SUMMARY
The National Register of Historic Places Nominating District comprises seventy (70) buildings and one (1) site located in the core of the Crestview Historic Business District of the City of Crestview, Florida. The historic district is approximately 18.09 acres in size and is mostly situated along both sides of the six (6) blocks of North Main Street between U. S. Highway 90 W. (at the north end) and the CSX Railroad tracks (at the south end) in the central downtown business district. The historic district is primarily two blocks wide, bounded on the east by State Highway 85 N. (Ferdon Boulevard) and on the west by North Wilson Street. Included in the historic district, as contributing property resources are fifty-two (52) buildings and one (1) site, a small (unnamed) passive park located at the northwest corner boundary area of the historic district. The non-contributing property resources include eighteen (18) buildings. The ratio of contributing to non-contributing property resources is seventy-five (75) percent contributing and twenty-five (25) percent non-contributing. The Crestview Historic Business District contains mainly Commercial Vernacular buildings constructed between 1918 and 1955. The Neo-Classical Revival, Masonry Vernacular, Frame Vernacular, and Art Moderne styles are also represented in various instances and apply to a very limited number of the buildings within the historic district. Many, if not most, of the commercial buildings of downtown Crestview could be considered as lacking ornamentation and are distinguishable only by simple low parapets, front gabled roofing, or metal-framed sheet-glass storefronts common for many of Florida's small urban setting business structures built during the first half of the 20th century. There are approximately 12 to14 individual buildings that are most notable in the historic business district. More specific details regarding these individual buildings are addressed in the "contributing buildings description" portion of Section Seven.
SETTING
Crestview is a city with a population of approximately 17,000 and is located in Okaloosa County in the northwestern part of the State of Florida, an area commonly known as the Florida Panhandle. Another 15,000-20,000 residents are within a five to six mile radius of the City of Crestview's municipal boundaries. The City of Crestview is situated about fifty miles northeast of Pensacola, Florida (at the southwest corner of the Florida Panhandle), about 150 miles west of the state's capital city of Tallahassee, Florida, about thirty miles north of Fort Walton Beach, Florida (situated on the Gulf of Mexico coastline), and about twenty miles south of the Alabama-Florida State Line. Interstate Highway 10 and U. S. Highway 90 are the principal east-west routes through Crestview and State Highway 85 is the (only) principal north-south route through the community (and the entire county). With access to the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines and thousands of other points across the nation, the CSX Railroad Lines has tracks that run east-west through the immediate downtown area. The historic business district occupies the center of the downtown business area. Immediately to the northeast of the district is the current major intersection of Highway 90 and Highway 85. From early Crestview history until the late 1970's (when shifted slightly to the east from Main Street), State Highway 85 ran through the center of the downtown Crestview business district and U. S. Hwy 90 was at the northern boundary (and remains today) of the core business district. The Okaloosa County Courthouse and other governmental offices are also situated immediately to the northeast of the historic business district. The current Crestview City Hall building (on North Wilson Street between the railroad tracks and West Woodruff Avenue) borders the western boundary of the district. In the early years of Crestview's history, a City Hall building was within the now determined historic business district. No matter the direction of traffic in earlier years, Crestview's downtown area was significantly affected and the City's core business district was concentrated along Highway 85 (then known also as Main Street - see photo #1 showing street scene from late 1940s time period) between the railroad tracks and Highway 90. Surrounding the Crestview Historic Business District of the city are large residential areas, some of which date from the 1910s-1920s era.
CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS DESCRIPTION
All of the contributing buildings of the historic business district are located on portions of property that principally encompass a six (6) blocks long by two (2) blocks wide area. These blocks are located between U.S. Highway 90 on the north and the CSX Railroad tracks on the south and between State Highway 85 on the east and North Wilson Street on the west. Contributing buildings within this area were constructed between 1918 and 1955. The majority of the contributing buildings are one and two-story commercial vernacular structures with few decorative details. A limited few, however, bear decorative details from styles that were popular in Florida during the early to mid-century time period, particularly Neo-Classical (at 114 East Cedar Avenue - see photo #12) and Art Moderne (at 382 North Main Street - see photo #11).
