Photographs © Copyright 1997, The Landes Image. Photograph of Homeland School interior courtesy of Steve Webber, The Ledger. Text, © Copyright 1997, Downtown Bartow, Inc.

In keeping with the historical theme of this map, the names shown are those of the original owners (where known) or users; most of the structures have changed ownership several times since they were built.

1 ... 150 East Davidson Street Built around 1911, this one-story Masonry Vernacular office building originally was a residence. Masonry Vernacular structures often were built by lay or self-taught builders. 2 ... Dr. Bethea Residence and Office 310 East Davidson Street This two-story frame residence is believed to have been built around 1885. It was the residence and office of a chiropractor, Dr. V. C. Bethea, and had been vacant and in disrepair for years before its restoration as The Talisman Restaurant and Gift Shop in 1990. The second floor was damaged by fire in 1997. It was restored again and a private dining room and gift shop was created on the second floor. Another fire a few years later destroyed the building completely. 3 ... R. W. Crain Residence 835 East Church Street This two-story Frame Vernacular home is believed to have been built around 1906. Like many of Bartow's turn-of-the-century residences, it has been restored to its former grandeur. 4 ... Swearingen-Langford Residence 690 East Church Street This Neoclassical style brick home was built in 1925 for John J. Swearingen, a State Senator and attorney. It was later the home of his daughter Katherine Swearingen Langford, and her husband Richard. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and has served as the location for a movie and several commercials. 5 ... Laura V. Swearingen Residence 650 East Church Street Built in 1912 by William F. Hill, who was building supervisor at the Mountain Lake community for 19 years, this two-story wood frame residence is reported to be the first in Bartow to have central heating. The larger columns in the front of the house are made of brick and covered with cement. 6 ... First Baptist Church 410 East Church Street The First Baptist Church was one of the first two churches founded in Bartow. This building was built in 1925 by S. J. Hargrove at a cost of $60,000. Its Neoclassical style represents a revival of interest in the late 1800s of the architectural forms of ancient Greeks and Romans. 7 ... Old Civic Center 495 North Wilson Avenue Built as a "make-work" project by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in 1934, this building was the social center of Bartow's young people for two generations. The field stone building has a recreation hall at its center which served as both a banquet room and a performing hall. A large swimming pool and a smaller wading pool provided relief from the heat long before air conditioning was common. The building, replaced by a new civic center in 1967, is owned by the City of Bartow, and is now the site of the Oaks School. 8 ... 510 North Oak Avenue This one-story Frame Vernacular home is believed to have been built around 1895, based on buildings of comparable size and design. Notable architectural features include a gable roof with cross gable and decorative truss work. 9 ... 475 North Oak Avenue This two-story Frame Vernacular residence is believed to have been built in the late 1800's. Originally located in the 600 block of East Church Street, it was moved to its present location around 1885. It has a large porch on two sides and a porte cochere, today more commonly called a carport. 10 ... Hugh Wear Residence 310 South Orange Avenue This two-story home, exhibiting Gothic Revival archiecture, was built in 1889, placing it among the oldest homes in Bartow. Like the majority of the homes on this tour, it has been extensively renovated.

	Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 North Broadway Avenue Bartow, Florida 33830-3918 phone: 863-533-7125 fax: 863-533-3793 email: discoverbartow@bartowchamber.com	Area Websites ... Chamber News Community Calendar ... Community Profile Contact and Directors ... Historic Bartow Chamber Home ... Map and Directions Membership Directory ... Membership Information
© 1998-2005 Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce