Old Claiborne Avenue was lined with black-owned stores that provided most of the things black New Orleanians needed before they were allowed to shop on Canal Street and other parts of the city.
There was a pharmacy, grocery store, shops, funeral home, insurance company, barber shop, photography studio, and theater. And more than 500 oak trees towered over both sides of the neutral strip, known as Main Street in Black New Orleans from the 1830s to the 1970s.
But when construction began on Interstate 10, trees were uprooted to make way for the highway. Many residents and most of the businesses that once operated there were also forced to leave.
“For those of us who were here, it was a tragic event,” said Raynard Sanders, historian and executive director of the Claiborne Avenue History Project. “They were just chopping down an oak tree as I was on my way to school. We had no warning.”
New Orleans City Councilman JP Morrell called the destruction of old Claiborne Avenue, its oak trees and its businesses a “socioeconomic massacre.”
About 60 people gathered at St. Bernard’s Autocrat Pleasure and Social Club on Saturday to walk, march and dance to Claiborne in double file with the Treme Sidewalk Steppers to celebrate the new The installation of the historical marker was celebrated. Black New Orleans businesses, culture, and lives lost to freeway construction.
The sign, installed just before 6 a.m. Saturday, was run by descendants of Homer Plessy and John Howard Ferguson, participants in the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case that legalized racial discrimination in the United States. This is a project of the Plessy Ferguson Initiative.
The effort partnered with community organizations Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation and Washington, D.C.-based Common Ground USA to install markers under the Claiborne overpass.
“The significance of this marker is to commemorate the survival of the businesses, beautiful trees, and beautiful people that flourished in this area before the bridge was built, and the people who still gather proudly under the bridge.” Keith Pressey said. Descendant of Homer Plessy.
He added that he hopes the story of old Claiborne Avenue will inspire people to “bring back the spirit of community, with the idea of a village where everyone cares for everyone.”
Joan Rose, current president of the Claiborne Avenue Merchants and Business Association, comes from a family of business owners who owned businesses along Claiborne before the interstate.
The Rose family’s businesses included a funeral home, insurance company, and transportation company. These businesses have operated in and around Claiborne for over 140 years. She said she still remembers how she felt when she looked outside and saw Claiborne’s oak trees stripped.
“When I was a little girl, living in the 1700 block of Claiborne Avenue, I remember looking out my window one day and literally crying because the oak tree was gone.” she said. “We can’t bring it all back, but…I’m so happy that we’re recognizing that and trying to do something about the spirit of what was once in Claiborne.”
Rose said he was proud to see the sign, but encouraged those who want to celebrate Claiborne’s history to also look to the future by supporting the Black-owned businesses that still exist. .
“Look for businesses that are currently active and join them,” she said. “Call us for your event and we will provide you with the services and products you need.”
