Robinson Hotel

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The historic Robinson Hotel is located in the former mining town of Julian, California, United States. It was one of the first businesses in San Diego County to be owned and operated by African-Americans.

[edit] History

Albert Robinson and Margaret Tull Robinson started, in the 1890's, a business originally entitled the "Robinson Restaurant and Bakery." This business quickly became popular during the relatively brief gold rush that Julian experienced. Their hotel, which is still in operation under a different name, is the oldest continuing operating hotel in southern California. The original hotel was constructed in 1897, with the bakery-restaurant structure having been razed to make room for the hotel. During the construction process, Albert planted cedar and locust trees around the hotel, which survive to the present day.

The hotel has stayed in business for over a hundred years and has repeatedly been expanded and improved, with air conditioning being a major new improvement having been added in the 21st Century. The building is modernly known as the Julian Gold Rush Hotel.

Albert was a former slave who came to Julian with his former slave owner. During the gold rush days of Julian, most of San Diego County's African-Americans lived in remote Julian, rather than the city of San Diego. Another influential black pioneer of the time, and a friend of the Robinson's, was America Newton.

Albert and Margaret met in Julian, Albert being employed at the time as a cook. They were married in the late 1880's. Albert died on June 10, 1915. Margaret sold the hotel in 1921.

The hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.