Sun-n-Sand Named to America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List

Each year, America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places sheds light on important examples of our nation’s heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage. More than 300 places have been listed in its 33-year history, and in that time, fewer than 5 percent of listed sites have been lost.

The 2020 list includes a diverse mix of historic places nationwide that highlight many of the cultures, stories, and experiences—including seven sites with significant connections to women’s history—that help tell the full American story.

But with threats ranging from neglect to natural disasters to inappropriate development, these special places are at serious risk.

The Sun-n-Sand Motor Hotel:

A Midcentury Modern building in the heart of downtown Jackson near the State Capitol, the Sun-n-Sand Motor Hotel was once the home away from home for Mississippi legislators as well as a gathering place for civil rights activists—most notably the multi-racial, women-led initiative “Wednesdays in Mississippi.”

The building, which features metal screens, large expanses of glass, and a colorful sign, has sat vacant and deteriorating for nearly two decades. The State of Mississippi purchased the Sun-n-Sand in 2019 and plans to demolish it for a parking lot, but preservationists are advocating for reuse, emphasizing the economic benefits of rehabilitation.