Hotels & Tourist Homes

Green Turtle Hotel

The Green Turtle Hotel, owned by Leonard Foreman, was located at the corner of Federal and N. Howard Streets. While information regarding this site is somewhat limited, it appears that this hotel was a popular destination. For instance, in 1938 with the rise of automobiles, auto tags were being given out in the lobby of the hotel.  An African American registrar, William Kent, assisted by Hattie Peavy and Leonard Forman, dispensed the tags. A 1938 article describes a massive luncheon at the Green Turtle that featured many prominent local political figures. Advocacy for the African American community was a discussion point of this meeting. Mrs. Oda Forman (presumably Leonard Forman’s wife) sold the hotel on April 9, 1957, to Anthony Divoky for $50,000. Mrs. Forman died days later on April 17. The fate of this site is unclear after its sale, but given its location, it is possible that the Akron Innerbelt project forced its removal. The hotel was certainly an active location that hosted powerful local political figures and was at the forefront of advocacy for African American rights. 

Leonard Foreman, owner of the Green Turtle Hotel, 1942 | Stewart Collection, University of Akron Archives and Special Collections
Location of The Green Turtle Hotel (circled in red) | Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Akron, 
1930-1940 : Vol. 1, 1940

Green Book Details

Green Turtle Hotel appears in the Green Book from 1939 to 1967 at Federal & Howard Sts. in Akron under the category Hotels.

Resources

  • Advertisement: “Happy New Year.” Pittsburgh Courier. January 1, 1938.
  • “Call-Post Opens New Office in Akron.” Call & Post. July 18, 1935.
  • Classified Listing. Akron Beacon Journal. December 25, 1936.
  • “Davey Appointees Give Lucheon.” Pittsburgh Courier. August 6, 1938
  • “Forman Estate Put At $58,267.” Akron Beacon Journal. January 11, 1958.
  • Green Turtle Hotel ad. Call & Post. August 1, 1935.
  • Kingsberry, A., ed. Akron Negro Directory. Akron, OH: Kingsberry, 1940.
  • “1938 License Tags.” Pittsburgh Courier. March 5, 1938.
  • Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Akron. 1930-1940. Vol. 1, 1940.
Federal & North Howard St, Akron, OH

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