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The Wells' Built Museum in Orlando, Florida covers over six-thousand square feet. It's
named after Doctor William Monroe Wells. He was one of Orlando's first black doctors and
at one time the city's only black doctor. He built his home on South Street in nineteen-twenty-one,
and by nineteen-twenty-six began construction of Wells' Built Hotel. The hotel initially
opened with three storefronts on the first floor, and hotel rooms on the second floor.
The Wells' Built Hotel was built to give African-Americans a place to stay during segregation. Doctor
Wells wanted African-Americans to have some access to the same services that were available
to white citizens. Next to the Wells' Built Hotel was the South Street Casino. The South
Street Casino was a performance hall that featured musicians with the Chitlin Circuit.
African-Americans came from all over Orlando to see their favorite musicians perform there.
Ella Fitzgerald, Roy Campanella, Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson were among the
famous people who stayed at Wells' Built Hotel. The Wells' Built Hotel and South Street Casino
are dedicated to preserving the history of Orlando's African-American heritage.