Grand Central Ave. once ran West from the Hillsborough River to Howard Avenue, a section of which is now West Kennedy Boulevard. In May 1926, when this photo was taken, Tampa was still on the upswing, but the land bust was right around the corner. There are two prominent real estate offices in this photo. On the left is Syndicate Realty Corp. at 402 Grand Central, and on the right is Bowden Realty Company at 407 Grand Central. Both offices are permanently closed and for rent. The street was littered with Realty companies, including Partrick-Sweet, Stillwell Realty, Edwards-Bledsoe, and J.E. Burk Realty.  The First Church of Christ Scientist is seen on the left. The right side of this photo is the back of the Lafayette Arcade and Park Theater. The arcade was a popular office and shopping complex modeled after the Flatiron building in New York City. The Hensley-Stovall Arcade is also on the left.

Today, a small section of Grand Central still exists. The Realty businesses are long gone; the Hensley -Stovall Arcade has been meticulously rehabilitated and is now called The Oxford Exchange. The Lafayette Arcade now houses several eateries, including Mise en Place, Fly Bar, and 21+ Ice Cream.  The Christian Science Church still figures prominently on the east side.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved