Save the Colson

We are committed to ensuring the Colson Hotel remains a part of Sarasota’s history for generations to come.

Learn about Our Vision ⟶

“In 1925, the City leaders had the resolution, the humanity, and the courage to hold space for Sarasota’s Black Community.

Almost 100 years later, we are steadfastly committed to doing the same.”

About the Colson Hotel

The Colson Hotel, originally known as the Colson Hotel for Negroes, holds a unique and vital place in Sarasota’s history. Built in 1925 by prominent developer Owen Burns at 1425 Eighth St., the hotel was one of the few places in southwest Florida where Black people could find safe accommodations during the Jim Crow era. At a time when segregation laws restricted African Americans from staying in most hotels, the Colson Hotel provided a crucial sanctuary for Black travelers and workers, especially during the Florida land boom of 1924-1926.