Riverside Hotel African American Historic Preservation Center

African American Civil Rights Network

The Riverside Hotel African American Historic Preservation Center in Clarksdale, Mississippi has been called the place “where blues gave birth to rock and roll”. The original structure served as the G.T. Thomas Afro-American Hospital. On September 26, 1937, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith passed away at the hospital a car accident outside Clarksdale.

In 1943, Mrs. Z.L. Ratliff Hill transformed the hospital into a hotel, extending the building to include 20 guest rooms over two floors. The Riverside Hotel opened for business in 1944. Mrs. Hill purchased the building in 1957 and it has remained in the hands of the Ratliff family to this day.

The Riverside Hotel African American Historic Preservation Center became part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.

The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.