SHSMO Springfield Research Center

Listen to this month's episode here: https://www.ksmu.org/show/archives/2026-04-27/the-colonial-hotel

The State Historical Society of Missouri archivist Haley Frizzle-Green shares the story of the building that helped make Springfield the Birthplace of Route 66.

"Colored directories," like this one from a century ago, helped Black communities safely navigate segregated cities, and provided visibility for Black professionals in an era of discrimination. Pictured is the Colored Directory for Columbia, Missouri published in May of 1927. The businesses who placed ads in this directory made it possible for it to be distributed to the Black community free of charge. The introduction states, "Their direct ad to you reflects their faith in the colored men's trade and their desire for a share of your business."
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"Colored Directory, Columbia MO 1927," Boone County Missouri Black Archives Collection, (C4057). View the rest of the digitized directory here: https://tinyurl.com/ColoredDirectorySHSMO
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