Inside the effort to preserve historic Freedmen’s Town
Kennedi Robinson, Texas Southern University
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From left to right: Gladys House, Charonda Johnson and Zion Escobar. (TSU)
Going from just a settlement to becoming the “Black Wall Street” of Houston, Freedmen’s Town stands as the “Mother Ward” of the city in the Fourth Ward community. The historic hometown ensures that the stories and heritage of our ancestors are never dismissed.
When the emancipation of slaves finally occurred in Texas in 1865, the majority of the freed slaves traveled long and far on San Felipe Road and settled in Freedmen’s Town. Many sought the idea of a fresh start to establish themselves and prosper in a new area.