Black History month

By Mark Keith, 02/5/20 11:22 AM

Since this is Black History Month, we want to note the observance with some local notes on African-American History.  The former Nelson Hotel at 217 East Third in Hope was for many years the only hotel open to African Americans between Little Rock and Dallas.  The hotel hosted virtually every Black entertainer of note from the early through late twentieth century including Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.  While the hotel is long out of business the building still stands and houses Hope Outdoor Power and Equipment.  Sometimes we wonder about the history we’d learn if the walls of this landmark could talk!