E.F. Young Jr. Hotel, A Safe Haven For Black Mississippi Travelers During Segregation, Has Been Demolished

A Black-owned Mississippi hotel that was a sanctuary for Black travelers during segregation has been torn down after years of standing in ruin.

The E.F. Young Jr. Hotel was demolished on Monday in Meridian as a small crowd gathered to witness the end of a monument in the Black community. Young Jr., a successful entrepreneur, opened it in 1946 and attracted travelers of color, as it was one of the few places where they were safe in the deep south. Over the years, notable names such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., singer Ella Fitzgerald, and the Harlem Globetrotters have come through its doors. The hotel was listed in what was known as “The Green Book,” which was a directory for African-Americans motorists. The book detailed a number of businesses and lodging that allowed Black’s without repercussions.

“It was a very nice and modern facility,” said grandson Charles Young Jr.

The 30-room hotel was an instant success, featuring a barber shop and beauty salon on the first floor. Sadly, the hotel closed its doors in 1978, being converted into sales and manufacturing office spaces by E.F.’s wife, Velma Beal Young. Unfortunately, it later went vacant and remained that way, slowly deteriorating. In September 2021, the city deemed the empty structure a safety hazard. The Young family stayed the owners but said that it was too costly to repair. Earlier this year, they made the decision to demolish it after seeing estimates for restoration.

It’s unclear if another hotel will be built in its place.