Page 92 - lake-city-florida-a-sesquicentennial-tribute-(h-morris-williams-kevin-mccarthy)-2009

Lake City, Florida: A Sesquicentennial Tribute (2009) H. Morris Williams, Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Hotel Blanche

Workers built the Hotel Blanche in 1902 to be a main draw
downtown for the expected tourists. According to Dictionary of
Florida Historic Places, the structure at 212 North Marion Street
is a T-shaped, three-story ma-
sonry building that had addi-
tions to it in 1924 and 1925. It
was Lake City’s and Columbia
County’s major hotel, social
facility, and central business
center from 1902 to 1955.
Frank Pierce Milburn, one of
the Southeast’s leading archi-
tects, designed it. 31
The Hotel Blanche
Even today in the 21st century, the elegance of the hotel is
such that newlyweds have their photograph taken on the grand
staircase in the lobby (see photograph below).

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