All of the contributing buildings within the historic district were constructed between 1918 and 1955. Most of them are primarily one and two-story commercial vernacular buildings with low parapets or front gables. The commercial storefront buildings generally have narrow, divided bays and low unornamented parapets. The main facades of the buildings feature ground-floor fixed-display windows and the upper stories have double-hung wooden or metal-framed windows. The older buildings reflect the available materials and simple utilitarian style common in early twentieth-century Southern urban streetscapes. They were most commonly designed with a simple flat or front-gabled roof, a simple upper façade and a storefront with transparent expanses of display glass in plain storefronts. Most store buildings were built immediately adjacent to the sidewalks with fixed metal or fabric awnings that shaded the front entrances. Multiple entrances on the front façade of a single building often accommodated a series of small businesses or professional services providers. Most of the buildings that survive today in the historic business district are of masonry construction (brick, hollow tile, or concrete block) and share connecting walls. Even though some have stucco or metal sheathing applied over their original surfaces, few of the commercial facades have been heavily altered and most of the alterations could be removed to return the structure to its original design and character.
Thirteen of the contributing buildings with notably significant history and/or distinctive stylistic features are identified, with some minimally descriptive details, as follows:
1.) 172 East Woodruff Avenue (construction date was 1929 - see photo #14 for more specific style details)
This building is a single-story commercial vernacular structure with the most remembered occupant being the U. S. Post Office between the 1940's through the 1960's. It is located just one-half block east of Main Street and was a prime location for patron usage during the area's mid-century growth years.
2.) 153 West Woodruff Avenue (construction date was 1937 - see photo #5 for more specific style details)
The building at this site is a two-story commercial vernacular structure with a truly memorable history. This manufacturing plant building (with the initial prime occupant opening as the Smith-Johnson Garment Factory and later operating as the Alatex Textiles Garment Factory) is the only example of historical industrial architecture in Okaloosa County. Its simplicity gives it an elegance with spacious inner areas lit by ribbons of windows on all elevations. It provided the first significant large-scale opportunity for employment in Crestview and assisted the area economy in pulling out of the post Depression era and continued its impact on the area economy even into the 1980's (operating as Rainbow Apparel Manufacturing). The plant produced various items including military clothing and provided significant military support in the years of preparation for and during WW II. It was built while the Choctawhatchee National Forest (just south of Crestview) was being converted to use as nine air and gunnery training fields (now known as Eglin AFB, the largest Air Force base in the world). In the late 1930's through the early 1940's, the building housed some City Hall offices and during the mid-1940's the Red Cross had an office in the building. The City of Crestview and the Red Cross used a portion of the NE lower level for offices in the late 1930's and early 1940's time frame. The building is now owned by the City and efforts are underway to restore this historical structure. The Florida Department of State, Historical Resources Division, recently awarded a $27,000.00 grant to assist in a City project to re-roof the building, the first step in the restoration process.
3.) 158 West Woodruff Avenue (construction date was 1946 - see photo #15 for more specific style details)
The Quonset hut design of this commercial vernacular structure makes it unique within the downtown business district area and one of few such designed structures still standing and being utilized across the nation. The functionality of this type building led it to be adaptable to many kinds of use, especially during, and the years immediately following, World War II. From the late 1940's through the 1950s, this building's principal occupants were garden, seed, and farm supply establishments.
4.) 197 West Pine Avenue (construction date was 1930 - see photo # 16 for more specific style details)
This is a two-story commercial vernacular structure. Even though its structural integrity might initially appear to be questionable, the building probably could be restored sufficiently to provide many more years of service to the community. From a doctor to a justice of the peace to insurance sales to bookkeeping services to apartment dwellers and church goers, this was a hub of activity building site with a variety of essential services provided through the occupant businesses over the years from the 1930s until the 1950s.
