Reshard said she wants to research what was on those grounds before the bakery, learn more about what people may have previously occupied the space, and try to see what can other information can be dug up about the land's history. The bakery complex has suffered neglect over the years, but Powell and others in the community are working to help restore and maintain the building and preserve the prominent historical and cultural center for the Belmont-DeVilliers community. The former Smith's Bakery bakery, which occupies the northwest corner of Belmont and DeVilliers streets just north of Five Sisters Blues Café, is now home to Truth for Youth, a nonprofit that serves underprivileged, low-income and at-risk youth. A major part of the city's African American history, Smith's Bakery closed in 1990 because it was considered dated and obsolete for modern day bakery needs. In 1924, Smith bought the Belmont Building from Reed and in the same year opened another Smith Bakery where it ultimately employed over 100 workers to produce Sunbeam English muffins and rolls.
Smith's Bakery was founded by Gordon Smith in 1899 in Mobile, Alabama, and grew into a company employing 600 staff producing baked goods throughout the entire Gulf region. Then in about 1920-1922, Joseph Reed acquired the land and built the Belmont Building in 1923. Bennett was the first to bring the smell of bread and sweets to the historic four corners of The Blocks. Reus St., an African American man named Robert Hughes Bennett in operated his business, Bennett's Bakery, on the land in 1910. "To come back and see what my granddaddy was talking about, what my grandma was talking about - it really did exist." "It's great because it gives you a legacy for the youth," Powell said. Traditional tea room in historic home: Care for a spot of tea? Bagdad getting a traditional tea room in historic Forcade House.
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently named the old Smith Bakery in Belmont-DeVilliers to its 11 to Save, a list of the most threatened historic places in the state. He was ecstatic that there would be another landmark to show the history of the Belmont-DeVilliers community known as "The Blocks." Belmont-DeVilliers is one of two locations in Florida that are designated as stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail. John Powell, head of the organization, said he was in disbelief when he heard the news of Smith's Bakery making the list. The former bakery, which occupies the northwest corner of Belmont and DeVilliers streets just north of Five Sisters Blues Café, is now home to Truth for Youth, a nonprofit focused on serving underprivileged, low-income and at-risk youth through events like toy distributions, benefit concerts, back-to-school drives and more. The sites on the list are nominated by the public, and the list is designed to increase public awareness of the need to save historic Florida landmarks, highlight Florida's unique history, and inspire and empower local preservationists and community groups to protect their history. Last week, Smith's Bakery was listed as part of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's 2022 Florida's 11 to Save, a list of the most threatened historic places in the state. It's like an iceberg, so you're just seeing the tip of it."Ī group of local and state preservationists are working ensure the history of Smith's Bakery isn't lost to time. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently named the building to Florida's 11 to Save, a list of the most threatened historic places in the state. John Powell gives a tour of the old Smith Bakery in Belmont-DeVilliers on Thursday.
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