Dr. William Monroe Wells, one of Orlandoâs first African American physicians, operated with the mindset that care extended beyond his patientâs physical wellbeing to the wellbeing of the community as a whole â leading to long-term investments in the Parramore Districtâs infrastructure and economy. When he noticed African Americans visiting Orlando could not find lodging, he funded and built the WellsâBuilt Hotel.
The hotelâs 20 rooms on the second floor provided lodging to African Americans during segregation and the first floor was rented to Black business owners, creating an economic boost for the community. It was one of only two hotels in Orlando listed in the Green Book, a guide that helped African Americans find safe places while traveling during the Jim Crow era.
Next door, Dr. Wells built South Street Casino, a no gambling community center with a basketball court and skating rink for Black youth not allowed into whites-only parks. In the evening, it served as an entertainment venue and social club that became an icon of the African American music community and part of the Chitlinâ Circuit.
Hotel guests and casino performers included Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, B.B. King and Louis Armstrong. When Jackie Robinson traveled to Orlando in 1947, his team stayed at the Angebilt Hotel and he stayed at the WellsâBuilt.
The Wells’Built Today
The WellsâBuilt Hotel closed following desegregation. The South Street Casino, later known as the Quarterback Club, was demolished in 1987 after the building was damaged by a fire.
The hotel fell into disrepair until Trust for Public Land purchased the building in 1994. The building was restored with the help of the Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition and former Florida Representative Alzo J. Reddick and Florida Senator Geraldine Thompson. It is one of just a few structures listed in the Green Book still standing.
The hotel building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and opened as the WellâsBuilt Museum of African American History and Culture in February 2001 in celebration of Black History Month. The Museum collection includes 20th century home goods, African artwork and musical instruments, a display dedicated to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and a hotel room as it would have been in the 1930s.
Celebrating Orlando’s History
You can read more about historic downtown Orlando, including maps and photos, at Orlando Memory.
To celebrate 150 years of The City Beautiful, Orlando is hosting a year-long celebration filled with community events, historical exhibits and public art installations. Residents and visitors alike can participate in a variety of activities, including volunteering, supporting local businesses and exploring the city’s rich history. Orange County Library System has created three unique City of Orlando photo ops featuring the city’s lakes, the historic Wells’Built Hotel and Orange Avenue, currently on display at Orlando Public Library, to share some of the cityâs most iconic and memorable locations.
To commemorate this historic anniversary, the public is invited to join in celebrating the past, present and future by sharing personal Orlando history. Visit engage.orlando.gov/150-anniversary to share written narratives, photos, articles, newspaper clippings or any other materials that tell an Orlando story. Contributions will be featured on the city’s community history board throughout the year.