5.) 102-104 North Main Street (construction date was 1925 - see photo #7 for more specific style details)
This two-story commercial vernacular structure was another significant building in early Crestview history. Situated immediately next to the train station (demolished in the 1970s), the New Central Café in the building from the 1930s-1980s was frequented often by rail passengers. It was probably the most popular area residents café in Crestview during the early years of the business. A grocery business and a confectionery business were in the building before the café became the principal occupant in the 1930s. The upstairs apartments were usually filled with visitors that arrived by train and needed to stay for a short-term period in the area. A dentist office was also located upstairs during the 1930s.
6.) 198 North Main Street (construction date was 1930 - see photo #3 for more specific style details)
A popular prime location corner lot (commercial vernacular) building less than a block from the train station (demolished in the 1970s) and immediately east of the Smith-Johnson/Alatex Garment Factory, this building's long time occupant (City Pharmacy) was one of only three pharmacies serving the Crestview area during the early years of the 1930s and remained in business until the 1990's. A doctor's office was located at the rear of the building and it was a busy practice that catered to the train travelers, garment factory workers, and other residents of the area. The businesses in the buildings on this site before 1930 also provided valuable services to many Crestview residents.
7.) 267 North Main Street (construction date was 1935 - see photo #17) for more specific style details)
This is a commercial vernacular structure that had commercial dry goods and clothing stores as the predominant occupants of the building from 1935 through the 1950s. A clothing store was situated on this site even in the 1910s and 1920s. These businesses were essential elements of growth during Crestview's early history.
8.) 269 North Main Street (construction date was 1932 - see photo #18 for more specific style details)
A popular movie house (Eglin Theatre) occupied this commercial vernacular building for several years in the 1940's and 1950's. In 1949, actor Gregory Peck and other stars were in town for the nationwide premiering of the movie "Twelve O'Clock High" at both the Fox and Eglin Theatres on Main Street in downtown Crestview. The movie was made at nearby Eglin AFB, Duke Field (an auxiliary field located immediately south of Crestview), and some scenes were even shot within the City of Crestview. After the theatre went out of business in the 1950s, an adjoining department store expanded and acquired use of this building to provide additional goods and services to area residents. Occupancy of the building between 1932 and 1943 is unknown.
9.) 296-298 North Main Street (construction date was 1935 - see photo #10 for more specific style details)
This combination single and two-story level building is a commercial vernacular structure. The principal occupant, Harris Department Store, was considered an "upscale" dry goods establishment and was a favorite place to shop for many area residents. The quality of available merchandise was unsurpassed for this area during the time period of 1930s-1950s. The 5 and 10-cent store in the same building had more moderately priced items and was a particularly favorite site for youngsters to shop. During the 1940s through 1960s, the upstairs area was used variously as apartments, the USO, draft board offices, and other professional offices. In the 1920s, a church building was at this site location.
10.) 361 North Main Street (construction date was 1935 - see photo #19 for more specific style details)
A landmark institution in the Crestview area, this commercial vernacular structure was the location for the only bank in town from the 1920s through the mid 1950s. Starting off with the name of Bank of Crestview and later changing to First Bank of Crestview (in 1969), economically beneficial financial transactions galore took place within the walls of this building for so many years of the city's early history. The original bank building was located on the northern portion of this site and a hardware store building was located on the south portion. The bank eventually acquired the hardware building and had it demolished to make way for two expansions of the bank building during the 1950s and 1960s.
