Pullman Neighborhood hosts discussion about historic International Hotel property

A meeting hosted by the Pullman Neighborhood Council and District 3 Councilmember Doria Robinson was held last week to explore the future of Richmond's historic International Hotel, which was destroyed along with two adjacent homes in a fire last April.

The discussion was led by the Pullman Neighborhood Council and councilmembers Doria Robinson and Gayle McLaughlin, as well as Karithi Hartman, the son of Richmond activist Ethel Dotson, the building's former owner, for whom South Street was renamed in 2021.

The group explored a variety of ideas, including the vision of turning the property into a cultural center dedicated to telling the history of the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood.

Councilmember Robinson told Grandview it was a great meeting with a good group of people.

"We had about 20 people, and Ethel's son, who was living in the house next door, which was also red-tagged, was also there. He lost all of his things in the fire," Robinson said. "All the research he had been doing about the history was lost in the fire."

Robinson also said that one idea for the property could be to link it to the city's labor history by creating a labor center focused on that narrative.

"We sort of landed on the idea that it could be a labor center with a pocket park; there really aren't any parks in the neighborhood. I've looked into the permitting process, and it wouldn't be difficult," Robinson said.

But before any of those plans can move forward, there's the matter of cleaning up garbage and debris dumped on the property, along with the remains of the burned structure. Robinson said the project would be expensive and that Hartman, who inherited the building from his mother, didn't have the funds to pay for the extensive cleanup.

Pullman neighborhood’s historic International Hotel now hosts old mattresses, garbage

One of Richmond’s important historical resources, destroyed in a massive fire earlier this year, has become a dumping ground for old mattresses and assorted garbage. The Pullman Neighborhood’s International Hotel burned down last April in a fire intense enough to quickly reduce the structure to a scorched frame

Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila

Robinson said that she has already been in contact with Congressman John Garamendi and Assembly Members Nancy Skinner and Buffy Wicks, and is seeking additional resources and help with cleaning the site. However, Robinson underscored the importance of keeping the property privately owned and not managed by a government agency.

"It's important that the project not be taken out of the hands of the neighborhood or Hartman; we don't want to strip him of ownership," Robinson said. "We want to honor the land and make sure it's not taken over by government entities."

Robinson also made it clear that this is not her project but an undertaking of the Pullman neighborhood, and that she is working to support their efforts.

Writing on social media, Richmond Police Crime Prevention Manager Michelle Millam said the International Hotel is an important historic resource and needs to be honored.

I am a Richmond resident. My grandparents came to Richmond in the 1950’s. When I was a college student and a young feild representative for the California State Assembly, I met Ethel Dotson. She called me up and was delighted to hear that I was from Richmond. We set up a meeting. Ms. Dotson pulled out a book with pictures of the international hotel where she resided. Ethel told me she was looking for a way to get the hotel declared as a state historical landmark. It had fallen into disrepair when I later visited her, and had mold issues. Ethel was a fearless environmental justice advocate. She advocated at numerous city council meetings to preserve and honor the legacy of the hotel until her death from cancer. More recently, I received a call from another esteemed Richmond figure, Ms. Naomi Williams, urging collaboration between Councilmember Robinson, the Pullman Neighborhood Council, and the community to honor and preserve the legacy of the International Hotel as an integral part of our Black history and Richmond's broader historical tapestry.Often, individuals like Ethel Dotson Naomi Williams, the Myrtle Braxtons, the Duane Chapmans of the world stand alone as trailblazers, lighting the way for others to follow, while others bask in the glory of the shine of their battles. They battled for the changes that others take credit for. They are the keepers of our history. Their dedication and passion for the community deserve our utmost respect and admiration. It also commands our attention. It is with this spirit that I implore our local leadership to embrace a vision that honors the historic significance of the International Hotel.

The small 20-room hotel, located at 396 Ethel Dotson South Street, was built more than a hundred years ago and provided lodging for Black Pullman Porters while their train cars were being serviced at the nearby Pullman shops.

Standing about a half block away from the Pullman Hotel, the International Hotel was of historical significance not only for the neighborhood that bears its name, but also the city, representing an era of industrialization and the growth of Richmond.

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