Athens in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"The Berry"
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 22, 2018
1. “The Berry” Marker
Inscription.
"The Berry". . The Berry Hotel, one of Americas premier hotels, stood here from 1892 to 1974. Athenian Edward Cornelius Berry, a free black who had been educated at the Albany Enterprise Academy, and his modest wife, Martha Jane (Mattie) Berry, built, owned and operated the establishment until 1923. Mr. Berry is acknowledged as the first hotelier to place bibles in the hotel room. The rooms also included sewing kits, cologne, fruit baskets, and individual closets. The hotel was also outfitted with electric bells and gaslights at a time when these items were revolutionary. The Berry maintained its reputation of superior service and atmosphere, entertaining many dignitaries well into the twentieth century. After undergoing several transformations, including one as an Ohio University dormitory (Berry Hall), sadly, it was demolished in 1974.
The Berry Hotel, one of Americas premier hotels, stood here from 1892 to 1974. Athenian Edward Cornelius Berry, a free black who had been educated at the Albany Enterprise Academy, and his modest wife, Martha Jane (Mattie) Berry, built, owned and operated the establishment until 1923. Mr. Berry is acknowledged as the first hotelier to place bibles in the hotel room. The rooms also included sewing kits, cologne, fruit baskets, and individual closets. The hotel was also outfitted with electric bells and gaslights at a time when these items were revolutionary. The Berry maintained its reputation of superior service and atmosphere, entertaining many dignitaries well into the twentieth century. After undergoing several transformations, including one as an Ohio University dormitory (Berry Hall), sadly, it was demolished in 1974.
Erected 2004 by the Multicultural Genealogical Center, Chesterhill, OH and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, on May 23rd.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 39° 19.792′ N, 82° 6.062′ W.
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Marker is in Athens, Ohio, in Athens County. It is on North Court Street north of Washington Street, on the right when traveling north. It is in front of the Court Street Diner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens OH 45701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Close up of photo reproduced on marker, August 22, 2018
4. Martha Berry (1855–1941)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 22, 2018
5. Location of the Berry Hotel
Lot now holds the Court Street Diner and its parking lot. Marker is behind the light post.
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021
6. The Berry Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,854 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 26, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.
