91 Washington Street

91 Washington Street

91 Washington Street, St. Augustine, Fla. 32084

Edward and Gladys McRae

Undertaker

Until the late 19th century this block formed the western bank of Maria Sanchez Creek. In the 18th and 19th centuries a series of walkways or bridges crossed the marshes in the vicinity of Bridge Street, and this thoroughfare led to one of three late colonial ferry crossings across the San Sebastian River. After the Civil War, the community of Africa, later called Lincolnville, soon developed on the marshlands as newly freed Blacks began renting the property from the city. Lincolnville expanded west of Washington Street by the mid-1880's, at which time Henry Flagler filled in the Creek to St. Francis Street. The Cordova Street side of the block, running parallel to the 18th century Rosario defense line, was used for quarters for the employees at the Flagler hotels, offices of the St. Augustine record, and some private residences. The Washington Street side became an extension of Lincolnville and developed into a prosperous early 20th century Black commercial district. The southern tip of the block was developed in the mid-1890's by Heth Canfield's St. Augustine Park Association as part of the planned Water Park around the newly dredged Maria Sanchez Lake. In 1904 the building located in the Black business and commercial section of the city at 91 Washington Street, was the residence and business of a Black druggist, Z. J. Jerry, who also shared the building with Dr. S. W. Jefferson, a Black dentist. Later Horace Moran and Wilmington Sanks two other Black businessmen, opened a restaurant on this site. In 1934 a new owner, Henry Martin, renamed the restaurant the Old Reliable Cafe. By 1940, however, the building was used as an undertaking establishment owned by Holmes Walker. Today the building is occupied by McRae's Beauty Parlor.

The two-story Frame Vernacular commercial structure/residential building at 91 Washington Street was constructed between 1899 and 1904, and is one of the earlier buildings in this area. The original wood siding as been covered over with asbestos shingles and the first floor porch removed. The second floor has a screened porch on the front and there is an outside staircase on the north side. The Lincolnville area first developed along Washington Street after the Civil War, but the development that preceeded its heyday took place in the Flagler era. The 1885 Birds-Eye view of St. Augustine shows churches and small residences scattered along the banks of Maria Sanchez Creek. The 1894 Birds-Eye shows the Creek filled in, where the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels and Ponce de Leon Barracks were built. By this tine several commercial buildings had been constructed along Washington Street. By the early 20th century it played the role of "Main Street" in Lincolnville. Washington Street has long been a thoroughfare of combines usages -- residential buildings shared the street with churches, commercial and fraternal buildings. Many buildings along the street have combined usages as well, with commercial first floors and residential second floors. Washington Street has some of the city's few surviving wooden Victorian commercial structures. Earlier buildings along the street are also wood frame. while later ones are masonry. There are problems of deterioration, abandonment, vandalism, and demolition of buildings along Washington Street.

David Nolan

McKenna Hanegan

Florida Master Site File

Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board

7807

8SJ2324