Starksville Guest House

The Starksville Guest House was a tourist guest house for African Americans in the mid-1900s. The guest house was advertised in The Green Book from 1954-1957 and 1959-1967. The Starksville Guest House, or Stark’s Villa, was located at 809 E. Bragg Street in Raleigh, NC.¹

Starksville Guest House was managed by Helen Olivia Starks. The child of Abraham Starks and Delia Jones, Helen was born on March 30, 1889 in Maryland. Later residing at 809 E. Bragg Street, Helen's occupation was in beauty. In 1936, Helen created the Starks Beauty School in Raleigh, NC. It was located on S. Pearson Street.² 

Helen was a pioneer in the beauty world. Her beauty school was one of the most successful schools in the state of North Carolina. Helen also founded the North Carolina State Beauticians and Cosmetologists Association in 1939. Her success in the beauty world led Helen to speak at many conferences and forums on beauty and to represent black business women as a member of Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority and Fraternity Incorporated.³

In 1954, Helen opened up her home to travelers, which created the Starks Villa Guest House. Helen, along with her sister, Aretha Starks, managed Starks Villa for ten years. Starks Villa not only housed many travelers but also hosted multiple functions, such as a hosted stag luncheon for Dr. Marshall L. Shepard by Mr. C.A. (Doll) Haywood, and a beauticians fellowship held by the Delta Chi Eta Psi Tau Mu chapter of Alpha Chi Phi Omega sorority. Due to the success of the guest house, Helen Starks was a member of the NHA (National Hotel Association, Inc., Region 3) along with Beadie Lucille Griswold of Deluxe Hotel in Raleigh. Known as one of the best hotels in Raleigh, in 1955, Starks was one of two hotels given the “Guest House of the Year” award. On March 31, 1964, the Starks Villa guest house announced closing its services to the public.⁴

Helen died on April 1, 1974, in Raleigh, NC. It is noted that she had cancer for 10 years before passing. Helen Starks is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery.Her burial place is listed under “Notable Burial Plots and Monuments” at Mt. Hope Cemetery.⁵ 

After her death, Helen's sister Aretha took ownership of the building.⁶
 

Essay by Miranda Clinton, 2019

Notes

1. Victor Green, 1954 Green Book, 53; Green, 1955 Green Book, 54; Victor Green, 1956 Green Book, 46; Green, 1957 Green Book, 47; Green, 1959 Green Book, 52; Alma D. Green, 1960 Green Book, 73; Green, 1961 Green Book, 69; Green, 1962 Green Book, 74; Green, 1963-1964 Green Book, 58; Green, 1966-1967 Green Book, 58. 
2. “Helen Starks Death Certificate,” FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9R9-WW9B-8?i=2149, accessed June 27, 2019;  “By State Cosmetologist: Mrs. Starks Honored.” The Carolinian. May 2, 1964. Page 1, North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn80008926/1964-05-02/ed-1/seq-1/#….
3. “Mrs. Helen Starks Honored,” The Carolinian, May 2, 1964, page 1, North Carolina, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn80008926/1964-05-02/ed-1/seq-1/#…, accessed October 30, 2019; “Alpha Chi Pi Omega Has Successful Meet at Jack Tar Hotel,” The Carolinian, December 24, 1966, page 7, North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83045120/1966-12-24/ed-1/seq-7/#…, accessed November 22, 2019.
4. “Dr. Shepard Luncheon Guest of C.A. Haywood,” The Carolinian, May 17, 1958, page 10, North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn80008926/1958-05-17/ed-1/seq-10/, accessed September 5, 2019;  “Alpha Chi Pi Omega Has Successful Meet at Jack Tar Hotel,” The Carolinian, December 24, 1966, page 7.  North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83045120/1966-12-24/ed-1/seq-7/#…, accessed November 22, 2019; “National Hotel Group Honors 2 Raleigh Women,” The Carolinian, October 29, 1955 Page 1, North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn80008926/1955-10-29/ed-1/seq-1/#…, accessed October 30, 2019; "Notice of Closing," The Carolinian, April 4, 1964, page 11, North Carolina Newspapers, DigitalNC, http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn80008926/1964-04-04/ed-1/seq-11/…, accessed November 22, 2019.
5. “Helen Starks Death Certificate,” FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9R9-WW9B-8?i=2149, accessed June 27, 2019;  “Mt. Hope Cemetery Map and Walking Tour.” Mt. Hope Cemetery. http://rccpreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Mt-Hope-Cemetery-….

Did you know?

• From 1954-1955, this entry was listed as “Starksville Guest House, 809 E. Bragg St.” on two lines, bold, and bigger font under “Tourist Homes” in Raleigh.