| After I had received a general overview of the | | | | services that were provided to white citizens. This |
| history of the Orlando area in the Orange County | | | | led him to build the South Street Casino and the hotel |
| Regional History Center, I wanted to delve a little | | | | next door.Dr. Wells booked bands and other big name |
| deeper into the social history of the Orlando area, | | | | entertainers to perform at the South Street Casino. |
| and the Wells Built Museum of African American | | | | Many famous performers that we know today |
| History and Culture was going to give me a more | | | | played at South Street Casino within the Chitlin |
| in-depth look into Orlando's African American | | | | Circuit. A few examples of these performers are:- |
| history.To this day this area west of I-4 is primarily | | | | Ray Charles |
| inhabited by African Americans and the difference in | | | | - B.B. King |
| housing and facilities between this area and the | | | | - Louis Armstrong |
| downtown area is quite notable. As a matter of fact, | | | | - Guitar Slim |
| the very name "Division Street" points to a distinct | | | | - Bo DiddleyAfrican Americans came from all over |
| historical line of demarcation between black and white | | | | the surrounding areas to Orlando to shop and take in |
| residential areas.The origins of the Wells Built Museum | | | | performances of popular musicians at the South |
| date back to a prominent local African physician by | | | | Street Casino. After the performances at the casino, |
| the name of Dr. William Monroe Wells who started | | | | the artists checked in at the historic Wells' Built Hotel. |
| building the Well's Built Hotel in 1926 to provide lodging | | | | In its heyday, the Wells' Built provided lodging for |
| to African Americans during an era of segregation | | | | clientele such as Pegleg Bates, Ella Fitzgerald, Roy |
| when accommodations were not available to them in | | | | Campenella, Thurgood Marshall, and Jackie Robinson. |
| other areas of Central Florida.Next door to the Wells' | | | | The entertainers and athletes who frequented this |
| Built was once the South Street Casino, a | | | | establishment made it one of the most popular |
| performance hall, which featured musicians that | | | | venues for African Americans in the South.Today the |
| traveled the 'Chitlin Circuit' performing for audiences all | | | | museum features over 6,000 square feet of display |
| over the country. The hotel opened with three | | | | space. It retains the original hotel facade, a |
| storefronts on the first floor and hotel rooms on the | | | | guestroom featuring authentic furniture, beading and |
| second floor.Dr. William Monroe Wells was one of | | | | decorations of the 1930's, and also bears an original |
| Orlando's first black physicians and came to the area | | | | interior wall reflecting important architectural elements |
| in 1917. Born in Ft. Gaines, Georgia, in 1889, Dr. Wells | | | | and designs unique to the period. Exhibition material |
| completed his medical training at Meharry Medical | | | | collected for display include: official hotel documents, |
| College. During part of WWII, Dr. William Monroe | | | | an original Negro League baseball jersey, photographs, |
| Wells was the only African American physician in | | | | artifacts, books, multi-media exhibits, slave records |
| Orlando.During segregation, white physicians did not | | | | and other items of historic significance.Dr. Well's home |
| treat African American patients. African American | | | | has been moved to the site of the Casino and will be |
| doctors, therefore, earned their money from people | | | | restored and opened to the public. The Well's Built |
| of their own race. He worked very hard to serve the | | | | Museum of African American Culture and History is |
| growing African American population in Orlando. With | | | | located just west of I-4 near Church Street at 511 |
| the help of his assistant, Mrs. Josie Belle Jackson, Dr. | | | | West South Street, Orlando 32801, tel. (407) |
| Wells is known to have delivered over 5,000 babies in | | | | 245-7535.Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a |
| Orlando.He treated patients who suffered from | | | | website called Travel and Transitions ( Travel and |
| pneumonia, influenza, scarlet fever and other serious | | | | Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is |
| illnesses before drugs like penicillin were introduced. | | | | chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, |
| Many of Dr. Wells' patients were extremely poor. He | | | | interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights |
| treated their illnesses though they many times could | | | | and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and |
| not afford to pay his fee. This allowed them to | | | | many other features. You will also find stories about |
| speak forcefully against poor conditions that existed | | | | life and the transitions that we face as we go |
| in the African American community without fear of | | | | through our own personal life-long journeys.Submit |
| losing their livelihood.Although African Americans were | | | | your own travel stories in our first travel story |
| taxpayers like other residents of Orlando, they did | | | | contest ( and have a chance to win an amazing |
| not have access to recreational facilities, good | | | | adventure cruise on the Amazon River."Life is a |
| schools, police protection, health care and other | | | | Journey Explore New Horizons". |