INDIANAPOLIS — Black travelers were often denied hotel rooms because of the color of their skin before the Civil Rights Act became law in 1964. The Green Book helped them find safe places to stay, which included the Severin Hotel.
The now-Omni Severin Hotel was listed alongside several other Indianapolis hotels in the Green Book, but it is the only one still standing.
"We are honored to represent all of the people who were represented in that book," said Omni Severin general manager Steve Quackenbush.
The Negro Motorists Green Book was published in 1966 to help Black tourists stay safe in the era of Jim Crow segregation and sundown towns. The National Park Service estimates more than 80 percent of the sites featured in the book are gone.
Only one former hotel site in Indianapolis even has a historical marker. The Senate Avenue YMCA site between Michigan Street and Indiana Avenue is now a parking lot.
The other Indianapolis hotel sites listed in the Green Book were:
- Indianapolis YMCA, 653 N. West Street. Now the Canal Court apartment complex.
- Hawaii Hotel (or Marquis Hotel), 406 Indiana Avenue. Now the Canal Overlook apartment complex.
- Harbour Hotel, 617 Illinois Avenue. Now a parking lot behind the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
- Ferguson Hotel, 1102 Capitol Avenue. Site now covered by Interstate 65.
Quackenbush said the Omni Severin is planning a way to honor the hotel's ties to the Green Book so travelers can learn about it.
"We want to honor the effort that was made to make travel safe back in a very challenging period in history," Quackenbush said.
-
Local father raising awareness after son's carbon monoxide death
A Howard County father is turning personal tragedy into a warning for others after his teenage son died from carbon monoxide poisoning last year.
CAFE and far eastside Indy neighbors looking to guide revitalization
Community leaders and residents on Indianapolis' far eastside gathered Saturday to identify key issues and develop solutions to revitalize their neighborhood.
Firefighter injured in house fire caused by candle left unattended
IFD said that heavy fire was caused by a burning candle left unattended, forcing the occupants, three adults, four children and one dog to evacuate.
FEMA awards Indiana $4 million to aid recovery efforts from Spring 2025 storms
FEMA announced on Thursday that it approved $4 million in federal grant funding to support recovery efforts.
