The Legacy of Green Book Black-Owned Hotels that Made Travel Possible
During the Jim Crow era, travel for African Americans wasn’t simply about reaching a destination—it required strategy, awareness, and access to safe places to stay. Black-owned hotels, inns, and boarding houses formed a vital, often invisible network that made travel possible. Many of these hotels and lodging properties were documented in The Negro Motorist Green Book, yet countless others were never formally recorded.
Today, one of the greatest challenges in preserving this history is how much of it remains fragmented or lost. Unlike many mainstream establishments, Black-owned hospitality businesses were rarely preserved in travel archives, postcards, or national registries. What remains is only a partial record of a once-thriving ecosystem—making every verified property and documented story critically important.
This is a growing, research-backed collection. We are actively expanding and verifying additional black-owned hotels in the Green Book-era as part of our ongoing commitment to preserving Black hospitality history.
Historic Black-Owned Hotels from the Green Book Era
A.G. Gaston Motel – Birmingham, Alabama
A cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, the A.G. Gaston Motel was far more than a place to stay—it served as a critical hub for strategy, leadership, and resilience during one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Owned and developed by prominent Black entrepreneur Arthur George “A.G.” Gaston, the motel offered safe, first-class accommodations for African American travelers at a time when options were severely limited. During the Birmingham Campaign, it became a key meeting place and operational headquarters for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, solidifying its legacy as both a historic hotel and a symbol of progress and perseverance.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
Hotel Theresa – Harlem, New York City
Known as the “Waldorf of Harlem,” Hotel Theresa was one of the most prestigious Black-friendly hotels in the country. It hosted global figures including Malcolm X, Fidel Castro, and Muhammad Ali, cementing its role as a cultural and political hub.
Dunbar Hotel – Los Angeles, California
A cultural cornerstone of Black Los Angeles, the Dunbar Hotel stood as a beacon of elegance, community, and resilience during the era of segregation. Originally opened in 1928 as the Hotel Somerville, it was widely regarded as the finest Black-owned hotel in America. Located in the heart of Central Avenue’s vibrant jazz scene, the Dunbar hosted legendary entertainers such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, becoming a hub for music, culture, and Black excellence. By 1939, it was prominently featured in the Green Book, solidifying its role as a premier destination for African American travelers during a time of limited access and opportunity.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
Lorraine Motel, Memphis
Purchased by Walter Bailey in 1945 and renamed the Lorraine Motel, this historic property became one of the few high-quality lodging options available to Black travelers in Memphis during segregation. It later gained national significance as the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968. Today, the former motel is preserved as part of the National Civil Rights Museum, a powerful and expansive educational complex that chronicles more than five centuries of civil rights history in America.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
the Powell Hotel in Dallas (1929)
Mississippi
Riverside Hotel, Mississippi
The Riverside Hotel is a cornerstone of American music and Civil Rights history, often remembered as the place “where the Blues gave birth to Rock and Roll.” Located in Clarksdale, it stands as one of the most iconic stops along the Blues Trail. Originally built as the G.L. Madison Hospital for African Americans, the site holds deep historical significance—it was where legendary blues artist Bessie Smith passed away in 1937 following a car accident.
In 1944, the building was transformed into a hotel by Z.L. Ratliff. During the Jim Crow era, when safe accommodations for Black travelers were scarce, the Riverside Hotel became a vital refuge and cultural hub—serving as the primary lodging for touring musicians and helping to shape the sound and spirit of American music.
In 1944, the building was transformed into a hotel by Z.L. Ratliff. During the Jim Crow era, when safe accommodations for Black travelers were scarce, the Riverside Hotel became a vital refuge and cultural hub—serving as the primary lodging for touring musicians and helping to shape the sound and spirit of American music.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
Why Riverside Hotel is the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll”
The hotel earned this reputation because Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm, lived there while they rehearsed and wrote “Rocket 88” in 1951. Many historians consider this the first true rock and roll record.
Iconic Guests at the Riverside Hotel
The hotel’s guest log reads like a Hall of Fame induction list:
- Muddy Waters
- Howlin’ Wolf
- Duke Ellington
- Sam Cooke
- John Lee Hooker
Visiting the Riverside Hotel Today: Preservation, Legacy & Living History
The Riverside Hotel remains one of the most authentic historic sites in American music and Civil Rights history—largely unchanged and preserved much as it was in the 1940s. Still held within the Ratliff family for generations, the property offers a rare, immersive glimpse into the past.
