West Ninth Street facts for kids
West Ninth Street was once a very important area in West Little Rock, Arkansas. Even though the street itself doesn't exist anymore, its rich history is still remembered and studied today. It was a special place, especially for the African American community.
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What Was West Ninth Street?
West Ninth Street was first called West Hazel Street until 1870. It became a famous and lively African American community in Little Rock. When soldiers took control of Little Rock in 1863, they started building homes for freed slaves on West Hazel Street.
By the 1920s, West Ninth Street was known for its exciting community. People even called it a "Southern mecca for entertainment." Many businesses and groups for African Americans were located here. It was like a "city within a city" because it had so much going on.
Important Buildings on West Ninth Street
West Ninth Street had two very important buildings that were key to its lively nightlife.
- Taborian Hall: This was one of the first and most popular dance halls on the street. It was a place where people could gather and have fun.
- Mosaic Templars Headquarters: Built around 1918, this was a special club for African Americans. It was very popular, especially for men who owned businesses. After the street was torn down, this building was saved. A company called Arkansas Flag and Banner bought it, and the owner, Robert McCoy, helped fix up its famous Dreamland Ballroom.
How Urban Renewal Changed West Ninth Street
The Federal Housing Act of 1949, signed by President Truman, started big city changes called "urban renewal" in Little Rock. City planners had different ideas. Some wanted to make it easier for people to drive from their homes in the suburbs to their jobs downtown. Others wanted to make the downtown area better and stop cities from spreading out too much.
In the 1940s, Little Rock planners began talking about building a major highway. This highway would connect the east and west sides of the city. Then, in 1956, President Eisenhower's Federal Highway Act encouraged building Interstate 30 (I-30). This highway later became part of a bigger project called Interstate 630 in the 1960s.
West Ninth Street Declared "Blighted"
After these new laws, the Little Rock Housing Authority (LRHA) looked at West Ninth Street. In 1958, they said West Ninth Street was a "blighted area." This meant they thought it needed big improvements because of old buildings and traffic problems.
The LRHA decided to tear down West Ninth Street. They used something called "eminent domain." This allowed the government to buy private land for public use, even if the owners didn't want to sell. Residents were forced to sell their homes at a set price or be evicted. This caused more unfair treatment in Little Rock.
What Happened After West Ninth Street Was Demolished?
Tearing down West Ninth Street made racial problems worse. It also made Jim Crow Laws stronger. These laws enforced segregation and discrimination. People who lived on West Ninth Street were forced to move to the edges of Little Rock. This meant they had to travel much farther to get to work, shops, and other services.
This happened partly because Interstate 630, now called Wilbur D. Mills Freeway, was finished in the early 1960s. Even though Interstate 630 connects parts of Little Rock, it also divided the city. It made the separation between different parts of the city even clearer.
Like many other urban renewal projects, tearing down West Ninth Street led to less land being used in the area. A park near the highway is named Ninth Street Park. However, it doesn't have any special signs or memorials to remember the historic street that was torn down.
Remembering West Ninth Street Today
Even though West Ninth Street is gone, people remember it. Researchers at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and the Central Arkansas Library System are working to preserve its history. One important project is called the "Lost West Ninth Street Project." It shows "before and after" pictures of the area using Google Earth. While local groups are studying West Ninth Street, the state government has not started any projects to remember the street.
