Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
H & O Café
— Eastside Neighborhood Black History Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
1. H & O Café Marker
Originally the site of a dry goods store owned by Tierce Lee, a wealthy
black businessman listed in the Dunn and Bradstreet reports, and his
brother Shef, the building was bought by their brother Hamp and his
wife Ola in 1944 and converted to the H & O Café (using their intials [sic] for the name). The Grier family purchased the building in 1947 and has owned and operated the cafe for more than sixty years, earning acclaim for their traditional southern style food. The H&O became an informal place for the African American community to gather and organize during the Civil Rights era and has been visited and patronized by many local and national celebrities and politicos.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 30° 25.492′ N, 87° 12.823′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is at the intersection of East Gonzalez Street and North Hayne Street, on the right when traveling east on East Gonzalez Street.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
2. H & O Café and the Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Lee Pickens’ Medical Office (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Sunday (about 700 feet away); General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Original Site of Pensacola Junior College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort George (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort San Bernardo (approx. 0.4 miles away); E.S. Cobb Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort George (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Also see . . . Pensapedia, the Pensacola encyclopedia article on the H&O Café. (Submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