Authenticity:
Unlike a polished, corporate museum, the Riverside is a true “living history” site—featuring original furnishings, narrow hallways, and shared bathrooms that reflect its mid-20th-century roots.
Family Legacy:
The hotel has remained in the Ratliff family for three generations. Following the passing of Frank “Rat” Ratliff in 2013, leadership transitioned to his daughter, Zelena “Zee” Ratliff, and granddaughter, Sonya Ratliff Gates, who continue to steward its legacy.
Closure & Recovery:
Operations were suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic, followed by significant storm damage that further impacted the property.
Preservation Efforts:
Recognized as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2021, the Riverside received a $499,500 grant from the National Park Service in 2022 to support critical restoration and preservation work.
Interpretive Center:
In October 2025, the Riverside Hotel Interpretive Center—also known as the Living Blues and Civil Rights Museum—officially opened, ensuring that the site’s powerful story continues to educate and inspire future generations.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
The Imperial Hotel, Thomasville, Georgia
The Imperial Hotel in Thomasville, Georgia, is a rare survivor of the Green Book era. Built in 1949 by Dorothy Lewis Thompson’s five brothers and operated by Dorothy and her husband, Harvey Thompson, it served as the only hotel in the region exclusively for Black travelers until it closed in 1969 following integration.
A Regional Safe Harbor
During its twenty years of operation, the Imperial was a “jewel” for Black travelers navigating the segregated South.
- Amenities: The two-story masonry building featured eight guest rooms and communal baths on the second floor, with a popular restaurant and a barbershop on the ground floor.
- Famous Guests: It hosted legendary musicians on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” including B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.
- Civil Rights Hub: After closing as a hotel in 1969, the building served as office space and briefly as the headquarters for the Thomasville chapter of the NAACP.
Preservation and The “Jack Hadley Yards”
After decades of neglect and being named one of Georgia’s “Places in Peril”, the hotel is now being revitalized:
- Acquisition: In 2018, the Jack Hadley Black History Museum purchased the hotel to ensure its survival.
- Symbolic Rebirth: In November 2022, the hotel’s iconic bright red neon sign was relit for the first time since 1969, signaling its future as a community landmark.
- Future Vision: The site is being transformed into Jack Hadley Yards, a unified cultural campus. Plans include turning the first floor into a museum satellite and the second floor into a period-authentic Airbnb, allowing guests to experience the history firsthand.
✦ The hotel remains one of only 109 Green Book hotels still standing today
Why These Hotels Matter
These properties were more than places to stay—they were safe havens in a time when Black travelers faced restricted access, discrimination, and danger on the road. They provided not only lodging, but also community, connection, and a sense of normalcy.
Today, many of these buildings no longer operate as hotels. Some have been preserved as historic landmarks, while others have been lost to time. Their legacy, however, continues to shape the modern movement of Black-owned hospitality businesses.
From the Green Book to Today
The spirit of the Green Book lives on through platforms like BlackHotelGuide.com—helping travelers discover and support Black-owned hotels, inns, and boutique stays around the world.
Before you book your next trip, explore our curated collection of Black-owned lodging and continue the legacy of travel with purpose.
Why This Page Matters
By documenting and sharing these stories, we ensure that the contributions of Black hotel owners and hospitality leaders are not forgotten. This is more than history—it is a foundation for economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and future growth.
Then and Now: Continuing the Legacy
The hotels listed in the Green Book laid the foundation for today’s Black-owned hospitality movement. While many historic properties no longer operate, their legacy lives on through a new generation of Black-owned hotels, resorts, and boutique inns across the United States and beyond.
Explore modern Black-owned lodging options and continue the tradition of traveling with purpose on BlackHotelGuide.com.
For readers who want to explore a broader historical listing and deeper research into Black-owned and operated hotels from the Green Book era, we recommend this detailed compilation from Pan Ethos blog, which highlights additional properties and context from this important period in American travel history.
Explore The First African-American Hotel Owners | The history of Black-Owned Hotels