Green Book Sites in Lynchburg

Lynchburg businesses advertised in every issue of the “Negro Motorist Green Book” from 1938 to 1967. Most of the sites were located along Fifth Street, Lynchburg’s “Black Main Street” during the era of Jim Crow segregation.

Fifth Street Advertisers

Happyland Lake Tourist Home (812 Fifth Street)—connected to Happyland Lake, located off Timberlake Road

Fifth Street Pharmacy (901 Fifth Street)—proprietor James E. Johnson (res. 403 Monroe)
The Humbles Building, in which the pharmacy was located, is the last remaining Green Books structure on Fifth Street.

Virginia Inn Restaurant (908½ Fifth Street)

Manhattan Hotel/Goldendale Inn (“Road House”) (1001 Fifth Street)—This structure was demolished c.1950 and replaced with the Johnson Building, where Drs. Eldorado and Walter Johnson worked.

Selma’s Beauty Parlor (1002 Fifth Street)—Selma R. Simms

United Service Station (1016 Fifth Street)

King’s Tavern (corner Fifth and Monroe Street)—likely the same business as “King’s Café” at 903 Fifth Street, proprietor Essie King

Douglas Hotel or Hotel Douglas (Route 29–probably meaning Fifth Street)

Other Sites

Petersburg Hotel (66 Ninth Street)

Mrs. C. Harper Tourist Home (1109 Eighth Street)—operated by Carrie Moorman Harper (1885–1983)

Mrs. N. P. (Nelson P.) Washington Tourist Home (611 Polk Street)—operated by Grace Virginia Waters Washington

Mrs. M. Thomas Tourist Home (919 Polk Street)

Mrs. Smith Tourist Home (504 Jackson Street)—operated by Lillian Walton Smith (Mrs. James T. Smith) (1899–1982)

Phyllis Wheatley YWCA (613 Monroe Street)

The Mecca Restaurant (1816 Bedford Avenue)—owned by Wayland Mitchell

Learn more about Green Books sites in Virginia and the United States here: