Historic talk to be held about former Goins Hotel

The Landmark Columbus Foundation and Black History Columbus will discuss the history of the 23-room boarding house that served Black travelers during segregation.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Landmark Columbus Foundation and Black History Columbus will be holding a Progressive Preservation talk this afternoon about the former historic Goins Hotel, a 23-room boarding house that served Black travelers during segregation. The hotel was built in 1928 at 415 and 1/2 Fourth Street in downtown Columbus and was established by Elmer and Lydia Goins. Paulette Roberts and Cameryn Kent will discuss the history of the site, which is now recognized with a plaque as part of the Columbus Black Heritage Trail.

Why it matters

The Goins Hotel was an important institution that provided accommodations for Black travelers during a time of segregation and racial discrimination. Preserving and highlighting the history of this site helps to recognize the contributions of the Black community in Columbus and the challenges they faced.

The details

The Goins Hotel was a 23-room boarding house built in 1928 at 415 and 1/2 Fourth Street in downtown Columbus. It was established by Elmer and Lydia Goins to serve Black travelers during the era of segregation. The site is now recognized with a plaque as part of the Columbus Black Heritage Trail, and the Landmark Columbus Foundation and Black History Columbus will be discussing the hotel's history at a talk this afternoon.

  • The Goins Hotel was built in 1928.
  • The Progressive Preservation talk will be held today, February 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

The players

Landmark Columbus Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic and cultural heritage of Columbus, Indiana.

Black History Columbus

A local organization focused on researching, documenting, and sharing the history of the Black community in Columbus.

Elmer and Lydia Goins

The founders of the Goins Hotel, a 23-room boarding house that served Black travelers during segregation.

Paulette Roberts

A researcher who has been investigating the history of the Goins Hotel.

Cameryn Kent

A researcher who has been investigating the history of the Goins Hotel.

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What they’re saying

“The Goins Hotel was an important institution that provided accommodations for Black travelers during a time of segregation and racial discrimination.”

— Paulette Roberts, Researcher (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The Landmark Columbus Foundation and Black History Columbus plan to continue researching the history of the Goins Hotel and exploring ways to further preserve and commemorate its legacy.

The takeaway

The story of the Goins Hotel highlights the resilience and ingenuity of the Black community in Columbus during a time of systemic racism and discrimination. By preserving this history, the city can honor the contributions of those who worked to create spaces of belonging and opportunity.