During a challenging era of racial segregation, The Negro Motorist Green Book emerged as an indispensable guide for African Americans navigating the perilous roads of the United States. This annually published guidebook, often simply called the Green Book, provided crucial information to ensure safer travel experiences for Black motorists, particularly along iconic routes like Route 66.
The concept for The Negro Motorist Green Book was born from the vision of Victor Hugo Green, an African American mailman residing in New York City. He initiated its publication in 1936, a period profoundly marked by Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced widespread and often legally sanctioned discrimination against African Americans, particularly prevalent in the Southern states, but also manifesting as de facto segregation in the North.
The Necessity of the Green Book: Navigating a Segregated Nation
By the 1930s, African Americans were increasingly purchasing automobiles and joining the burgeoning trend of road travel. However, this newfound mobility was met with severe racial barriers. State laws in the South mandated separate facilities for African Americans, extending to motels, restaurants, and gas stations. Even in Northern states, numerous businesses maintained exclusionary policies. Beyond the practical challenge of finding services, simple road trips often presented significant dangers for Black travelers. Those who could afford automobiles and ventured to travel were frequently perceived as “uppity” or “too prosperous,” leading to outright denial of service, harassment, or even abuse. Racial profiling by law enforcement was common, and many communities were infamous “Sundown Towns,” where no person of color was permitted after sunset, sometimes under threat of violence.
Victor Green understood the urgent need for a resource that could mitigate these risks. He began by compiling information on businesses within the New York City area that welcomed Black customers, including stores, motels, and gas stations. In 1936, the first edition of his guide was published, listing safe havens where Black travelers could stop, refuel, eat, and find lodging. Recognizing the scarcity of traditional lodging options for African Americans in many areas, Green also listed “tourist homes” – private residences where Black families could rent a room, offering a vital alternative when hotels were inaccessible.
Expansion and Impact: The “Bible of Black Travel”
The guide’s immediate popularity quickly prompted Green to expand its coverage to include other U.S. destinations. To support this ambitious undertaking, he established a publishing office in Harlem, New York. Annually, 15,000 copies of the Green Book were published and strategically marketed to both Black and white-owned businesses. A key partnership was forged with Esso gas stations, one of the few companies willing to franchise to African Americans, which then distributed the books to traveling customers. This symbiotic relationship significantly broadened the book’s reach, making it an essential companion for thousands of motorists.
By 1947, Green further innovated by establishing a travel agency dedicated to booking reservations at Black-owned establishments, simplifying travel planning for his community. Just two years later, the guide’s influence extended internationally, encompassing destinations in Bermuda and Mexico, a testament to its widespread utility and the growing travel aspirations of African Americans. As Wendell P. Alston wrote in the 1949 edition, “The Negro traveler’s inconveniences are many and they are increasing because today so many more are traveling, individually and in groups.”
Victor Hugo Green continued to publish the guide until his passing in 1960. His wife, Alma, took over as editor, continuing its publication until 1966. By this time, the landscape of civil rights in America had undergone a monumental shift. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally abolished racial segregation in public facilities, theoretically rendering the Green Book obsolete.
Route 66: A Different Journey for African Americans
Among the countless highways and cities listed in the Green Book, Route 66 held a special place. Stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, this iconic road, often romanticized as “America’s Mother Road,” evokes feelings of freedom and nostalgia for many. It is seen as a tangible link to previous generations, a symbol of westward expansion and adventure. However, for African Americans, the experience of traveling Route 66 was markedly different from the carefree journey often depicted in popular culture.
As noted author, photographer, and cultural critic Candacy Taylor profoundly states, “Being black and traveling away from home during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation in the U.S. was potentially life-threatening.” This stark reality underscores why a resource like the Green Book was not merely convenient but a matter of survival. Victor H. Green began his publication approximately a decade after Route 66 was officially designated, highlighting the immediate and ongoing need for such a guide throughout the road’s heyday.
Michael Wallis, a respected author and historian who has been instrumental in the resurgence of interest in Route 66, provided a poignant perspective in his essay, The Other Mother Road. He recounted seeing “No Colored” signs at gas stations on Route 66 as a boy, just as he did in the Deep South. Wallis elaborated, describing how Black families traveling America’s byways were often forced to pack their own food and frequently slept in their vehicles, unable to access public accommodations. He emphasized that for these travelers, “They didn’t get their kicks on Route 66 – or at least the kind of kicks I was getting as a youngster or a few years later as a hitchhiking Marine.” Wallis credits the Green Book with likely saving many lives, concluding that “the old road has plenty of scar tissue, much to be ashamed of and much to brag about, as well as a bright future. It is an unfinished story – a work in progress.”
Preserving the Legacy: Documenting the “Darker Side” of the Mother Road
Part of this ongoing “work in progress” involves diligently documenting the lesser-known, darker side of America’s Mother Road. It requires moving beyond the nostalgic memories of those who never had to worry about where they would eat, sleep, or even obtain gasoline. Route 66, in its essence, mirrored the nation’s complexities, showcasing both its triumphs and its deep-seated prejudices. This is precisely why the work spearheaded by Candacy Taylor, in collaboration with the National Park Service’s Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, is so vital.
Taylor embarked on a journey along Route 66, meticulously documenting the remnants of the courageous businesses that once offered refuge and service to Black travelers, as listed in the Green Book. Her research revealed that over half of the 250 Green Book sites along Route 66 listed in the 1960s are now lost. However, establishments like the DeAnza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and even some Fred Harvey Restaurants and Hotels, played pivotal roles for thousands of travelers. These sites were crucial elements in carefully planned journeys designed to circumvent the pervasive pitfalls of Jim Crow laws and entrenched racism. The National Park Service’s Route 66 Green Book Project aims to illuminate these critical stories of racial discrimination and resilience for Black and other travelers of color. Furthermore, it seeks to preserve the remaining structures of these historically significant businesses, fostering commemoration and a deeper understanding of the experiences of those who relied on them to navigate and ultimately experience Route 66.
This critical initiative extends to partnerships with institutions like Missouri State University, which has collaborated with the National Park Service to produce a series of video interviews. These discussions delve into minority experiences and memories of Historic Route 66 in Green County and Springfield, Missouri, the celebrated birthplace of the Mother Road. These collective efforts ensure that the complete narrative of Route 66, including the courageous journeys facilitated by The Negro Motorist Green Book, is not forgotten but rather celebrated and learned from, shaping a more inclusive understanding of American history.
