West Ninth Street business district is rich in history
By: Arkansas Today
Updated: February 7, 2013
Arkansas Historic Preservation Society's February segment topic is the W. 9th Street business district.
Julie McVey and Jennelle Primm from Mosaic Templars Cultural Center talk about the area's rich history.
Little Rock's W. 9th Street emerged as the economic and social center of Little Rock's African American community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In a segregated economy, the black-owned businesses in the district were a source of pride, security and independence for the community.
Julie McVey and Jennelle Primm from Mosaic Templars Cultural Center talk about the area's rich history.
Little Rock's W. 9th Street emerged as the economic and social center of Little Rock's African American community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In a segregated economy, the black-owned businesses in the district were a source of pride, security and independence for the community.
Jim Crow kept services elsewhere unequal. Barbershops, restaurants, hotels, undertakers and jewelers lined W. 9th Street. African American physicians and pharmacists such as Drs. William J.E. Bruce, William O. Foster and Frank B. Coffin built their offices in this area.
The Great Depression caused businesses to decline, but World War II brought renewed growth and activity in
the 1940s and 1950s. Business again declined in the 1960s as urban renewal and
the construction of housing projects and highways changed the city's
landscape.
For the full interview watch the video above.
Dr.
Sue Hubbard is an award winning pediatrician and medical editor for
www.kidsdr.com. She is a native of Washington, D.C. who travelled south
to attend the University of Texas at Austin and never left. 
