MHI Helps Save Historic African American Hotel

356 Mulberry Spared the Wrecking Ball at Last Possible Minute

Memphis Heritage helped save a 120-year old house with a forgotten history from the wrecker's ball this month. The red brick Victorian at 356 Mulberry, it turns out, was once an upscale hotel for African Americans.

Henry and Cheri Rudner had recently inherited the property from Cheri's father and they were preparing to demolish the red brick structure, which was just a shadow of its former self. Its upper porch and roof now gone, it had been savaged by hurricane Elvis, and stripped over the years of much of its interior woodwork.

But the Rudners didn't know its true history.

Neely Woodson and her mother Lucy Woodson happened to see the wrecking company's sign, warning of imminent doom for the building. They had fallen in love with it years before, and knew they had to do something. In a race to save it, they began researching it and contacting everyone she could think of. One contact led to another, and that's when they linked up with June West.

If the house had been located in an Historic Preservation District, there would have been some legal means to prevent its demolition.

Mere love was not going to be enough. The Woodsons and West had to find a good reason to justify saving it. And finally they did.

A listing discovered in a 1943 directory proclaimed: "Eureka Hotel, Memphis' Oldest and Best Colored Hotel". Apparently, some great musicians had stayed there when performing in Memphis. Rumor even had it that Duke Ellington was at the Eureka when he wrote "Sophisticated Lady".

Now it was a matter of convincing the owners before it was too late.

But as it happens Henry and Cheri Rudman have history, too. They own Ampro Industries, Inc., an international manufactorer of ethnic hair care products. The house came to them from the estate of Cheri's father, Irvin Lansky, who founded the company.

"Through our business we have a strong commitment to the African American community and we would never intentionally do anything that would damage that relationship," the Rudners said. They decided to call off the demolition.

By now, the old hotel's doom had gotten as close as a barber's razor: The wreckers had even begun to work. Neely Woodson said was considering chaining herself to the house when the good news finally arrived.

The Rudners have agreed to donate the property to an organization prepared to renovate it and showcase its history. With the help of Memphis Heritage, the search for the right donee has begun.

Call MHI at 529-9828 if you know of such an organization or want to help.

Links:

Owners to Donate, not Demolish, Memphis' Oldest African American Hotel Preservation Online, National Trust for Historic Preservation, February 2, 2005

Historic Hotel Faces Destruction, WMC-TV, 1/13/05

Matching House With History, Commercial Appeal, 1/15/05

MapQuest: Location of 356 Mulberry