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.
-
IU to play exhibition game in Evansville against Western Kentucky
IU men's basketball will travel south to Evansville to play Western Kentucky in an exhibition game on October 25. The game will be played at the Ford Center.
IMPD searching for suspect in deadly southeast side hit-and-run
Police are searching for the driver they say fled from a deadly crash on Indy's southeast side earlier this month.
Dusty May leaving Michigan to become Dallas Mavericks head coach
ESPN reports that the Wolverines head coach is finalizing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to become their next head coach.
Police: Man fatally shot in Columbus; shooter says victim attacked him
An investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot at a home in Columbus Monday morning, with the shooter claiming he was attacked by the victim.
