From the 1880s through the Civil Rights Movement, the Holbrook-Ross neighborhood in Danville served as the first neighborhood for black professionals and families during a time when they were not always welcome in other spaces around town.
In the 1880s, Holbrook and Ross streets were created from the estate of Thomas B. Doe and separated into lots. By 1900, black professionals began building their homes in the community along Holbrook and Ross, as well as on Maury, John, Doe, and Gay streets, with help from their communities, each putting their own personal touches on their homes.
In a neighborhood with architectural styles ranging from Queen Anne to craftsman stood the homes of doctors, dentists, lawyers and educators. There were three churches, two funeral homes, a mini golf course, a community center, a beauty shop, grocery stores and a kindergarten school. Westmoreland Elementary School was located just down the street, as was Langston High School until 1963.