In the Old Fourth Ward of Atlanta, a significant piece of history has all but vanished from the landscape.
Walking east on Ralph McGill Boulevard from Piedmont Avenue, one will find no indication that the Forrest Arms Hotel once flourished in that very spot.
This three-story, U-shaped red-brick establishment, which operated from 1955 to 1965, served as a pivotal venue for Black entertainers, hosting legends such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and James Brown.
William Bell, an 85-year-old Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter, nostalgically recalls the hotel as an ‘entertainer’s paradise.’
During his first visit in 1961, Bell booked a room after performing with Dionne Warwick at the famous Royal Peacock Club nearby.
He emphasizes the limited options available to Black travelers before the Civil Rights Act, stating, “The Forrest Arms was the in place for Black acts in Atlanta.”
Despite its significance, the story of the Forrest Arms has been largely forgotten, as it now lies beneath the corporate facade of Georgia Power’s headquarters, with no remnants of its vibrant past.
The corner of Butler Street and Forrest Avenue, where the hotel thrived, has also undergone transformation.
Forrest Avenue was renamed Ralph McGill Boulevard in 1980 to honor a former Atlanta Constitution editor, while Butler Street was erased from maps after the hotel was demolished in an urban renewal project which paved the way for the Atlanta Civic Center.
This large venue has since closed its doors for good, marking the end of an era for the historic Black community of Buttermilk Bottom.
For a decade in the late ’50s and early ’60s, the Forrest Arms Hotel was a cultural hub, frequented by many visiting entertainers.
Bettye LaVette, a Detroit-based R&B singer, remembers being welcomed warmly in 1963 while on tour with Bell, Otis Redding, and Solomon Burke.
She reflects on the camaraderie and community the hotel fostered during a time when segregation limited so many opportunities for Black individuals.
LaVette echoes the sentiments of those who understood the vital role the Forrest Arms played, recalling it as one of the few locations in Atlanta where Black travelers could find accommodations and networking opportunities.
In her mother’s words, LaVette recalls the caution instilled in her about interacting with White people during her travels through the South.
Years later, she emphasized the importance of such spaces, stating, “Segregation had created an uneven playing field, but it also carved out uniquely Black spaces like the Forrest Arms.”
The hotel’s significance extended beyond its walls, acting as a melting pot of talent from across the nation, allowing these artists the freedom to collaborate and inspire.
William Bell reminisces about the late nights spent in musical jam sessions and conversations, connecting with artists like Ike and Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and many more.
He fondly remembers Gorgeous George, a key figure at the hotel, who he describes as knowing everyone and helping others, including a young Jimi Hendrix, as they navigated their artistic aspirations.
Fred Wesley, a renowned trombonist who played with James Brown, also attests to the lasting impact of the Forrest Arms on his career as he transitioned from supporting acts to leading his own.
This hotel proved to be an incubator of new musical genres, significantly shaping the trajectory of R&B, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll during this transformative period.
However, the legacy of the Forrest Arms was cut short when city officials began planning the construction of the Atlanta Civic Center in 1964.
Under municipal urban renewal initiatives, thousands of Black residents were displaced, and local businesses and schools were sacrificed.
The Kimbrough family, who owned the hotel, received a significant sum to close its doors, a fortunate outcome, according to Bud Kimbrough.
He notes that the Civil Rights Act provided more options for Black patrons, diminishing the reliance on hotels like the Forrest Arms.
Yet, the surrounding neighborhood suffered a devastating transformation as Black entrepreneurs who had established thriving businesses were uprooted, leaving nothing but memories.
Lucius Gantt, a resident who grew up nearby, reminisces about the Forrest Arms as a collective space of warmth and connection, vital to the community’s social fabric.
After the hotel’s closure, John Eddie Jefferson, the Forrest Arms’ beloved manager, sought to open his own establishment.
However, despite initial promises of a breakthrough for Black entrepreneurship, he seemingly never fulfilled this dream, eventually fading into obscurity.
Jefferson’s attempts may represent a larger narrative of lost opportunities during a crucial time in history.
The story of the Forrest Arms Hotel encapsulates the complexities of race, community, and cultural heritage in Atlanta.
Although the hotel no longer stands, its spirit continues to resonate in the memories of those who experienced its vibrant life.
Reflecting on the significance of this forgotten venue, William Bell states, “It was a happening place and a special time, but it’s something that gets lost in history unless someone writes it down.”
image source from：atlantamagazine
