ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Parramore is more than meets the eye; there’s a rich history in the Orlando neighborhood.
On Thursday, News 6 joined dozens of others aboard the Parramore Historic Bus Tour, courtesy of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board.
The tour guide — City Commissioner Regina Hill — shared information about the area’s history on the ride around Parramore, which is the oldest African American neighborhood in Orlando.
One stop was at the Maxey-Crooms House.
Woodford James Maxey and his wife, Mamie Crooms, were prominent members of Orlando’s black community. Maxey became one of Orlando’s three original letter carriers.
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Christie Versace has lived in Orlando since 1980, and she told News 6 that the tour was an educational experience.
“I’m really excited because I’m learning a lot of different things that I didn’t know living here,” she said.
Another stop on the tour was the Tinker Field baseball stadium.
“We put some policy in place that nothing can be built on Tinker Field if it’s not related to baseball, so Tinker Field is one of the protected areas,” Hill explained.
That policy came after the original stadium was torn down in 2015. Civil rights activist Martin Luther King gave his only speech in Central Florida from the pitching mound of the field, and the talented Jackie Robinson even played a game there.
Thursday’s tour group got a few minutes to explore the historic plaza, dedicated to prominent figures who once walked the field.
Lorna Johnson said the gems of Parramore are often overlooked. She told News 6 that when it comes to Parramore, many people think of high crime rates and a lack of education.
But she added that the tour helps to educate others on the historic value of the area.
“What is occurring to make the difference — that’s what we need to hear,” she said. “We always hear the bad, you know, the news always wants to broadcast all the bad, but there’s good that is being done.”
The last stop of the tour was Well’s Built Museum — once the Well’s Built Hotel — which was opened by Dr. William Monroe Wells.
After he died, the city took it over, and the building sat abandoned for 25 years.
“It was slated to be demolished, and the founder, Sen. Geraldine Thompson, today got involved, and we’re now utilizing this space as a museum, and it’s registered historically,” Hill said.
Famous singer and pianist Ray Charles stayed at the hotel after performing at the South Street Casino, which was also owned by Wells.
The museum has a replica of the rooms they offered.
“When they had the sundown town stuff going on and you were a musician, when you got done performing, it wasn’t guaranteed that you could make it back to where you come from,” Hill explained.
As a result, performers would stay at the hotel overnight.
By the end of Thursday’s tour, residents who have lived in or near Orlando for years were able to leave knowing far more than they did beforehand.
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