Belcher-Nixon building: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Belcher-Nixon building.JPG|right|thumb| | [[Image:Belcher-Nixon building.JPG|right|thumb|425px|The Belcher-Nixon building in March 2011]] | ||
The '''Belcher-Nixon building''' at 1726-30 [[20th Street Ensley]] is a two-story brick building, the last commercial structure standing at the historic [[Tuxedo Junction]] in [[Ensley]]. | The '''Belcher-Nixon building''' at 1726-30 [[20th Street Ensley]] is a two-story brick building, the last commercial structure standing at the historic [[Tuxedo Junction]] in [[Ensley]]. | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
Dentist and [[Civil Rights movement|civil rights activist]] [[John Nixon]] took over Belcher's practice in [[1951]] and worked from the building until he retired in [[1988]]. During the time he spent as President of the Alabama branch of the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]], he maintained the organization's state headquarters office in the building. The upper floor became the headquarters of [[United Service Associates]], a facilities maintenance firm Nixon founded with [[A. G. Gaston]] and [[Arthur Shores]]. | Dentist and [[Civil Rights movement|civil rights activist]] [[John Nixon]] took over Belcher's practice in [[1951]] and worked from the building until he retired in [[1988]]. During the time he spent as President of the Alabama branch of the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]], he maintained the organization's state headquarters office in the building. The upper floor became the headquarters of [[United Service Associates]], a facilities maintenance firm Nixon founded with [[A. G. Gaston]] and [[Arthur Shores]]. | ||
Nixon died in December 1988, leaving the building to his wife, Margaret. The upper floor still houses United Service Associates while the ground floor is vacant. | Nixon died in December 1988, leaving the building to his wife, Margaret. The upper floor still houses United Service Associates while the ground floor, which housed the [[Tuxedo Variety Store]] and [[Black Pearl (bar)|Black Pearl]] nightclub in later years. is vacant. | ||
The [[Jefferson County Historical Commission]] and [[Alabama Historical Commission]] have recognized the building's importance. It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on [[August 12]], [[2009]]. [[Main Street Birmingham]] is promoting a proposal to convert the building into a cultural center. | The [[Jefferson County Historical Commission]] and [[Alabama Historical Commission]] have recognized the building's importance. It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on [[August 12]], [[2009]]. [[Main Street Birmingham]] is promoting a proposal to convert the building into a cultural center. | ||
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
[[Category:Clinics]] | [[Category:Clinics]] | ||
[[Category:Event spaces]] | [[Category:Event spaces]] | ||
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places]] | [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Birmingham]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:33, 21 October 2020
The Belcher-Nixon building at 1726-30 20th Street Ensley is a two-story brick building, the last commercial structure standing at the historic Tuxedo Junction in Ensley.
The building was constructed in 1922 as the office of dentist Andrew Belcher. It housed a meeting hall for the American Woodmen Union Relief Benevolent Society Camp #65 on the upper floor. Erskine Hawkins' 1939 song "Tuxedo Junction" was played at dances held in the hall.
Dentist and civil rights activist John Nixon took over Belcher's practice in 1951 and worked from the building until he retired in 1988. During the time he spent as President of the Alabama branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, he maintained the organization's state headquarters office in the building. The upper floor became the headquarters of United Service Associates, a facilities maintenance firm Nixon founded with A. G. Gaston and Arthur Shores.
Nixon died in December 1988, leaving the building to his wife, Margaret. The upper floor still houses United Service Associates while the ground floor, which housed the Tuxedo Variety Store and Black Pearl nightclub in later years. is vacant.
The Jefferson County Historical Commission and Alabama Historical Commission have recognized the building's importance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 2009. Main Street Birmingham is promoting a proposal to convert the building into a cultural center.
Occupants
- Andrew Belcher, dentist (owner, 1922-51)
- John Nixon, dentist (owner, 1951-88)
- J. E. Stevens, barber and tailor (1925-1928)
- Adolph Rathman, grocer (1922-25)
- G. W. Thonton's billiard parlor (1925-28)
- J. H. Smith's restaurant (1925-28)
- Edward Allen (1928-)
- G. N. Adamson, physician (1930-)
- American Woodmen Union Relief Benevolent Society Camp #65 (1930-)
- James Robertson, pharmacist (1931-60)
- Jacob Cantavespre, coal dealer (1931-37)
- Peter Sims, coal dealer (1937-1940s)
- Thomas Dotson, shoe repairs (1938-)
- Mamie Pickett, laundress (1935-1947)
- Tuxedo Beauty Parlor (1947-1953)
- Tuxedo Variety Store (1953-1980s)
- Help One Another Club (1960s-)
- Christ Temple AFM Church
- United Service Associates (-present)
- Booker T. Washington Insurance Company (1960s-80s)
- Marque Jackson, physician
- Andrew Roberton, physician
- Isaac Graves, dentist (1940s)
- Ramsey Cole, dentist (1940s)
- Pauline Nzeribe, dentist (1990s)
References
- Schneider, David B. (March 17, 2008) "Belcher-Nixon Building" National Register of Historic Places registration form.
- Enzweiler, Susan (September 18, 2009) "Belcher-Nixon Building in Ensley listed to National Register" press release. Alabama Historical Commission
- Ruisi, Anne (October 5, 2009) Hope anew for Ensley revival." Birmingham News