Old Union Depot Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Old Union Depot Hotel (previously known as the Union Hotel and Cafe) was a historic hotel
and commercial building in Tampa
, Florida
, USA. The building was constructed in 1912 at 858 East Zack Street, directly across Nebraska Avenue from Tampa Union Station. On December 11, 2000, it was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
, however, the building was town down on May 23, 2010.
Built as one of twelve continuous, two-story, brick storefronts around the intersection of Nebraska Avenue and East Zack Street, on the northeastern edge of downtown Tampa
, the building had six sides, an unusual design made necessary by the irregular shape of the lot upon which it was built. The hotel and its neighboring businesses generally catered to train passengers arriving at Union Station, which like the hotel, first opened in 1912. Of those dozen commercial buildings, the Union Hotel structure was the last to remain standing. Its standing as a hotel, however, could not last indefinitely, and after a period of time the Union Hotel and Cafe closed. The building was boarded up and sat vacant for a period of many years, during which time it failed to attract any new occupants.
On December 11, 2000, the Old Union Depot Hotel building was recognized with a listing in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP). It had been hoped that the historic status and accompanying tax incentives would be catalysts towards restoration and preservation of the building, but unfortunately, this would not be the case. After a lengthy period of disuse, and nearly a decade after its NRHP designation, the building suffered a collapse of its roof and was deemed to be hazardous. The city of Tampa
condemned the structure and ordered its demolition, which took place on May 23, 2010.
The Union Hotel and Cafe began its operations during the era of racial segregation
, and functioned as an establishment for "whites only". Train passengers and other travelers who were black were directed about one block west from the hotel along Zack Street to the Jackson House
, a rooming house which was one of the only lodging establishments in the city for blacks. The Jackson Rooming House building, incidentally, was built during the same period as the Union Depot Hotel, and is also NRHP-listed.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and commercial building in Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, USA. The building was constructed in 1912 at 858 East Zack Street, directly across Nebraska Avenue from Tampa Union Station. On December 11, 2000, it was added to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, however, the building was town down on May 23, 2010.
Built as one of twelve continuous, two-story, brick storefronts around the intersection of Nebraska Avenue and East Zack Street, on the northeastern edge of downtown Tampa
Downtown Tampa
Image:Tampa_Skyline.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Downtown Tampa looking from the Hillsborough Riverpoly 2403 537 2441 500 2488 483 2516 455 2566 439 2597 410 2649 390 2682 358 2803 315 2949 342 2956 362 3068 383 3074 406 3202 431 3204 447 3332 473 3350 484 3485 1616 2446 1587 Wachovia Centerpoly 1745 1216...
, the building had six sides, an unusual design made necessary by the irregular shape of the lot upon which it was built. The hotel and its neighboring businesses generally catered to train passengers arriving at Union Station, which like the hotel, first opened in 1912. Of those dozen commercial buildings, the Union Hotel structure was the last to remain standing. Its standing as a hotel, however, could not last indefinitely, and after a period of time the Union Hotel and Cafe closed. The building was boarded up and sat vacant for a period of many years, during which time it failed to attract any new occupants.
On December 11, 2000, the Old Union Depot Hotel building was recognized with a listing in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP). It had been hoped that the historic status and accompanying tax incentives would be catalysts towards restoration and preservation of the building, but unfortunately, this would not be the case. After a lengthy period of disuse, and nearly a decade after its NRHP designation, the building suffered a collapse of its roof and was deemed to be hazardous. The city of Tampa
Tampa City Council
The Tampa City Council is the legislative body of the municipal government of the U.S. city of Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida. The City Council consists of seven members, each representing one of seven corresponding districts from which they were elected...
condemned the structure and ordered its demolition, which took place on May 23, 2010.
The Union Hotel and Cafe began its operations during the era of racial segregation
Racial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
, and functioned as an establishment for "whites only". Train passengers and other travelers who were black were directed about one block west from the hotel along Zack Street to the Jackson House
Jackson Rooming House
The Jackson Rooming House, or simply the Jackson House is a historic building and former boarding house in the city of Tampa, in the U.S. state of Florida. It is located on the north end of downtown at 851 Zack Street, approximately one block west of Tampa Union Station. On March 7, 2007, it was...
, a rooming house which was one of the only lodging establishments in the city for blacks. The Jackson Rooming House building, incidentally, was built during the same period as the Union Depot Hotel, and is also NRHP-listed.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hillsborough County, Florida
- Jackson Rooming HouseJackson Rooming HouseThe Jackson Rooming House, or simply the Jackson House is a historic building and former boarding house in the city of Tampa, in the U.S. state of Florida. It is located on the north end of downtown at 851 Zack Street, approximately one block west of Tampa Union Station. On March 7, 2007, it was...