Whitman Hotel
Outside view of the Whitman Hotel c. 1940s, courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives 
Whitman Hotel outside view from today as of August 2022, courtesy of Google Maps 
1962 postcard depicting the Whitman Hotel's decorated Fountain Room and Lounge as well as the coffee shop 
1962 postcard depicting an outside view of the Whitman Hotel as well as an example of one of the rooms offered inside 
The second page of a Long Island Press article published on March 16, 1927 discusses the names of travelers staying at the Whitman Hotel 
The fourth page of a Long Island Press article published on September 6, 1927 discussing the names of travelers returning to their places in the Whitman Hotel. These travelers were returning from locations such as Europe, Canada, and upstate New York 
Page 23 of a New York Times article published on May 18, 1937 discussing the death of placing judge, Edward C. Smith. Mr. Smith was a white man residing in the Whitman Hotel and judged at the nearby Belmont Racetrack 
Page 95 of a New York Times article published on October 21, 1964 discussing a meeting of business plans for the opening of a new retail center to be built in Jamaica. This meeting was hosted at the Whitman Hotel with about 100 businessmen in attendance 
Page 24 of a Long Island Star Journal article displaying numerous employment opportunities. The interviews for said jobs were conducted at the Whitman Hotel 
Page 217 of a New York Times article published on March 22, 1964 discussing a luncheon event hosted at the Whitman Hotel that included nearly 300 Queens businessmen as well as the New York Mets baseball team of that year Known Name(s)
Whitman Hotel
Address
160-11 89th Ave. Jamaica, NY 11432
Establishment Type(s)
Hotel
Description
The Whitman Hotel, situated at the intersection of 160th Street and 89th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, New York, was originally built in 1927. By the 1960s, the seven-story, red brick hotel offered 144 rooms, each equipped with a private bath, television, and air conditioning. Guests would enter through the doors on the front side of the building facing out to 89th Avenue. Once inside, guests could enjoy meals in the elegantly decorated Fountain Room and Lounge or stop by the popular coffee shop for hot drinks and snacks. Listed in the Green Book from 1963 to 1966, the hotel was recognized as a welcoming destination for white and African-American travelers, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
The building itself has a rectangular shape and is equipped with a belt course just above the sixth story that wraps around the entire structure. The sides of the building that face out onto 160th Street and 89th Avenue have six rows of ten replacement windows that all face out onto the streets. It is unclear what the windows look like on the rear sides of the building, as photographic evidence makes it difficult to show these sides. The ground level differs in appearance from the rest of the building, as the brick has been painted red.
Detailed History
Based on the information found in several newspaper sources, the Whitman Hotel served as a place of rest and repose for individuals in the early 20th century, specifically for people needing a place to stay after a vacation or trip. News sources provide more context as to where these people were traveling from, primarily vacation destinations such as distant locations in Europe but also places in upstate New York and Canada. Evidence from a 1937 New York Times article proves that the hotel served and invited white guests. It is unclear if the site permitted African-Americans to stay there prior to the Green Book listings. The article, written not long after the Whitman’s opening, notes a white man by the name of Edward C. Smith had passed away at his residence in the Whitman. Mr. Smith was a placing judge at the nearby Belmont Racetrack for horse racing.
News sources mention several business plans and meetings taking place at the Whitman Hotel. Additional printed sources such as postcards depict how the Whitman Hotel provided a satisfying and comfortable place to stay for visitors as well as a place to conduct business meetings. A 1964 New York Times article discusses a $5.5 million plan to develop a shopping and retail center in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. This initiative was officially announced at a luncheon event hosted at the Whitman Hotel with about 100 businessmen.
Furthermore, it appears the hotel invited fellow members of the community to seek employment opportunities, as one of the newspaper sources illustrates a few advertisements for jobs with time slots for interviews taking place at the Whitman Hotel. The hotel also was used as a space to promote local community events such as the recognition of the local baseball team, in this case the New York Mets. In a 1964 New York Times article, the Whitman Hotel was cited as the place where a luncheon of nearly 300 Queens businessmen presented the Mets team with an honorary plaque. It is important to note that at this time, the Mets did have an integrated roster of players, and the Whitman Hotel was listed in the Green Book in the same year. This suggests that at this time, the Whitman Hotel was likely an integrated site in Jamaica.
Following the 1960s, tax records indicate the building has changed ownership numerous times. Today, the building still stands. It is an adult care facility named Westhab owned by Hillside Avenue Development LLC.
