Historic E.F. Young Hotel being torn down this week.

Meridian MS - After being closed for over a year due to a “collapse zone warning”, the historic E.F. Young Hotel has begun being torn down.

“Just hurts the heart of people in the neighborhood and everything to see it torn down.” - Terry Nebith

Built in 1940, The E. F. Young jr. Hotel was the second largest black-owned and operated hotel in the country. It was also a safe and comfortable place for freedom riders during the Civil Rights Movement.

Meridian resident Herman Bouldin wishes there was a way to save the historic hotel. “They should’ve remodeled that place.”

Timothy foy of Meridian feels saddened to see the hotel go. “It’s just a memory loss. You can’t get it back because it’s too late.”

The Young Family still owns the land, but as of right now, they have not made any plans known public about future use of the land.