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Los Angeles in the "Green Book"
Cover image for the 1948 edition of the Green Book. Image from the digital collection at the New York Public Library.
The Green Book (or more officially, The Negro Travelers' Green Book or The Negro Motorist Green Book) was a guidebook and directory published annually for African American travellers in the United States. It was an indespensible guide for cross-country travelers of color, who were typically not welcome at most places of lodging, dining, automotive and other personal conveniences and services due to widespread and accepted bigotry and racism. The guidebook was meant to help travelers quickly find welcoming businesses and services in unfamiliar large cities. With the widespread advent of the automobile in the United States, The Green Book became a vital resource for African American travelers, especially motorists. It was the namesake for the 2019 Academy Award-winning film "Green Book."
The Green Book was first published in 1936 by Victor Hugo Green, a New York postal worker, to provide a list of friendly travel resources for African American travelers to the New York City area. The success of that first edition led Green to expand subsequent editions to include other U.S. cities. By 1939, Green’s publication covered all large cities in America, including the Los Angeles area. Most of his editions carried the exhortation on the cover to “Carry your Green Book with you…you may need it.”
The introduction to the 1949 edition included these words:
There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That is when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States. It will be a great day for us to suspend this publication for then we can go wherever we please, and without embarrassment. But until that time comes we shall continue to publish this information for your convenience each year.
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was made law, making it illegal for businesses to engage in the sort of discrimination that made The Green Book a necessity. As foreseen and hoped for by Green, he ceased publication of the guidebook after the 1966 edition.
The Los Angeles Almanac here reproduces Green Book listings for the Los Angeles area (including Hollywood, Pasadena and Santa Monica). Most of these businesses have long since closed, although a few continue, such as the Biltmore Hotel and Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. For each business, we include The Green Book editions in which they were listed.
LOS ANGELES
Lodging
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Alexandria |
210 W. 5th St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Ambassador Hotel |
3400 Wilshire Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1963-1966 |
| Arcade |
542 Ceres Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1940-1948 |
| Astor Motel |
2901 S. Flower St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Avon |
405 S. Hewitt |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Bel Air Motel |
701 Stone Canyon Rd. |
Los Angeles |
1963-1966 |
| Biltmore Hotel |
515 S. Olive St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Californian |
1907 W. 6th St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Casbah Apartments and Rooms |
1189 W. 36th Pl. |
Los Angeles |
1953-1966 |
| Clark Hotel |
24 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939, 1940 |
| Clark Hotel |
1824 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1941-1961 |
| Clark Hotel |
425 S. Hill St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Colonial |
1393 E. 15th St. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1951 |
| Cortez |
375 Columbia Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Cosmopolitan Hotel |
South West Lake Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1955-1957 |
| Dunbar Hotel |
4025 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939, 1940 |
| Dunbar Hotel |
4225 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1941-1961 |
| EC Eastsider |
2133 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| EC Motel |
3501 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Elite Hotel |
1217 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1961 |
| Glacier |
523 Stanford St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1952 |
| Harmon Motel |
700 W. Florence Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Hayes Motel |
960 E. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1954-1966 |
| Hayes Western Motel |
3700 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1961-1966 |
| Johnson’s |
11816 S. Wilmington Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1954 |
| Allen (later Kentucky Hotel) |
1123 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1941 |
| Kentucky Hotel |
1123 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1961 |
| La-Dale Motel |
802 E. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1954-1957 |
| Lincoln Hotel |
549 Ceres Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1961 |
| Mack’s Manor Hotel |
1085 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1953-1961 |
| Manchester Motel |
800 E. Manchester Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Mayfair |
1256 W. 7th St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| McAIpin Hotel |
648 Stanford Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1961 |
| Menlo Motel |
3777 S. Menlo Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1961 |
| Morris |
809 E. 5th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Moulin Rouge Motel |
2050 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1956-1961 |
| New Casa Motel |
7720 S. Main St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Norbo |
529 E. 6th St. |
Los Angeles |
1950-1955 |
| Notel Motel |
4766 S. Main St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Olympic Hotel |
843 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1941-1961 |
| Palm Vue Motel |
39th PI. & Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1960-1966 |
| Raywood Motel |
8200 S. Figueroa St. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Regal Hotel |
815 E. 6th St. |
Los Angeles |
1940-1961 |
| Roberson’s Annex |
1757 Imperial Hwy. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1951 |
| Robersons Motel |
2111 E. Imperial Hwy. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1956 |
| Santa Barbara Motel |
1758 W. Santa Barbara Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Sheridan |
1824 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1940, 1941, 1947 |
| Sky Terrace Motel |
1925 W. Washington Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1961-1966 |
| Sojourner’s |
1119 E. Adams Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1940-1949 |
| Statler-Hilton |
930 Wilshire Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1962-1966 |
| Thomas Motel |
2050 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1953-1956 |
| Watkins Hotel |
2022 N. Adams Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1961 |
| Western Motel |
W. 37 St. & S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1956 |
| Williams Motel |
8311 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1961 |
Pages inside the 1948 edition of the Green Book showing Los Angeles entries. Image from the digital collection at the New York Public Library.
