Ocala and Marion County Commercial Bazaar and Investment Association

by Alonzo Hardy

Ocala Commercial and Bazar Company –

Dr. Thos. P. Lloyd, Frank P. Gadson and James W. Alexander became the first known to start an investment company in April 1891.

Notice and articles of incorporation of the Ocala and Marion County Commercial Bazaar and Investment Association, filed August 21, 1891

The Ocala Commercial and the Bazar Company, organized and managed by colored men exclusively, with a paid-up capital of $10,000, has just begun business in a fine brick building erected by Alfred Davis, a colored man. Frank P. Goodson [Gadson], city tax collector and treasurer, is business manager.

Sources: News clippings courtesy of The Weekly Floridian, July 25, 1891; The Savannah Morning News, July 22, 1891.

Notes for: Alfred Davis. He served as a councilman in Ocala, Florida from 1874 to 1877, and 1879 to 1883.

Ocala Mercantile and Land Investment Company –

Rev. C. N. Hampton, Rev. L. J. Little, H. W. Chandler and Edward Martin became the second known to start an investment company in August 1891.

West Ocala History

Metropolitan Realty and Investment Company was organized in Ocala, Florida, in 1891, and was the first African American corporation to be granted a charter by the State of Florida. Correction: Based on the provided search results, the first company to be incorporated in Florida was Ocala Commercial and Bazar Company in 1891. Dr. Thomas Playfair Lloyd, Ocala’s first Black doctor, served as the company’s first president until his death in 1896.

In 1891, West Ocala residents celebrated a historic event when the Metropolitan Realty and Investment Company was organized by Mr. Gadsden with several partners. It was the first African American corporation to be granted a charter by the State of Florida. Correction: The charter of the corporation was obtained on April 11, 1910. The original officers were: President and general manager, Georgie Giles; vice president, J.D. McDuffy; secretary, G.A. Sheehy; treasurer, F.P. Gadson; directors, R.S. Mitchell, Jos. L. Wiley, C.H. Stewart, J.D. McDuffy, George Giles, F.P. Gadson and G.A. Sheehy.

The Metropolitan Realty and Investment Company, of Ocala, Fla., has just erected a $20,000 building. The company was organized three years ago and is capitalized at $20,000.

Source: News clipping courtesy of The Crisis, June, 1913.

Notes for: George Giles: Contractor & builder.

George Giles built the Semi-Tropical exposition building in 1889. He built the “Metropolitan block” in 1913. In 1914 he built another brick block across the street, now known as the Executive Building. In 1915 Mr. Giles erected a two-story brick block with a basement, now known as the Moorhead Building.

Bank founders at the Metropolitan Bank – Ocala, 1913. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Reden Reche Williams, Frank P. Gadson, George Giles, Joseph L. Wiley, Arthur St. George Richardson, David Walter Goodwin. (Reference collection. State Archives of Florida, Image RC03171a.)

The Metropolitan Savings Bank opened on September 9, 1913 and closed their doors on September 27, 1928.

The corner two-story building was erected in 18

91 by Alfred Davis, who owned a house and lot next door to the brick building. The building was originally named the Davis Block. Later, the Davis Block was renamed the Goldman Block. The original building was demolished in 2021 and rebuilt, where it still stands. It is now the Goldman Peek Building.

1913 Postcard Metropolitan Savings Bank Building, Ocala, Florida. This rare postcard is the only known full image of the Metropolitan Bank of Ocala, founded by George Giles and others in September 1913.