Amanda Jones Amanda Jones

Black Joy: Crispus Attucks/Horseshoe Bar Mural Deeper Dive

Black Entertainment Venues – Edwin Anderson

The Horseshoe Bar, 333 Grandville SW – First opened in 1891 the actual bar-top was in the shape of a horseshoe “U”, giving the bar its name, and was a bar and entertainment venue until 1972. Venues like Frank (Fred) Lamar’s legendary Horseshoe Bar would feature musicians performing for black and white audiences on weekends. It is rumored that Frank Lamar ran an illegal speakeasy and brothel in the building’s upper levels during the American Prohibition in the 1920s. When present-day owners Honest to Goodness Tattoo began remodeling the building in 2019, they found a secret room hidden behind a false wall. This is believed to be where alcohol was hidden in the building during the Prohibition period. 
American Legion Crispus Attucks Club 59, 243-5 Commerce, SW – The building was built in 1989 by the Crispus Attucks American Legion Post, an organization that was organized in the mid-1930s and mainly served black veterans. It was built after a previous structure was destroyed by fire. Performers like John Lee Hooker and Alberta Adams performed at the Crispus Attucks American Legion Post 59 located at 243-5 Commerce Avenue until 2006. In the early 1940s, this two-story building became one of the primary locations for African-American social events in Grand Rapids and was owned by the black service members.  
The venue was named after Crispus Attucks (1723-1770) a freed slave. Attucks is thought to have become the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed during The Boston Massacre on March 5th, 1770. 
  • There was debate for many years following the revolutionary war as to whether Attucks was a hero of the revolution or just a troublemaker/villain. His story was ignored through much of history.   
  • A freed slave, Attucks is thought to have become the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed during The Boston Massacre on March 5th, 1770.   

The Waldron Building – Barnett’s-Williams Hotel-Philadelphia Hotel-Opus 1894 

Built in 1894, The Waldron building’s first recorded function was as a hotel called “Central House”. Located right by the Union Depot train station, it was a popular spot to stop for those coming into town on the Pere Marquette from places like Detroit and Chicago. It became the Williams Hotel in 1926, owned by a Black family from Chicago. In 1940 it became Barnett’s Hotel, owned by Stanley Barnett. Barnett came to Grand Rapids in 1902 from Chicago. He worked for a long time as a waiter at the Pantlind Hotel, but had dreams of becoming a business owner. Barnett’s- which included a bar/lounge in addition to the hotel- was the place where everyone in Grand Rapids could come and feel welcome, no matter their skin color. This was during a time when Grand Rapids was heavily prejudiced and segregated, and blacks would be turned away at other hotels, such as the Pantlind. Barnett died in 1947 at age 68, and his son Stanley Jr. Took over hotel operations and then Alphonse Lewis Jr. and later his sister assumed management. Barnett’s had live entertainment until 1963- the same year Union Station was demolished. In 1999 a potential revitalization project occurred, with the hope of reopening the Waldron Building as a bar and restaurant.  
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