The Lawson Family

Three Generations of Purposeful Work

From Green Book jazz venues in 1940s Harrisburg to civic trailblazing to the founding of Apex Financial Management in 2006, the Lawson family legacy is one of building businesses that become part of their communities.

1940s — James W. Lawson Sr.1960s — Stanley R. Lawson Sr.2000s — Richard Lawson

Vintage black-and-white photo of eight people behind a counter with stacked beer boxes

1940s: The Foundation

The Foundation of the Lawson Legacy

What began as a single entertainment venue in Harrisburg grew into a network of hotels, retail businesses, and performance spaces that shaped Central Pennsylvania's African American business community for decades.

1940sFirst Generation — Business Foundations

James W. Lawson Sr.

1914 – 1998

On-Site Operations

James W. Lawson, Sr. was a hands-on operator who managed staffing, service, and customer experience across every hotel, lounge, and retail venue he opened. He didn't just run businesses, he built community around them.

Group seated inside Lawson's Palace in suits — a Green Book venue

Real Estate Holdings

Pictured in front of the Wishing Well Motel, Lawson owned and managed a diverse portfolio, including Lawsons Hotel, Lawson's Palace, Wishing Well Motel, Hudson's Hotel, Lester's Café, and Low Price Furniture.

Cultural Legacy

James became an important cultural luminary within Central Pennsylvania's African American business and entertainment community. He was inducted into the Central PA Friends of Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995.

Lawson's Palace: A Platform for National Talent

James W. Lawson Sr. standing in front of the Wishing Well Motel

A Green Book Venue

Located at 1306 N. 7th Street, Lawson's Palace was a 300-seat national performance venue listed in the Green Book and recognized across African American travel and entertainment publications throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. It hosted iconic musicians during the height of segregation, offering a dignified stage when few existed.

Legacy Performances at Lawson's Palace

Featured performers included jazz legend Duke Ellington, Nat "King" Cole's brother Freddy Cole, Grammy award-winning artists like Laverne Baker and Ruth Brown, and influential jazz and rhythm and blues musicians such as Ben Webster, Milt Buckner, Johnny Moore and His Three Blazers, Lonnie Johnson, Jimmy Preston, Shirley Scott, Tiny Grimes, Vi Burnside, Big John Greer, and Tiny Davis. Lawson's Palace became a known stop on the Chitlin' Circuit, a trusted part of a larger entertainment economy that shaped American jazz, soul, and R&B.

Newspaper ad: Opening Thursday Nite — Nat King Cole's Brother Freddy Cole and His Combo at Lawson's Palace, 1306 N. Seventh St.

Newspaper ad: Opening Monday August 20 — Wynonie Harris at Lawson's Palace, 1306 N. 7th St.

Wynonie Harris: Good Rockin' Tonight

In the early 1950s, Wynonie Harris was one of many nationally recognized performers who appeared live at Lawson's Palace. These performances were part of a broader legacy of hospitality and entertainment that shaped the family's role in the local business community. Today, Harris's music, including "Grandma Plays the Numbers" and "Bloodshot Eyes," still plays at the Carlisle Antique Mall, a subtle nod to the past that enriches the venue's present-day character.

Lawson's Hotel: Management, Hospitality & Music

Lawson's Hotel ad — Butch Cornell Organ Trio, 1602 N. Seventh Street, Harrisburg PA

Harrisburg Music & Hospitality

Lawson's Hotel at 1602 N. 7th Street became part of the Lawson family's broader hospitality and entertainment operations in Harrisburg. Alongside lodging and live entertainment, James W. Lawson Sr. became involved in supporting and managing regional musical acts, including the regional recording group Sampson & Delilah, whose first performances were associated with Lawson properties during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Regional Music Expansion

By the mid-1970s, Sampson & Delilah had expanded beyond their Harrisburg roots into the broader Pennsylvania soul and funk circuit. Performing as "Sampson & Delilah & The Boss Six," the group released "Living In A World Of Trouble" in 1974 on King James Records while continuing appearances at Lawson's Hotel. Historical accounts describe the group opening for nationally known acts including The Commodores and Sister Sledge.

