Sutherland Hotel

The Sutherland Hotel is a seven-story brick and terra cotta structure located at the intersection of 47th Street and Drexel Boulevard, featuring architectural details from 1917. The building originally operated as a hotel with a jazz lounge inside, and later was converted into residential apartments.

The building was commandeered by the US government in 1918 before completion to serve as a military hospital during World War I. After the war ended, it was converted into a hotel with entertainment facilities.

The Sutherland Lounge showcased jazz performances where musicians of different backgrounds played together, breaking social barriers of the time. Visitors from across the city gathered in this room, making it a place where people from different communities mixed freely.

The location is in Kenwood and is easily accessible by public transportation. Note that the building is now a residential apartment complex and is not open for public entry.

The hotel became one of the first integrated establishments in Chicago in 1952, accepting black and white guests without discrimination. This bold choice made it a gathering place for civil rights organizations working to challenge segregation.