11.) 382 North Main Street (construction date was 1947 - see photo #11 for more specific style details)
Housed in the only Art Moderne structure within the Crestview Historic Business District, the landmark Fox Theatre was the most popular entertainment spot in town (late 1940's and 1950's) and probably the most memorable for so many of today's older Crestview residents. Many area residents can recall fond memories from their younger days that centered around the good times spent at the Fox. The theatre was also visited frequently by post WWII servicemen from nearby Eglin Air Force Base. In 1949, actor Gregory Peck and other stars were in town for the nationwide premiering of the movie "Twelve O'Clock High" at both the Fox and Eglin Theatres on Main Street in downtown Crestview. The movie was made at nearby Eglin AFB, Duke Field (an auxiliary field located immediately south of Crestview), and some scenes were even shot within the City of Crestview.
12.) 542-544 North Main Street (construction date was 1930 - see photo #20 for more specific style details)
There is limited occupancy history during the 1930's for this commercial vernacular building. An abstract company and a Western Auto retail store occupied the building during the 1940s and 1950s with insurance offices on the upper level. The building has had the title of Professional Arts Building since its construction in 1930 but information on how it acquired that name is unavailable.
13.) 114 East Cedar Avenue (construction date was 1950 - see photo #12 for more specific style details)
This was the site of a lodge hall building that provided a gathering place for many of Crestview's citizens as far back as the 1920's. A portion of the original site building was used by a casket-manufacturing firm from the 1920's until sometime in the 1940's. A new two-story Neo-Classical style Masonic Lodge building was constructed on the site in 1950 and continued to provide space for community events and some town gatherings until the early 1990's. An engineering firm has been the occupant of the building since the late 1990s.
A limited number of other various buildings and streetscape scenes are featured among the submitted photos (specifically, #2, #4, #6, #9, #21, #22, and #23). The last photo (#23) shows an early 2005 time frame scene of the immediate downtown Crestview area. Great progress is quite noticeable when compared to the same scene from the late 1940s featured in photo #1.
ALTERATIONS
The majority of the buildings in the historic district have undergone alterations over the years. City building records would indicate these alterations included changes to both the exterior and interior of the structures. With few exceptions, most of the original buildings have been preserved and structurally improved through various efforts that included façade changes, windows, doors, and awnings replacement, and roof repairs. Despite these changes, most of the contributing buildings are in reasonably good condition. The original character, massing, and setbacks of most buildings have been maintained, and the historic district area retains its historic character regarding location, design, setting, feeling, and association.
NON-CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS DESCRIPTION
The non-contributing buildings include those built after 1955 and others, built 1955 or prior, that no longer retain their historic architectural integrity. Eighteen (18) buildings are classified as non-contributing property resources. Of these, ten (10) were constructed during the 1918-1955 time period. The remaining eight (8) buildings were erected after 1955.
Of particular interest among the non-contributing buildings and worthy of some minimal comment is the structure at 189-197 North Main Street (construction date was 1926 - see photos #8 and #22 for more specific style details). This two-story commercial vernacular structure is one of the most recognized landmarks in Crestview history. Constructed in the early 20th century time period, the building's occupants over the early years (1920s-1950s) made substantial contributions to the economic growth of the city. The Lamar Hotel (later the Hilton Hotel) was situated conveniently between the county courthouse (three blocks to the north) and the train station (one block to the south) and was always a hub of activity. Servicemen from nearby Eglin AFB would often get-a-way from their duties at the base and come to spend R & R weekends at the hotel during the 1940s. A variety of goods and services were provided by other occupants on the lower level of the building. Because of significant façade changes, it is now considered a non-contributing building.
CONTRIBUTING SITES AND STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS
There is only one (1) contributing site (and no objects or structures) within the Crestview Historic Business District. A very small (unnamed) passive park located at the northwest corner boundary area of the district is owned and maintained by the City of Crestview. It lies between North Main Street and North Wilson Street at the far northern end of the district. The park provides a mostly shaded area for quiet relaxing moments by infrequent visitors. Vehicular street parking for access to the area is provided on the east and west sides of the park. Aside from a bench and curbside pole lights, there are no other structures at the site (see photo #13).
NON-CONTRIBUTING SITES AND STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS
There are no non-contributing sites/structures/objects within the Crestview Historic Business District.
CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS RESOURCE DETAILED OCCUPANCY HISTORY LISTING
The appendix pages labeled as Section 7B reflect additional information on the individual contributing buildings within the historic business district. Aside from basic information regarding street address, site file number, construction style, built date, and current use/business name, there are brief comments regarding the building's historical significance along with information indicating the specific occupancy history of each building. At least one black and white picture of each building is attached at the back of the appendix pages listing.
NON-CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS RESOURCE DETAILED OCCUPANCY HISTORY LISTING
The appendix pages labeled as Section 7C reflect additional information on the individual non-contributing buildings within the historic business district. Aside from basic information regarding street address, site file number, construction style, built date, and current use/business name, there are brief comments regarding the building's historical significance along with information indicating the specific occupancy history of each building. At least one black and white picture of each building is attached at the back of the appendix pages listing.
RESOURCE LIST - CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS
STREET ADDRESS SITE FILE # STYLE C/NC BUILT BUSINESS NAME/USE TODAY
114 E. Cedar ok1971 Neoclassical Revival C 1950 Southern Engineering
176-178 E. Industrial ok2004 Commercial Vernacular C 1950 Shepherds Church
197 W. James Lee n/a Masonry Vernacular C 1955 Commercial/Vacant
102-104 N. Main ok2005 Commercial Vernacular C 1925 Flynn Chiropractic/Spa
106-110 N. Main ok2006 Commercial Vernacular C 1925 Lisa's Nail Spa/Vacant
107 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular C 1955 Coney Island Eatery
109 N. Main ok2007 Commercial Vernacular C 1946 Old Coney Island/Vacant
112-114 N. Main ok2009 Commercial Vernacular C 1940 BRB Gun & Pawn
190 N. Main ok2011 Commercial Vernacular C 1940 Mack Brooks Barber
192-194 N. Main ok2012 Commercial Vernacular C 1918 Coast Books/Annointed Church
196 N. Main ok2013 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Rentz's Kettle
198 N. Main ok2014 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Window Fashions
205-207 N. Main ok2017 Commercial Vernacular C 1925 Batson Optical/Vacant
209 N. Main ok2018 Commercial Vernacular C 1920 Batson Appliance
211-215 N. Main ok2019 Commercial Vernacular C 1920 Ron's Appliance & Antique
224 N. Main ok2020 Commercial Vernacular C 1949 Commercial/Vacant
265 N. Main ok2021 Commercial Vernacular C 1950 Katherine's Dance Studio
267 N. Main ok2022 Commercial Vernacular C 1935 Kitchen and Bath Store
269 N. Main ok2023 Commercial Vernacular C 1932 Mint Julep Store
284 N. Main ok2024 Commercial Vernacular C 1935 Hart's Printing
286 N. Main ok2025 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Tropical Palm Restaurant
290 N. Main ok2026 Commercial Vernacular C 1950 Classic Menswear
296-298 N. Main ok2027 Commercial Vernacular C 1935 Harris 5&10/Vacant
297 N. Main ok2028 Commercial Vernacular C 1947 Crestview Plumb/Hardware
301 N. Main ok2029 Commercial Vernacular C 1920 Crestview News-Bulletin
307 N. Main ok2030 Commercial Vernacular C 1920 Peaden Appliance/Vacant
309-311 N. Main ok2031 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Father Time/Merle Norman
321-335 N. Main ok2033 Commercial Vernacular C 1920 Banker Life/Church/Vacant
337 N. Main ok2034 Commercial Vernacular C 1924 Granny's Attic
361 N. Main ok2035 Commercial Vernacular C 1935 Bank of Crestview/Vacant
380 N. Main ok2036 Commercial Vernacular C 1947 Leon's Barbershop
