Jackson Rooming House

The Jackson Rooming House, also known as Jackson House, is a historic building constructed in 1901 and used as a boarding house. The Jackson House provided accommodations to African-Americans during the Jim Crow Era. On March 7, 2007, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. As of 2023, the house has fallen into serious disrepair. An organization called the Jackson House Foundation has been working to save and restore the house.

Located at the north end of downtown and just one block from the Tampa Union Station, sits this 24-room home began as a six-room cottage and was built by Moses and Sarah Jackson in 1901. The Jackson family decided to add rooms and another story so they could operate a boarding house. During the early 20th century, African American travelers had few options for lodging beyond staying in the homes of friends and relatives. As a result, Black-owned hotels and boarding houses were essential for travelers.

The Jackson Rooming House has seen some famous faces in over the years. The home has offered boarding to Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and William James "Count" Basie, and even Jackie Robinson. Until the 1960s, these and other guests often performed in nightclubs located in the Black business district on Central Avenue.

In a period called the Urban Renewal in the 1970s, the areas surrounding the Jackson House were destroyed or leveled. It is the lone survivor left from the vibrant Central Avenue district. Vacant lots still surround the home today.

The Jackson Rooming House was eventually handed down to Jackson grandchildren and the rooming house closed in 1989. Since then, the home has fallen on hard times. Today the roof is battered and the interior is falling apart. Over the years, the Jackson's grandson, Willie Robinson Jr. has done his best at preserving the property, but has been faced with violations from code enforcement. There has been a lot of controversy over the future of the home the past few years involving Mayor Buckhorn. Today the future of the home still remains unclear.

Ramos, Yoselis. "The Jackson House: Still an Unpolished Gem." Accessed July 11, 2015. http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/jackson-house-still-unpolished-gem.

Taylor, Erica L. "Little Known Black History Fact: The Jackson Rooming House." Black America Web. Accessed July 11, 2015. http://Blackamericaweb.com/2014/02/04/little-known-Black-history-fact-the-jackson-rooming-house.

Weible, David. "Tampa's Jackson Rooming House; Music to Preservationists Ears." Accessed July 11, 2015. http://blog.preservationnation.org/2014/05/19/tampas-jackson-rooming-house-music-preservationists-ears/#.VaGDz_mVC0o

Photo Credits:

http://blog.preservationnation.org/2014/05/19/tampas-jackson-rooming-house-music-preservationists-ears/#.VaGDz_mVC0o

http://www.yelp.com/biz/jackson-rooming-house-tampa http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/latest-effort-to-save-tampas-historic-jackson-house-fizzles/2148630