Martin Luther King in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Martin Hotel

1924-1985

— Chattanooga, Tennessee —

Martin Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 22, 2007

1. Martin Hotel Marker

Inscription. For sixty-one years the Martin Hotel was located at this site. Established in 1924 by Robert Martin with 50 rooms it became the largest African-American hotel in the South. Many celebrities and entertainers such as: Ella Fitzgerald, The Ink Spots, Fats Domino, Mahalia Jackson, J. Ernest Wilkins (Former Assistant Secretary of Labor), Cab Calloway, the Platters, Nat "King" Cole, Lena Horne, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige and the "original" Harlem Globetrotters were guests at the hotel. The Martin Hotel closed November 30, 1985.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2A 89.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1865.

Location. 35° 2.704′ N, 85° 18.403′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Martin Luther King. It is on M. L. King Boulevard (Tennessee Route 2) near Lindsey Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern 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 original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Impressions (within shouting distance

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of this marker); First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States (about 500 feet away); A Point in the 2d Line of Works (about 600 feet away); Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (about 700 feet away); Old Post Office (about 700 feet away); Old Library Building (about 800 feet away); Ochs/Times Building (about 800 feet away); Sit-in Movement of 1960 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.

Other markers no longer nearby. A point in the 2D Line of Works (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Site of Redoubt Jones (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named A point in the 2D Line of Works (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Wide view of the Martin Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by PaulwC3, June 17, 2014

2. Wide view of the Martin Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2009, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,345 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 26, 2009, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 18, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.