The Kentucky Hotel stood from at least 1885
to 1893 at modern day address of 311 West Magnolia. According to tax records,
the owner before 1890 was Mrs Mary T Hansbrough, widow of Thomas Hansbrough.
Other heirs were Thomas A & Libbie Hansbrough, B C & Mary B Lanier, Geo
H & Lucy M Watts. The Hansbroughs were from Shelby County, Kentucky. They
sold the property in January 1894 to Robert D. Harrison for the residence of his
family. According to one descendant, the house burned down (not uncommon).
Maps show this happened between 1911 and 1918.
Robert Daniel Harrison of Marion County, was
born May 2, 1842 in South Carolina, died August 1, 1916 and was buried Lone Oak
Cemetery, Leesburg. He married October 12, 1870, Marion County, Florida to Kate
Pearson, born November 1845 in Florida and died before 1910, Cotton Plant,
Marion County, Florida. Robert served as Captain and Full Major, Company K, 2nd
Cavalry Regiment Florida; 1862 lived Amelia Island, Florida. (no
pension)
J. Y. Clark acquired Lots 22, 23, 24 South of
Main St, and platted Clark’s Subdivision dated 1 Jun 1922. Since then occupants
at 311 West Magnolia were Brez-Inn which opened in 1940 and closed about 1956,
Bache & Company there in 1957, then Manco insurance, and most lately,
Jewelry Works.
1955: Brez-Inn - 311 West Magnolia 1957: Bache & Co - 311 West Magnolia Brez-Inn postcard dated 1940
“The new Brez-In cordially invites you for refreshments, barbecue sandwiches. Right in the center of things, Leesburg, Florida, phone 303 White. Leon Mock, Bill Girtman, Bobby Franklin invite you to drive in, stop in, eat in at the Brez-Inn” see Commercial, Jun 1940 1924 or 1939: 311 West Magnolia not
listed.
Property Location: 311 WEST MAGNOLIA ST,
LEESBURG FL 34748
Legal Description: LEESBURG, CLARK'S SUB E 15 FT OF LOT 7, LOTS 8, 9, 10, --LESS N 10 FT--10 FT STRIP LYING S OF SAID LOTS, BLK 1 PB 4| PG 35 | ORB 1318 PG 690 | |