Somerville Hotel, Los Angeles
historic place
The Somerville Hotel, a historic place in Los Angeles, California, was constructed in 1928. It was established by Dr. John Somerville and his wife, Vada Somerville. The hotel was built to provide first-class accommodations for African Americans in segregated Los Angeles, who were often denied comparable lodging elsewhere. In 1928, the Somerville Hotel hosted the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's first West Coast convention. W.E.B. Du Bois praised the new hotel as a luxurious 'jewel'. It quickly became a significant gathering place and a hub for the African American community, fostering development along Central Avenue. The hotel was later renamed the Dunbar Hotel. This location holds historical importance, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Somerville Hotel represents a key site in the social history of Los Angeles, reflecting a period of significant community building and cultural activity.