A State Heritage Site and a Contributing Building to a National Register of Historic Places Historic District, it should not be demolished.
by Friends of the Thelma Boltin Center
The Servicemen’s Center was built in 1943 during World War II. It is the only building in the State of Florida specifically built for WWII soldiers to socialize and relax. Soldiers hitchhiked from Camp Blanding, Jacksonville, Orlando, and other cities to arrive in Gainesville, pop. 14,000.
In July of 1943 11,000 men were reported as having used the Center. Non-profits and churches prepared home cooked meals for the men, local groups provided entertainment, and soldiers spent the night in homes, or other facilities. WRUF broadcasts of dances could be heard in north Florida and Georgia.
The Thelma Boltin Recreation Center is one of a few buildings in the City named after a woman. Thelma Boltin never married or had children. This building is her legacy. She was the Program Director and hostess for the events at the Serviceman’s Center. When the War ended she became the Recreation Director for the City of Gainesville at this site.
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