Jackson Ward has been known by several names. The birthplace of Black Capitalism, ‘The Wall Street of the South’, and the ‘Harlem of the South’ come to mind. Being designated as a ‘National Historic Landmark’ makes all these names grow in importance because of their historical significance.
The forming of Jackson Ward
In 1769 William Byrd III, the owner of most of Richmond at that time decided to have a land lottery. He sub-divided the area that is now the present day location of the ward into 100 acre lots to be used as prizes.
As the properties were located outside the developed areas of the city, Byrd was sure he would see substantial growth take place. Many families took advantage of the lottery, and over the years the area grew as Richmond grew toward the area.
In the early 1800’s, the ward was again sub-divided by some of the families living there and more homes and businesses sprang up. These lots were bought by free blacks, immigrants, artisans and businessmen.
Post Civil War Jackson Ward
At the end of the Civil War, many more free blacks and freedmen came to the ward, setting up ‘black’ businesses that catered to the black population. Churches, grocery stores, barber shops and dry goods stores added to the now vibrant community.
As the years passed, life in Jackson Ward went on. There soon emerged a number of firsts for the community and Black Virginians too. Virginia history gives us John Mitchell, Jr., first Black editor of a newspaper, ‘The Richmond Planet’.
There is Maggie L. Walker, the first woman to charter and serve as president of an American bank. Consolidated Bank & Trust is the oldest surviving black-operated bank in the United States today,
Jackson Ward was a center for entertainment in the south. The ‘Hippidrome’ was the stage for many great entertainers in it’s time. Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson and Lena Horne, to name a few, graced the stage in the ward.
Jackson Ward actually began to decline in the 1950’s. One reason was the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. It almost cut the ward in half. Segregation also helped in it’s decline. Blacks found that they were not restricted in where they had to live, and many moved out of the neighborhood.
Empty buildings and houses suffered and deteriorated over the years. Thankfully, renovation efforts have started reversing the decline and a vibrancy is again becoming evident. Many historic homes have been put on the National Historic Registry, and Jackson Ward is again alive.