Tourist Homes**
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| J. Hardy (or Hordy) |
13333 McKinley Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1955, 1956 |
| Mrs. B. Hoffman |
760 W. 17th St. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1947 |
| Mrs. Rose Tizel |
2150 S. Hobart Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1957-1961 |
| Mrs. S. H. Grier |
1121 E. 22nd St. |
Los Angeles |
1939, 1940 |
| Mrs. W. D. Grealoiu |
1311 W. 35 Pl. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1941 |
| Vallee Vista |
2408 Cimarron St. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1961 |
Restaurants
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Arc |
4067 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Banks |
4019 S. Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Blue Room |
9900 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Casa Blanca |
2801 S. San Pedro St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Chief |
4400 S. Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Clifton’s Pacific Seas Restaurant |
618 S. Olive St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1960 |
| Clifton's Brookdale Restaurant |
648 S. Broadway |
Los Angeles |
1957-1961 |
| Digby |
1st & Alameda Sts. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| DownBeat Restaurant |
1064 E. 42nd St. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1953 |
| Eddie’s |
4201 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Gingham |
111 N. San Pedro Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Henry Bros. Restaurant |
10359 Wilmington (Watts) |
Los Angeles |
1947-1957 |
| Hi Jenks |
4428 Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Holiday-Café Restaurant |
4071 Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1957-1961 |
| Ivie’s Restaurant |
1105 E. Vernon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1960 |
| John’s |
3519 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Nita’s |
125 W. Vernon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Pig N’ Pat |
4200 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Robertson’s |
4815 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Shadowland |
4505 Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Southern |
5917 S. Normandie Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1941 |
| The Fawn |
Western & 29th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| V Robbie's |
4001 Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Waffle Shop Restaurant |
1063 E. 43 St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1957 |
| Woodson’s |
Jefferson & Raymond Sts. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Zombie Restaurant |
5432 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1961 |
Beauty Parlors
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Anna Mae’s |
4436 Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Beauty Salon |
1195 E. 35th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Bee's |
1476 10. 110th St. |
Los Angeles |
1941 |
| Colonial |
1813 1/2 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Continental |
5203 Hopper Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Creole |
2221 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1941, 1947 |
| Dunbar Hotel |
4225 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Gorum |
5440 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Louise |
816 E. 5th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| M. Wilson |
2818 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Margurite |
5011 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1953 |
| Mary Esther |
1709 E. 103rd St. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Mrs. A. B. Dunbar |
906 E. 54th St. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1941 |
| Sherwoods |
5113 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Studio |
2515 S. Central |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Tex |
2830 S. San Pedro St. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Triangle |
43 San Pedro & Wall Sts. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
Barber Shops
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Bertha’s |
1434 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1951 |
| Connie’s |
2204 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Echo |
43rd & Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Elite |
4204 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Hotel |
1808 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Personality |
4222 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Williams |
3615 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
Taverns & Road Houses
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Broter’s Rendezvous |
4210 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1953 |
| Casa Blanca |
2801 S. San Pedro St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Club Alimony |
9704 S. Main St. |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Club Broadway |
4374 S. Broadway |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Cosmo |
1952 W. Adams Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Crisbar |
2829 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Elk’s Lounge |
10123 Beach |
Los Angeles |
1953-1955 |
| Emerald Room |
901 E. 6th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Golden Gate |
1719 E. 103rd St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Johnson’s |
4201 S. Main St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1952 |
| Marble Inn |
1820 Imperial Hwy. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1949 |
| Margot |
5259 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Milomo |
2829 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Onyx |
1808 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Paradise |
5505 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Reney’s |
2023 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Samba |
5th St. & Towne Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Tip Top Cafe |
4631 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1955 |
Night Clubs
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Basket Room |
3219 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Billy Berg’s |
1354 N. Vine St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1952 |
| Cafe Society |
2711 S. San Pedro Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Club Alabam |
4215 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Elk’s Lounge |
1767 E. 103 St. (Watts) |
Los Angeles |
1949-1952 |
| Harlem |
11812 Parmalee |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Last Word |
4206 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1954 |
| Moroco |
46th & Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Oasis |
2801 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951, 1952 |
| Plantation |
108th St. & Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Rumboogie |
