Opened on 21 February 1929, the Hotel Ware contained 110 rooms, all with private baths, which was a luxury at the time. When I was a boy, my father, who worked for CSX [Seaboard Coast Line in those days, and Atlantic Coast Line before that], stayed at this hotel, along with the many other railroad men who worked out of Waycross. I well remember the poor condition of the rooms and the dangerous old elevator, but I also fondly recall the coffee shop with its heavy china and short order cooks. There was a true sense of community in the place, and when I photographed the Ware a little over a year ago, I was so worried that it was bound for the wrecking ball. I am glad that Waycross has chosen to save this iconic structure, which will soon become a residential apartment building.

Downtown Waycross Historic District, National Register of Historic Places