Historic Medical Arts Building

Historic Medical Arts Building

409 North Court Street

Designed by Lloyd Maffett, an architect responsible for the design of many of Florence's school buildings, and constructed by L.E. Tate, the Medical Arts Building was one of Florence's most celebrated buildings when it opened in May 1927. It was the first building in Florence to have a steel structure, and was built in the Spanish Revival-style. In the 1920s, Spanish Revival was associated with wealth and progress--many movie stars' Hollywood homes were built in this style. In Florence, homes on nearby Spanish Oak Court were designed in this style for wealthy businessmen, but the Medical Arts Building is unique as a representative example of this style on a commercial building.

The idea for the building was promoted by Dr. E.T. Newsom. Originally, a woman's barber shop, beauty parlor, and a laboratory occupied the first floor. The second and third floors each had seven office suites. The building is still used as an office building and stands as downtown Florence's only commercial Spanish Revival building.