382 N. Main ok2037 Art Moderne C 1947 Old Fox Theater/Vacant
386 N. Main ok2038 Commercial Vernacular C 1947 Heavenly Stitches
388 N. Main ok2039 Commercial Vernacular C 1949 Pappy T's Antiques
432-440 N. Main ok2040 Commercial Vernacular C 1925 Dr.Carroll/Artco/Vacant
450-452 N. Main ok2041 Commercial Vernacular C 1926 Bakery/O'Malley Reporting
468-470 N. Main ok2043 Commercial Vernacular C 1926 PMI/Crestview Realtors
504-520 N. Main ok2045 Commercial Vernacular C 1936 Coast Transcriptions/Vacant
RESOURCE LIST - CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS (continued)
STREET ADDRESS SITE FILE # STYLE C/NC BUILT BUSINESS NAME/USE TODAY
542-544 N. Main ok2047 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Harvest Vineyard Church
594 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular C 1954 Badcock Furniture
130 W. Oakdale ok2160 Commercial Vernacular C 1953 Christ Family Church
193 W. Oakdale ok2061 Commercial Vernacular C 1950 Christ Jesus Church
195-197 W. Oakdale ok2162 Commercial Vernacular C 1952 Brianco Pools
196 W. Pine ok2166 Commercial Vernacular C 1936 Harvest Vineyard Annex
197 W. Pine ok2167 Commercial Vernacular C 1930 Vacant
101 N. Wilson ok2180 Masonry Vernacular C 1951 Crestview Investment
172 E. Woodruff ok2191 Commercial Vernacular C 1929 Uptown Cafe
197 E. Woodruff ok2192 Commercial Vernacular C 1946 Wingard Apartments
120 W. Woodruff ok2193 Commercial Vernacular C 1935 Gulf Atlantic Publishing
146 W. Woodruff ok2194 Frame Vernacular C 1920 Alatex Office/Residence
153 W. Woodruff ok2195 Commercial Vernacular C 1937 Alatex Building/Vacant
158 W. Woodruff ok2196 Commercial Vernacular C 1946 Quick Print
RESOURCE LIST - NON-CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS
STREET ADDRESS SITE FILE # STYLE C/NC BUILT BUSINESS NAME/USE TODAY
111-113 N. Main ok2008 Commercial Vernacular NC 1938 Dent & Bent Grocery
188 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1998 Accu Title
189-197 N. Main ok2010 Commercial Vernacular NC 1926 American Surplus/Desi's
201 N. Main ok2015 Commercial Vernacular NC 1930 Compassion Church
204 N. Main ok2016 Commercial Vernacular NC 1940 City Medical Warehouse
317 N. Main ok3032 Commercial Vernacular NC 1923 Scott Accounting Office
326 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1997 Hide a Way Pizza
398 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1956 Edward Jones Investment
402 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1960 Okaloosa Title
422 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1985 Powell Law Office
428 N. Main n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1970 Okaloosa Title Annex
462 N. Main ok2042 Commercial Vernacular NC 1926 Better Bail Bonds
502 N. Main ok2044 Commercial Vernacular NC 1948 Professional Hearing
550 N. Main ok2046 Commercial Vernacular NC 1930 ABC Mortgage
127 W. Pine ok2015 Commercial Vernacular NC 1926 Elks Lodge
121 N. Wilson n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 1999 CSX Railroad Office
148 E. Woodruff ok2190 Masonry Vernacular NC 1950 Old Gulf Power/Vacant
168 W. Woodruff n/a Commercial Vernacular NC 2000 Holloway Insurance
RESOURCE LIST - CONTRIBUTING SITES AND STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS
STREET ADDRESS TYPE/NAME BUILT DESCRIPTION/USE TODAY
600 Block of North Main Street City Park (site) 1913 Small unnamed passive
(no specific street address #) park area site
(no specific site file #)
(see photo #13)
(no other contributing sites or structures or objects)
RESOURCE LIST - NON-CONTRIBUTING SITES AND STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS
STREET ADDRESS TYPE/NAME BUILT DESCRIPTION/USE TODAY
None
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