A simple wood building which began life as a PX on a WWII military base is now telling a story of struggle, opportunity seized, failure, rebirth and community strength as a center piece for an ambitious history based project in Gainesville, Florida.

  Library of Florida History Archivist Holly Baker recounts the adventures of the PX building on Florida Frontiers Radio (https://myfloridahistory.org/frontiers/radio/program/422) and you can see its latest incarnation at the website of the Cotton Club museum: (https://www.cottonclubmuseum.com/).

  More images related to the building and the people who have contributed to its saga are found in an excellent article by North Carolina writer Joanna Grey Talbot at: https://floridarevealed.tumblr.com/post/130701953614/sarah-mcknight.

  Ms. Talbot touches on another building in Gainesville that played a role in the Cotton Club’s history; the Dunbar Hotel, which catered to the African American performers who made the rounds on the Chitlin’ Circuit (https://floridarevealed.tumblr.com/post/612840931158278144/dunbar-hotel).

  It appears no researchers have as yet come up with a photo of the hotel, or more precisely, a picture of the building when it was serving as a hotel. That would be a nice addition to the Library of Florida History collection.