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- I.T. Parker House, 1920’s
I.T. Parker House, 1920’s
150 SW 18 Avenue
The I.T. Parker residence appears to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the settlement of the area, community planning and development, and for its vernacular architectural style.
The building possesses significance for its association to the I.T. Parker family, pioneers in the early development of the City of Dania Beach. I.T. Parker, along with his brother and mother, was among the first to settle and conduct business in Dania Beach. His many prosperous financial endeavors, namely banking, gave the city it first economic and commercial boost and helped to put Dania Beach on the map by the 1920’s.
The structure also possesses significance for its rare, vernacular style and craftsmanship. While the building’s style was common during South Florida’s early residential construction, few such examples remain in Dania Beach or Broward County. The integrity of the structure’s vernacular style, craftsmanship, and building materials support the retention of the structure and highlights the necessity to promote its preservation.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
I.T. Parker moved to Dania Beach in 1912 after relocating from his home in Louisville, Georgia. Upon settling in Dania Beach, Parker worked as a cashier at the Bank of Dania in order to help his brother, who had joined as a partner to establish the city’s first financial institution. Many of the city’s most established pioneers, including A.C. Frost, Parker’s brother, William S. Parker, and Art J. Ryan, Sr., teamed up to establish the city’s first bank with the aid of the Georgia’s Whitham Banking Chain. After financial troubles forced the first bank to close, the Parker brothers, along with their mother, Mrs. W.S. Parker, started the Dania Bank with the aid of outside financial interests. In 1926, I.T. Parker served on the City Commission prior to the city’s incorporation with the neighboring town of Hollywood. Throughout the years, I.T. Parker continued his civic and financial support working as both a successful banking entrepreneur and civic leader. In fact, numerous local business ventures were undertaken in large part due to I.T. Parker’s financial generosity with loans and sound business advice; most notably the community’s agricultural endeavors. The Parker brothers continued to run the Dania Bank until it was sold to the Robinson Interests in 1953. The parker family’s pioneering legacy and extensive contributions to the development of the community supports their significance to the city’s history.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Originally located along Federal Highway in downtown Dania Beach, the two-story wood framed dwelling was relocated along the southwest boundary of Dania Beach, surrounded by a largely commercial region. In 2002 construction on the Hilton Gardens Inn began. Funds were raised by the Dania Beach Improvement Committee in the hopes of relocating the dwelling again, but in the City Commission minutes of May 14, 2002 it was explained that the cost to relocate the home exceeded $200,000. The structure was soon after destroyed.
The rectangular, vernacular style building measured 3 bays by 2 bays and sits atop concrete piers. The exterior is finished with drop siding and wood shingles over a wood framed structural system. The hipped roof is protected by composition shingles. Fenestration consists of 1/1 double hung sash windows that are currently covered by aluminum awnings. A shed roof entrance provides access at the back of the house, located on the northwest corner. The dwelling has a one-story screened porch that spans the entire first floor of the front façade. Typical of the period and function, the structure’s exterior lacks any detailed ornamentation. A natural canopy of native foliage surrounds the structure and softens the boundary between commercial Dania Beach and the residential property.
The interior of the structure retained much of its original craftsmanship and design. Details such as the structure’s floor plan, original wood floors and many of the original lighting and bathroom fixtures remain. Overall the structure is in good condition and has retained much of its integrity of design and craftsmanship.
* This property has not been designated as historic by the City of Dania Beach.
The I.T. Parker residence appears to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the settlement of the area, community planning and development, and for its vernacular architectural style.
The building possesses significance for its association to the I.T. Parker family, pioneers in the early development of the City of Dania Beach. I.T. Parker, along with his brother and mother, was among the first to settle and conduct business in Dania Beach. His many prosperous financial endeavors, namely banking, gave the city it first economic and commercial boost and helped to put Dania Beach on the map by the 1920’s.
The structure also possesses significance for its rare, vernacular style and craftsmanship. While the building’s style was common during South Florida’s early residential construction, few such examples remain in Dania Beach or Broward County. The integrity of the structure’s vernacular style, craftsmanship, and building materials support the retention of the structure and highlights the necessity to promote its preservation.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
I.T. Parker moved to Dania Beach in 1912 after relocating from his home in Louisville, Georgia. Upon settling in Dania Beach, Parker worked as a cashier at the Bank of Dania in order to help his brother, who had joined as a partner to establish the city’s first financial institution. Many of the city’s most established pioneers, including A.C. Frost, Parker’s brother, William S. Parker, and Art J. Ryan, Sr., teamed up to establish the city’s first bank with the aid of ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Originally located along Federal Highway in downtown Dania Beach, the two-story wood framed dwelling was relocated along the southwest boundary of Dania Beach, surrounded by a largely commercial region. In 2002 construction on the Hilton Gardens Inn began. Funds were raised by the Dania Beach Improvement Committee in the hopes of relocating the dwelling again, but in the City Commission minutes of May 14, The rectangular, vernacular style building measured 3 bays by 2 bays and sits atop concrete piers. The exterior is finished with drop siding and wood shingles over a wood framed structural system. The hipped roof is protected by composition shingles. Fenestration consists of 1/1 double hung sash windows that are currently covered by aluminum awnings. A shed roof entrance provides access at the back of the house, located on the northwest corner. The dwelling has a one-story screened porch that spans the entire first floor of the front façade. Typical of the period and function, the structure’s exterior lacks any detailed ornamentation. A natural canopy of native foliage surrounds the structure and softens the boundary between commercial Dania Beach and the residential property.
The interior of the structure retained much of its original craftsmanship and design. Details such as the structure’s floor plan, original wood floors and many of the original lighting and bathroom fixtures remain. Overall the structure is in good condition and has retained much of its integrity of design and craftsmanship.
* This property has not been designated as historic by the City of Dania Beach.