PittsburghAfrican American Hotel1951 Letter Indianapolis Clowns Baseball Mgr

Original vintage letterhead of The Ellis Hotel to the Manager of the Indianapolis Clowns [Black N---o League baseball team] regarding room reservations signed by Frank Ellis very good with a couple of minor blue ink marks 8.5" x 11". Was a safe haven for traveling Black artists and celebrities and a hub of culture for. Originally established by James and Frank Ellis in. In an era when downtown.

Hotels had an unspoken "whites only" policy, the. Frank Ellis was a president of the Hotel Owners Alliance, an organization consisting of Black hoteliers in the city which formed in 1952 in response to a series of police raids on Black-owned hotels on charges of disorderly conduct or violation of liquor laws.

The Hotel Owners Alliance were united in the goal of continuing to provide courteous service and reasonable prices for their patrons. In a time when businesses could turn away patrons on the basis of race, the. Hospitably received Black celebrities such as Jackie Robinson, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and Ray Charles. If buyi ng more than one item, please wait for our invoice to pay. Please see our other original vintage photographs, antique books and ephemera. Please Read the Following Terms. We understand that unusual circumstances may arise, and we're happy to work with you whenever possible.

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