The Carver Inn, a Neptune Landmark, Gets a New Look
Posted by Webmaster on 06/10/08

Courtesy of The Coaster

By DON STINE

The site of the old Carver Hotel in Neptune now has 14 apartments for low-income adults and seniors while still preserving the history of one of the most famous structures in the area’s African-American Community.

Opening in the early 1900s, the Carver Hotel, located on the Asbury Park and Neptune border, served as a premiere accommodation for black visitors to the area during the 20th century.

Many famous performers stayed at the Carver Hotel as it was one of the only hotels catering to the black community. Famous people staying at the Carver include Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Harry Belafonte, Ozzie Davis, Thurgood Marshall, Walter Fry, Lena Horne, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and Lionel Hampton.

Now converted into the Carver Inn Apartments, at 312 Myrtle Avenue, the new structure has tried to preserve the façade and history of the hotel, which was razed several years ago after a fire and a long period of neglect.

“(The new structure) maintains the history of the old hotel and allows us an opportunity to move forward but still raise awareness about the building and that era of elegance and musical history,” said Gwendolyn Love, director of administration with the Affordable Housing Alliance, which oversaw the project.

“The new exterior very much replicates the old hotel,” she said.

Neptune resident Virginia Brown said she remembers going to the Carver frequently during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

“It was known for its bar and dining area and it had wonderful steaks. The atmosphere was beautiful and elegant with fine linens and china. There used to be tea parties and fashion shows on the lawn,” she said.

Brown, who is 72, said she thinks it’s wonderful that the history of the hotel is being preserved.

“This is the Carver. This was the place to be. At least they didn’t turn it into a parking lot and restored it back to a useful purpose. I’m glad to see its memory live on,” she said.

Hortense Knuckle Reed, whose father William Knuckle was co-owner of the hotel, said the hotel was one of the only ones in the area where African-Americans could stay.

“They came from out of town. They came from all over the place to stay here. My father would be very pleased about this project,” she said.