Lenape Tavern, introducing Ray Charles
Posted by: 
bobandrobin
N 30° 19.994 W 081° 39.901
17R E 436075 N 3355898
"Harlem of the South" Ashley Street Jacksonville,Florida
Waymark Code: WM9ET1
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/10/2010
Views: 9
If these old walls could talk you'd do well to pull up a chair and listen. The story begins in the 1920's when this building was transformed from Genovar's Hall, a grocery, store to the Wynn Hotel/Lenape Tavern.
"When in town, Louis Armstrong preferred to stay at the Wynn, because it was "on the street" where the action was." Downstairs the Lenape was as hot as a firecracker. The first documented on stage performance of "The Blues" was across Jefferson street at the Strand Theater, Across Ashley Street was the Hotel de Dreme, Cora Taylor's famous bordello. Ray Charles (R.C. Robinson at the time) who lived nearby would wait outside the Lenape for a chance to play the piano.
This place was smoking!
Waymark Type: Historic "Juke Joint"
Website: [Web Link]
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