Located in the parking lot between Jordan Valley Community Health Center and the Springfield Municipal Court building is the former site of Alberta’s Hotel.

A three-story house that first served as the community hospital for the black community was remodeled by Ms. Alberta Ellis to include rooms for paying guests; a large dining room, a rumpus room, beauty salon, barbershop and snack bar. The hotel, staffed by family members, was located three blocks north of historic Route 66. Alberta’s Hotel was listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book beginning in 1954. Over the years, Route 66 travelers from across the United States and other countries stayed at Alberta’s Hotel.

Photos courtesy of: Alberta’s Hotel Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Missouri State University