Sampson & Delilah Boss Six — Living in a World of Trouble, Lawson's Hotel Harrisburg

1960sSecond Generation — Civic Leadership & Business

Stanley R. Lawson Sr.

1941 – 2025

Second Generation: Civic Leadership & Business

Stan Lawson was a civic pioneer and advocate for economic opportunity who broke racial and political barriers throughout Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania. A U.S. Navy veteran and lifelong Republican, he served in leadership roles across government, labor, and community organizations while helping create opportunities for future generations of public servants.

Stan Lawson poses at the bar in his renovated night spot — Patriot-News, February 23, 1993

Civic Leadership

Lawson held leadership roles in city and county government, becoming the first African American to serve in multiple positions. His public service reflected a commitment to economic opportunity, community development, and breaking institutional barriers.

Stan Lawson ribbon cutting ceremony with family

Business Operations

Stan Lawson operated a rental portfolio and businesses across retail and hospitality. This included Lawson's Grocery and Lawson's Palace. His approach focused on consistent cash flow, disciplined execution, and long-term business stability.

A Legacy of Leadership

Stanley R. Lawson: Civic Leader & Trailblazer

Historic Firsts & Leadership Legacy

—First African American elected to Harrisburg City Council (1969)
—First African American Vice President of Harrisburg City Council
—First African American Chairman of the Dauphin County Republican Committee
—First African American President of the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners
—First African American State President of AFSCME Council 13
—Longest-Serving NAACP President in Pennsylvania

Beyond public office, Stan worked for the Harrisburg School District, served as a church deacon, and participated in numerous regional boards and civic organizations. His leadership extended beyond politics into mentorship, labor advocacy, faith, and long-term community service across Central Pennsylvania for 56 continuous years.

Stan Lawson wearing a Lawson campaign button, leaning over a table at the 1969 Harrisburg City Council election

Stan Lawson, 1969
Historic press photo.

Business Operations

Stan Lawson's Palace

Lawson's was one of Harrisburg's largest African American-owned nightlife venues. The 35,000 sq ft venue featured multiple bars, private rooms, a gaming area, commercial kitchen, DJ booth, dance spaces, large deck, and parking area.

Lawson's Grocery

Lawson's Grocery served the Edgemont neighborhood with deli service, hot food, and everyday essentials. Operated as a community-centered family business, Lawson built his home down the street and raised his family there.

2000sThird Generation — Apex Financial Management

Richard Lawson

2006 – Present

Built Through Experience

As a third-generation Lawson entrepreneur, Richard Lawson carries forward more than 80 years of family business history through a disciplined approach to real estate ownership, redevelopment, and operations. What was passed down was not wealth, but perspective, work ethic, and a long-term commitment to building enduring businesses.

Rather than inheriting a portfolio, he built one through hands-on experience in acquisition, repositioning, branding, operational development, and long-term asset management. His work has spanned housing, self-storage, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use commercial property, with a focus on transforming overlooked real estate into stable, productive community assets.

Beyond business, his civic leadership includes prior service on the Executive Board of the Harrisburg Fair Housing Council, a nonprofit that has supported thousands of individuals and families through homeownership education and down-payment assistance. He also served as Treasurer of the local NAACP chapter and remains a life member.

Continuing the Lawson Legacy

Operational Evolution

Apex represents the evolution of generations of hands-on business ownership into a centralized management company focused on long-term asset stewardship and scalable real estate operations. Earlier generations operated hotels, entertainment venues, retail businesses, and real estate directly. Over time, that operational experience evolved into a broader management platform overseeing multiple operating entities and asset classes across Pennsylvania.

Rather than operating each business independently, Apex centralizes administrative oversight, financial management, maintenance coordination, leasing, branding, and operational systems across the portfolio. This structure allows smaller operating entities to function with a level of infrastructure and support that would often be difficult to sustain independently while maintaining hands-on involvement at the property level.

Continuing the Conversation

We Welcome Conversations with Lenders, Brokers, Municipalities & Nonprofits

The Lawson legacy is one of long-term relationships and community investment. If you have a property, a project, or a partnership in mind, reach out.

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