This building became a car dealership in 1936 when Roy N. Meisinger remodeled a service station at the corner of Florida Avenue and Harrison Street. In 1939, it became the Phillip’s -Elke’s Pontiac Co. Inc., and in 1941, Eugene R. Elkes purchased the entire stock of the company and renamed it Elkes Pontiac. The dealership was well positioned a block from what was then known as auto-row on North Franklin Street, home to everything auto, including parts, repair, and other dealerships.

Like many manufacturers, 1940s Pontiacs were hulking masses of metal and built a reputation for reliability. They also helped with the war effort, building and operating two ordinance plants building cannons.

Elkes was in business until 1958 when it was sold to Herbert R. Herrmann, who changed the name to Pace Pontiac. In 1966, it did a brief stint as Jim Harrell Pontiac. The building was demolished in 1969, but caution was taken in the tear-down so as not to damage the property of the Goody-Goody restaurant next door. The 200-resident senior living facility Methodist Place Apartments was built on the property in 1971 for $3.2 million, with controversial funding from the Federal Housing Authority. In 2012, after renovation, it was renamed Vista 400.

© Chip Weiner. Old Tampa Photos