Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association

Constructed in 1925, the Ward Rooming House provided a welcoming refuge for both out-of-town Blacks and Native Americans who faced discrimination in finding accommodations in Downtown Miami during the early 20th Century. Linked to Shaddrack Ward, a Key West transplant to Miami in 1894, the building reflects a blend of Conch and Mediterranean Revival architectural influences. With its Conch-style porches and Mediterranean Revival ornamental elements, the Ward Rooming House served as a prominent residence for Bahamian immigrants and holds historical significance as part of Overtown’s early Black community.