The Dunbar Hotel, originally known as the Hotel Somerville, was the focal point of the Central Avenue African-American community in Los Angeles, California, during the 1930s and 1940s. Built in 1928 by John Alexander Somerville, it was known for its first year as the Hotel Somerville.

Built as the Hotel Somerville, the Dunbar Hotel played a key role in L.A.’s African American community for decades. Doctor John Somerville built the hotel for the first West Coast convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1928.

2019年12月27日 · As racism and discrimination raged outside its polished lobby doors, the hotel served as a home away from home for some of L.A.'s most fascinating black historical...

2019年4月8日 · The Dunbar Hotel, a center of African American life and culture during the Jazz Age, is once again a pillar of its community—this time as affordable senior housing.

2015年2月17日 · The Dunbar Hotel was once the epicenter of African-American culture and society in Los Angeles. Today, it is a nice brick building that houses seniors; it looks like a million other well made, slightly dingy structures from the 1920s.

2013年12月5日 · Take a trip back in time and explore the Dunbar Hotel through photos found at the Smithsonian. Learn more about this building that used to sit on the northwest corner of 15th and U St before being demolished in 1974.

2021年5月1日 · The Dunbar Hotel, originally known as Hotel Somerville, was built by John and Vada Somerville, who were wealthy black residents of LA at the start of the 1910s. John and Vada Somerville were the first and second African American graduates from University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry .

2011年3月31日 · Housing covenants and other forms of discrimination followed them and forced the creation of a black community along South Central Avenue. For decades, the most popular spot in this district (and all of Los Angeles, for African Americans) was the Dunbar Hotel.

2013年6月25日 · The legendary hotel at 43rd and Central is now a home for low-income seniors. Rent starts at about $430 a month. One resident, London Carter, now lives in the glow of the hotel that was a neon...

Built as the Hotel Somerville by Dr. John Alexander Somerville in 1928, the Dunbar Hotel played a key role in L.A.’s African American community for decades.