Date

4-17-2024

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Edward J. Waldron

Keywords

Negro Motorist Green Book, Green Book, Travelers' Green Book, South Carolina, African American, 1950s, Columbia South Carolina, Travel and Tourism

Disciplines

History

Abstract

Travel and tourism in the United States had become an essential pastime for all social classes by the end of the nineteenth century going into the twentieth century. Due to segregation, however, only whites were able to thoroughly enjoy this glorious luxury openly. African Americans during this time had to find ways to enjoy this pastime while avoiding the constant discrimination, humiliation, and embarrassment that came with traveling. From this need were created black travel guides such as the highly successful Negro Motorist Green Book produced by African American businessman and entrepreneur Victor Hugo Green. From 1936 to 1966, Green’s travel guide helped millions of black travelers by providing various accommodations: tourist homes, restaurants, hotels, motels, beauty parlors, barber shops, service stations, gas stations, and much more. Its main goal was to assist black motorists traveling from one location to the next safely. In particular, it assisted black Americans who consistently traveled in and out of the southern parts of the United States. The South was a dangerous place to travel to and from, especially throughout the 1950s and 1960s. States like South Carolina made it difficult to navigate through due to the laws set in place that went against any form of basic rights for black Americans. The Negro Motorist Green Book became an important tool for South Carolina’s black community during its publication. Most importantly, it brought great significance to Columbia, South Carolina, and its black community, whose legacy still prevails today.

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