1751 1/2 E. 103rd St. (Watts) |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| The Downbeat |
4201 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1952 |
| Tommy Brookins |
1808 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Wakeki |
3741 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1955 |
Liquor Stores
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Ascot |
1404 51st St. |
Los Angeles |
1950-1952 |
| Dunbar |
4223 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Esquire |
Vernon & Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1955 |
| Fred Little John |
3503 Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1953, 1954 |
| House of Morgan |
2729 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1952 |
| Jackson’s |
5501 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Mike’s |
10959 Wilmington (Watts) |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| W. M. Davis |
4321 Long Beach Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1953, 1954 |
Service Stations
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Begal |
815 E. 6th St. |
Los Angeles |
1955 |
| Brock |
1246 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| C & U |
6301 S. Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1951 |
| Carner’s |
4500 S. Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1954 |
| Garcia |
52nd Pl. & Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Gracis |
5201 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1955 |
| Hollywood |
2103 E. 53rd St. |
Los Angeles |
1951 |
| Hopkins Signal Ser. |
3426 Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| Hughes |
2901 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Lewis & Hayes |
3426 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1941 |
| Long’s |
2732 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1951 |
| Newton’s |
3903 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| R. A. & S. |
Jefferson & Griffith |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
| Robertson’s |
1122 Hooper St. (Watts) |
Los Angeles |
1950 |
| Si Johnson’s |
3500 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1951 |
| Simpkins & Cower |
2227 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| The Relay |
2732 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1939-1941 |
| Tom’s |
1424 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Valentine’s Service |
2657 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1954 |
| Watson Bros. |
4000 S. Pedro St. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1955 |
| Wilkens |
4924 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1955 |
Garages
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Alexander’s |
Jefferson & Griffith |
Los Angeles |
1947-1954 |
| Bill’s |
4106 Avalon Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| La Clare |
Jefferson @ Hill |
Los Angeles |
1947-1949 |
| McAdam’s |
1448 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947 |
| Parkers |
2100 E. 103rd St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Parkers |
10229 Alameda St. |
Los Angeles |
1951-1954 |
Automotive
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Auto Parts |
864 N. Virgil Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Lee’s |
4820 S .Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
Drug Stores
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Allums |
4375 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Doctor’s |
4012 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Martinas |
4406 Avalon Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1952 |
| Medical |
3112 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Slopers |
2100 W. Jefferson Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1953 |
Tailors
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Bader’s |
1840 E. 103rd St. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Beason |
2901 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Benjamin |
5016 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1953-1955 |
| Delta |
8512 Compton Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1955 |
| Duver Bros. |
811 E. 5th St. |
Los Angeles |
1947, 1948 |
| Progressive |
4302 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1947-1950 |
| Season |
2901 S. Western Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949 |
Real Estate
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Bernard C. Herndon |
3419 S. Central Ave. |
Los Angeles |
1949-1955 |
* Editions – Editions of The Green Book in which this business was listed.
** Tourist Homes – private homes that took in temporary lodgers.
Cover image for the 1953 edition of the Green Book. Image from the digital collection at the New York Public Library.
HOLLYWOOD
Lodging
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Carlton Lodge |
2011 N. Highland Ave. |
Hollywood |
1963-64 & 1966-67 |
| Hallmark House Motor Hotel |
7023 Sunset Blvd. |
Hollywood |
1963-64 & 1966-67 |
| Hollywood Knickerbocker Mark Twain Hotel |
1522 N. Wilcox Ave. |
Hollywood |
1957-1961 |
| Hollywood Plaza |
1637 N. Vine St. |
Hollywood |
1962-1966 |
| Hollywood Roosevelt |
7000 Hollywood Blvd. |
Hollywood |
1962-1966 |
| Hollywood Thunderbird Inn |
8300 Sunset Blvd. |
Hollywood |
1963-1966 |
| Hollywood Wilcox Hotel |
6500 Selma Ave. |
Hollywood |
1963-1966 |
| Imperial "400" Motel |
6826 W. Sunset Blvd. |
Hollywood |
1963-1966 |
| Sands-Sunset Hotel |
8775 Sunset Blvd. |
Hollywood |
1963-1966 |
Tourist Homes**
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Jam. W. Brown |
2881 Seattle Dr. |
Hollywood |
1947-1950 |
Tailors
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Billy Berg’s (Same name as night club on Central Avenue?) |
707 N. Ridgewood |
Hollywood |
1953, 1954 |
* Editions – Editions of The Green Book in which this business was listed.
** Tourist Homes – private homes that took in temporary lodgers.
Cover image for the 1956 edition of the Green Book. Image from the digital collection at the New York Public Library.
PASADENA
Restaurants
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Hub |
Orange Grove @ Fair Oaks Ave. |
Pasadena |
1947 |
Taverns
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Kentucky |
1067 N. Fair Oaks Ave. |
Pasadena |
1939-1949 |
Service Stations
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| Penn’s Super |
1285 Lincoln Ave. |
Pasadena |
1939-1941 |
| Penn Mobile |
1096 Lincoln Ave. |
Pasadena |
1947-1955 |
| Stacy’s |
920 N. Fair Oaks Ave. |
Pasadena |
1941-1950 |
* Editions – Editions of The Green Book in which this business was listed.
** Tourist Homes – private homes that took in temporary lodgers.
SANTA MONICA
Taverns
| Business |
Street Address |
City |
Editions* |
| La Nobita |
1807 Belmont Pl. |
Santa Monica |
1939-1951 |
* Editions – Editions of The Green Book in which this business was listed.
** Tourist Homes – private homes that took in temporary lodgers.
