Neon letters from the Chase Hotel

Driving down Kingshighway Boulevard in the 1940s, you could easily spot these neon letters atop the Chase Hotel. The building itself was nearly 20 years old when the letters were added to the rooftop as part of a renovation project. Built by Chase Ulman, the hotel merged with Sam Koplar’s Park Plaza in 1947. However, many visiting entertainers and athletes were barred from the hotel because of a “whites only” policy in place until the 1950s that prevented Black people from staying at the hotel or being served at its restaurant. The hotel closed in 1989 but reopened 10 years later.

Object Title and Accession Number

Neon letters from the Chase Hotel. Unknown maker, ca. 1940. 1991-067-0001a-e.