During the recovery from the Great Depression, pawn shops played a crucial role in Tampa's economic landscape. They provided much-needed cash injections by lending money, offering credit, and purchasing consumer possessions. However, their operations were not without controversy, with accusations of usurious interest rates, low payouts to those in need, and involvement in the trade of stolen goods. Despite this, pawnbrokers have been a part of Tampa's fabric since the late 1800s.

The Clarke Sub-Division, bounded by Franklin, E Royal, Florida Ave., and E. Harrison, was also plotted in the late 1800s in what was then called “North Tampa.” Today, it’s the east side of N. Franklin St, 1100 block.

In 1938, National Loan Co., proudly proclaiming itself as “Tampa’s Largest Pawnbrokers”, set up shop at 1101 N Franklin St. Their location was the two-story Clarke Building, a structure that had stood since the turn of the century. The business took over the former space of the New York Department Store, which was situated on the corner. Advertisements boasted that they would buy, sell, or trade anything. The photo also captures other businesses on the block, including the West Coast Army Store and Lastinger-Gray Furniture at 1111 Franklin St.

As downtown expanded, businesses moved to North Franklin, where rent was less expensive and opportunities flourished. Tampa icons like Burts Hardware, The Bank of Commerce, and J.R. Mickler Cash Grocers opened there. Small restaurants and hotels were also part of the mix.  Further north on the street, the Rialto Theater sat in the middle of what was nicknamed the Yellow Brick Row, where most buildings' exteriors featured blonde bricks.

By the 1970s, businesses were moving out of downtown, and this part of Franklin St had become run down. It was known as Skid Row, where drugs and homelessness were rampant. Old hotels with names like The Gary and Caramar were interspersed between furniture stores and swap shops and were used by prostitutes to turn tricks. The two main bars were the Club Hi-Hat and the Saratoga, which were home to some of Tampa’s first public female impersonators. It is also the area where Christian crusader Billy Graham got his start, preaching on street corners. In 1975, Mayor Bill Poe made the removal of the area central to his campaign. The lot where National Loan Co. once stood is now a parking lot.  Franklin St was narrowed as part of the extension of the Franklin St. pedestrian mall.

© 2024. Chip Weiner. oldtampaphotos.com