Alberta's Hotel: A Safe Haven on Route 66 During Jim Crow

Historian to explore the story of Springfield's Alberta Northcutt Ellis and her family-run hotel

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:18pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a vintage motel sign, with the neon letters and numbers visible through a hazy, rain-streaked lens, evoking a nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere.The Alberta's Hotel sign glowed as a beacon of hospitality and safety for Black travelers along Route 66 during the Jim Crow era.Springfield Today

Alberta Northcutt Ellis, a Springfield native, provided Black travelers along Route 66 a safe, reliable, and welcoming place to stay at her family-run hotel during the Jim Crow era. Ellis and her multi-generational family operated the hotel on North Benton while she also worked at Southwestern Bell. Historian Bridget Haney will lead a virtual webinar on Ellis and her hotel on May 14.

Why it matters

Alberta's Hotel was an important safe haven for Black travelers during a time of widespread racial segregation and discrimination. The hotel's story sheds light on the resilience and community-building efforts of Black entrepreneurs and families in the face of Jim Crow laws.

The details

Alberta Northcutt Ellis ran the Alberta's Hotel in Springfield, Missouri, providing accommodations for Black travelers on the historic Route 66 highway during the Jim Crow era. The hotel was operated by Ellis and her multi-generational family, who worked together to create a welcoming environment for their guests.

  • Alberta's Hotel operated in Springfield during the Jim Crow era.
  • Historian Bridget Haney will lead a virtual webinar on the hotel's history on May 14, 2026.

The players

Alberta Northcutt Ellis

A Springfield native who owned and operated Alberta's Hotel, a safe haven for Black travelers on Route 66 during the Jim Crow era.

Bridget Haney

A historian with the State Historical Society of Missouri who will lead a virtual webinar on Alberta's Hotel and its history.

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What they’re saying

“The hotel itself, the family was so multi-generational, right? And so, we're from great grandparents all the way down to grandchildren, and then they remember being at the hotel and working, but also experiencing this, this very vibrant community.”

— Bridget Haney, Historian

What’s next

The virtual webinar on Alberta's Hotel led by historian Bridget Haney will take place on May 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Alberta's Hotel served as an important safe haven and community hub for Black travelers on Route 66 during the Jim Crow era, highlighting the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Black families in the face of widespread discrimination.