of Washington and Chatham Streets. Rev. Hill and Mrs. Hill worked in partnership and brought to the Orlando community such activities as Women’s Day and Boys and Girls Scouting. They also created singing groups that received highest ratings in state singing conventions. One of the most memorable programs Mrs. Hill replicated from the conventions and implemented at Mount Zion was to set aside a Sunday to recognize women in their churches for their outstanding Christian service. This day is known as “Women’s Day” which Mt. Zion continues to celebrate every fourth Sunday in October along with the addition of special services focusing on women serving in church and community, such as “Evening in White,” “Hattitude Brunch,” and participation in the annual “Strides Against Breast Cancer” 5K walk in downtown Orlando. (Info Obtained From: http://www.mtzionmbic.org/history-of-mt-zion-mbic/)

: Picture with MLK: On March 6th, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Orlando and gave a speech at Tinker Field. Appearing in the photograph at the steps of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Orlando from left to right is John Truesdell, Frank O’Neill, Mabel Richardson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sandra Poston Johnson, Rev. Jim Perry and Rosemary Budley. (Info Obtained From: https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/10545)

: Jones High School: Believed to have been established in 1895, the school now known as Jones High School was first an old frame building on the southwest corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street. Later it was moved to the corner of Jefferson and Chatham Streets and was named Johnson Academy in Honor of Lymus Johnson, the principal. In 1912, L.C. Jones became principal of Johnson Academy. Under his leadership, a new school was built in 1921 on the corner of Washington Street and Parramore Avenue. Because his family donated the land for the school, the school was renamed Jones High School. The students of grades six through ten were moved in. Near the latter part of Jones’ administration, the remaining grades were moved from Johnson Academy to Jones High School, and the school term was lengthened from five to nine months. By 1929, grades one through twelve were in operation. In 1931, Jones High School had its first graduation of students completing the twelfth grade. At the end of this term, Mr. Jones was transferred to Oakland, Florida, and A.J. Polk was named principal. In 1952, Jones High School moved to its current home on Rio Grande Avenue. (Info Obtained From: https://joneshs.ocps.net/school_information/history)

: Booker T. Washington Library: The Orange County Library System and the Shiloh Baptist Church celebrated the history of the former Booker T. Washington Library on December 30, 2001. A commemorative bronze plaque was unveiled at the previous site of the Library at 528 West Jackson Street. The building now houses the T. C. Collier Center, which belongs to the Church. The Booker T. Washington Branch of the Albertson Public Library served residents of the west Orlando community. the Library was opened in June 1924 in what had been the rectory of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 107 South Terry Street. The City of Orlando constructed the new BTW Library building on West Jackson Street. It opened to the public in August 1954. The library continued to serve the community until 1984 when it was incorporated into the Washington Park Library in the Lila Mitchell Community Center on Raleigh Street. The City of Orlando owned the building until 1994 when the Church purchased it. The Church re-named the building the T.C. Collier Center in 1995. (Info Obtained From: https://www.ocls.info/about/library-history)

: Jones High School: Believed to have been established in 1895, the school now known as Jones High School was first an old frame building on the southwest corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street. Later it was moved to the corner of Jefferson and Chatham Streets and was named Johnson Academy in Honor of Lymus Johnson, the principal. In 1912, L.C. Jones became principal of Johnson Academy. Under his leadership, a new school was built in 1921 on the corner of Washington Street and Parramore Avenue. Because his family donated the land for the school, the school was renamed Jones High School. The students of grades six through ten were moved in. Near the latter part of Jones’ administration, the remaining grades were moved from Johnson Academy to Jones High School, and the school term was lengthened from five to nine months. By 1929, grades one through twelve were in operation. In 1931, Jones High School had its first graduation of students completing the twelfth grade. At the end of this term, Mr. Jones was transferred to Oakland, Florida, and A.J. Polk was named principal. In 1952, Jones High School moved to its current home on Rio Grande Avenue.(Info Obtained From: https://joneshs.ocps.net/school_information/history)

: Carver Theatre: The Carver Theatre was the last one built in the African-American community in Orlando. Opening October 28, 1949 with John Wayne in “Red River”, the theatre featured a large elaborate marquee that was well lighted, with many lines for letters. The stage featured screen curtains. As the city began its integration process, business fell off to the point that it simply had to close during the early-1960’s. The building stood until early-2005, when it was demolished. The Carver was built by a local celery grower named Charles T. Niblack, and was operated for him by Harry Gordon, formerly of Florida State Theatres. Like many other southern theaters built for black patrons during the era of segregation, this house was named for African American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. Children’s admission was 9 cents and adults 35 cents. (Info Obtained From: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/14555)

: Goff’s Drive In: Goff’s Drive-In is a family-owned ice cream shop that has been serving Central Florida since 1948 (and still continues to serve ice cream today). It was bombed by the KKK in 1951. (Info Obtained From: Company FB page and Parramore Room Virtual Tour Page)

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