Walking Directions: Continue to the front of the building that has the Dizzy Chicken sign. This is the sole remaining original building left on Congress Street from pre-Urban Renewal times.
Introduction to Stop 14
The Story
In the late 1960s and early 70s the Black neighborhood on CongressStreet was bulldozed as part of the Urban Renewal campaigns that were going on across the country at the time. The sole remaining building from that era is currently home of the restaurant “Dizzy Chicken.” This building was previously home to “The Hilltop Inn” and prior to that “The Burgas Inn”. The Hilltop Inn was listed in the 1949 Green Book under the name “Bill Vodney” who was the proprietor (note his name is misspelled in the guidebook: it is Bill Vodry)
“The Negro Motorist Green Book: An International Travel Guide” was a popular and useful guide for middle class Black Americans in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. It listed hotels, restaurants and stop overs that were considered “safe” for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.
The 2018 movie “The Green Book” captured the realities for Black entertainers and travelers during this era. It is worth watching. Below is a clip from the movie. Depending on your browser the link may take you to the YouTube website.
