December 16, 2007

Built originally as a hospital, this building located at the corner of 14th and Izard streets in Little Rock (Pulaski County) was purchased by Mr. H. L. Johnson in 1949. Remodeled and christened the Hotel Charmaine, it quickly became one of the South’s leading African-American hotels during the days of segregation. Such celebrities as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Fats Domino, and Sam Cooke stayed at the hotel. In 1961, the structure was razed to make way for new construction at Philander Smith College.