Ben Moore Hotel

The Ben Moore Hotel was built in 1945 and opened its doors to African-Americans soon after. It would become the site of historic meetings between representatives of the black and white populations of Montgomery during the dawn of the Civil Rights era.

The four-story Ben Moore Hotel offered food & lodging, a safe place for meetings, and a vibrant social life free from the bigotry and hostilities of the racism of the 1940s, ‘50s and ’60s.

Malden Brothers Barber Shop, formerly located on the first floor, serviced many in the neighborhood including its most famous customer: the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was here he received on of his final haircuts.

The Dexter Avenue Church Parsonage, where he lived for many years, is just yards away.

Today, the hotel is vacant.

Address: 902 High Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
E-mail: thebenmoorehotel@gmail.com
Hotel not currently open for tours.

» View the moving oral history of the Ben Moore Hotel on our sister platform, Voices of Alabama.