by Melanie Barr
The buildings in the 100 block of N. Main Street are threatened with demolition even though they are significant in terms of age, history and architecture.
The two former houses were built in 1879. One was later used by the Wine and Cheese Gallery for 43 years, and the other was a law office for over 100 years. Destroying them is an odd way to celebrate Alachua County’s 200th anniversary this year.
The people who occupied the historic houses are significant. James B. Brown, who purchased a lot in 1873, was one of only two people who was the Mayor of Gainesville three times. He was Mayor in 1871, 1885 and 1888, and maneuvered the City through the aftermath of the fire that destroyed much of downtown. The population also doubled in the ten years from 1880 to 1890.
Brown’s daughter married Barton Thrasher who was the first to use the house at 103 N. Main for his home and law office. After his death in 1882, his son Barton Thrasher Jr. took over the law practice in the house. In 1920 Barton Thrasher Jr. was appointed Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court.
James Douglas named his son after his close friend, Barton Thrasher. Barton Douglas inherited the house and used the building for his home and law office. This building is likely the only one in Alachua County continually in use as a law office for over 100 years.
In terms of architecture, the houses are Vernacular Victorians. There are few houses from the 1800s still in existence in Gainesville in the style of these houses. Additionally, the Modern Shoe Repair, a unique two-story stucco addition to the Barton Douglas law office, is approximately 100 years old this year.
The owner of all these properties is the Holy Trinity Episcopal church, which cherishes its own history. When the sanctuary burned down in 1991, they built a near replica of the original building. They recently installed a State Historic Marker in the Pleasant Street neighborhood honoring the St. Augustine Mission Church and School that they established in 1894 for persons of color.
Yet, they are firm in their desire to clear all the buildings off the lot. The vacant lot will become a parking lot and park.
The church does plan to raise money to place buildings on the site, but this is years away. In the meantime they have done no, or little, maintenance on the buildings, which are now in bad shape.
The terms preservationists use for this is “demolition by neglect.” However, anything can be restored if there is money and a willing preservationist.
To learn more about the history of this block, and why downtown revitalization is important, please attend a lecture that will be illustrated with a Power Point presentation at the Matheson Museum on Wednesday, April 16 at 7pm.