I think the original Hillman Hotel information was lost in all the chat. Here is the information online, if it hasn't already been published: _http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=any&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISO ROOT=/p4017coll6&CISOBOX1=Hotel_ (http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=any&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=/p4017coll6&CISOBOX1=Hotel) It says the Hillman was at 312-322 North 9th Street. So that was definitely not the Hillman where your grandmother died. That's a really interesting page, with information about several hotels in downtown Birmingham and a letter describing a trip in Alabama. There are a number of references to black businesses there too. There is a description of a hotel at East Lake. Rae Williams www.grannyandpopacaldwell.com