Galveston's Black Business District
Beginning in the late 1800s, the area west of 25th St. and North Broadway was the center of Galveston‘s Black business district with restaurants, theaters, insurance companies, and grocery stores, most owned, operated, and built by black citizens of Galveston. Names like Gus Allen, TD Armstrong, Albert Feas, “Neat” and Mary James, and Maggie Fisher were Staples among the community as they operated some of Galveston‘s most famous businesses and restaurants. In times of racial segregation, many businesses and services in Galveston’s Central Business District did not welcome people of color. However, West of Rosenberg Avenue was open for business. This district did not only serve residents of Galveston but sailors from all over the world and visitors from all over the United States. Keep in mind there in the times of Galveston’s shipping prowess. There were sailors from all over the world visiting Galveston. They were from countries like India, The Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, you name it, and not everyone was welcome in Galveston‘s central business district. As people would travel to Galveston for business or pleasure, many African-Americans utilized the Green Book. This resource provided addresses to welcoming businesses all over the United States. Galveston claims at least 12 businesses listed in the green book, most of them found in Galveston‘s Black Business District. As you can see, very little of this district remains today. Although very few of the homes and buildings remain, we cannot forget the importance and history of perseverance and self-sustainability

Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
The Green Book in Galveston
African American Historic Places in Galveston
Lost Restaurants of Galveston’s African American Community
Black Galveston
African-American History Resources: Reconstruction to the Present
1894  Arial view of this area | Water Works tower
List of Black Newspapers in Galveston

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