F. W. Woolworth Building (Lexington, Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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F. W. Woolworth Building
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Former site of the building.
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 106 Main St., Lexington, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1946 |
| Architect | Frederick W. Garber |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000924 |
| Added to NRHP | 2002-09-06 |
The F. W. Woolworth Building in Lexington, Kentucky, was once a very popular store. It was a big department store where people could buy many different things. The store was part of the F. W. Woolworth Company, a famous chain of stores across the country.
This building opened in 1946 and served customers until 1990. A well-known architect named Frederick W. Garber designed it.
The Woolworth store became famous for another reason too. In the 1960s, it was a place where people protested during the Civil Rights Movement. At that time, some places had rules that treated people unfairly based on their skin color. This was called segregation. People wanted everyone to be treated equally, so they held peaceful protests at places like Woolworth's to ask for fair treatment for all.
After the store closed in 1990, the city government wanted to use the space for new businesses. However, the building was torn down in 2004. It became a parking lot for a while. Today, the area is part of a new development called City Center. This new area includes a hotel, restaurants, and other shops.
The Woolworth Store's History
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a well-known chain of "five-and-dime" stores. These stores sold many items at low prices. The Lexington store was a busy spot for shopping for decades.
A Place for Change
During the 1960s, the United States saw many changes. The Civil Rights Movement worked to end unfair rules and practices. Many stores, including some Woolworth's, had rules that kept people of different races separate. For example, some lunch counters would only serve white customers.
People who believed in equal rights organized "sit-ins" at these places. They would sit at the counters and refuse to leave until everyone was served. These peaceful protests helped bring attention to the unfairness and led to big changes in laws. The Woolworth store in Lexington was one of the many places where these important protests happened.
What Happened to the Building?
After the Woolworth store closed its doors in 1990, the building stood empty for some years. City leaders thought about turning it into a place where new businesses could start and grow. This is sometimes called a "business incubator."
However, in 2004, the building was taken down. For a while, the spot was just a parking lot. Now, it's part of a modern area called City Center, showing how city spaces can change over time.
See also
- Greensboro sit-ins
- Laurel Homes, also by architect Frederick W. Garber
- Historic Woolworth's in Wilmington, Delaware
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, Kentucky
