The Motel That Protected Black Travelers | Asheville History
Rabbit’s Motel in Asheville wasn’t just a place to stay.
Opened in 1947 by Fred “Rabbit” Simpson during segregation, it provided safety for Black travelers when many doors were closed.
After Simpson, Lou Ella Byrd carried the legacy — running the restaurant for decades until it closed in 2003.
While the restaurant has not reopened, the motel buildings were restored and today live on as Soundspace, a recording studio.
This space existed because it had to — offering protection and dignity when Black travelers were not welcome elsewhere.
Educational Purposes Only
📚 Sources:
Black Cultural Heritage Trail of Asheville — The Evolution of Asheville’s Rabbit’s Motel and Restaurant
https://bcht.exploreasheville.com/article/the-evolution-of-ashevilles-rabbits-motel-and-restaurant
Saving Places — A New Song for Rabbit’s Motel
https://savingplaces.org/stories/a-new-song-for-rabbits-motel
AVL Today — Soundspace Asheville and the history of Rabbit’s Motel
https://avltoday.6amcity.com/soundspace-asheville-rabbits-motel
Soundspace AVL — History of Rabbit’s
https://www.soundspaceavl.com/history
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