The Gardner House

209 W. Palm Avenue

The Gardner house was built in 1924 for Isaac Gardner, Sr., and has been occupied continually by the Gardner family.   The two-story wood framed house was designed and built for the Gardners by R. B. Gambier.   A detached wood framed two-story garage/apartment that is located on the northeast corner of the property. The main house, sunroom and carport of this Colonial Revival style residence all have hipped roofs of composition shingles and largely overhanging boxed eaves. The tight fenestration pattern and hipped roof are consistent with the style.

Isaac Gardner came to Tampa in 1905 at age 25. He was a successful businessman owning several properties in the Central Avenue Business District, including the Palace Drug, the Royal Palm Lounge and the Georgette Hotel. Along with a group of other local businessmen, Mr. Gardner was one of the founders of the Central Industrial Insurance Company, later called Central Life Insurance, which had significant impact within the Black community. By 1935, the company was active in communities throughout the state, providing insurance services that were not previously available.

Robert Gardner – We Bid Farewell to a Tampa Heights Resident
Click here for his story.

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