About the Colson Hotel
The Colson Hotel: A Monument to Sarasota’s African-American History.
Owen Burns
Lewis & Irene Colson
The Colson Hotel, originally known as the Colson Hotel for Negroes, holds a unique and vital place in Sarasota’s history. Built in 1925-1926 for a cost of $35,000 by prominent developer Owen Burns, 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.
The hotel was named in honor of Rev. Lewis Colson, a former enslaved person who helped plat the city of Sarasota. Colson was also the first minister of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, serving the African-American community from 1899 to 1915. His contributions extended beyond the spiritual realm, as he was instrumental in shaping Sarasota’s infrastructure and fostering the growth of the Black community in Overtown (now the Rosemary District). His wife, Irene Colson, played a vital role as well, serving as a midwife and a pillar of support for Black families who were denied access to mainstream medical care.
Opening its doors on December 15th, 1926, the Colson Hotel quickly became a haven for African Americans navigating the segregated South. It offered not only a place to stay but also a symbol of hope and dignity in an era of systemic racial oppression. However, as the years passed, the hotel fell into disrepair, and its future now hangs in the balance. The Sarasota City Commission is faced with the critical decision whether to preserve this important piece of Black history or allow it to be demolished.
Despite its current state, the Colson Hotel remains an enduring symbol of resilience and a testament to the struggles and contributions of Sarasota’s African-American community. Recently, the hotel was recognized as one of Sarasota’s Six to Save buildings, a designation reserved for historically significant structures at risk of being lost.
In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation selected the Colson Hotel as one of their Eleven to Save, elevating its importance to the national stage and highlighting the urgent need for preservation.
Location of the Colson Hotel in downtown Sarasota
The resting place of Irene & Lewis Colson in relation to the site.
The graves of Irene and Lewis Colson inside of Rosemary Cemetery.
Other important historic properties preserved near the Colson Hotel
As the community rallies around the decision to save the Colson Hotel, it stands as a powerful reminder of the city’s complex racial history and the vital role African Americans played in its development.
