Little Rock's Historic Ninth Street

West Ninth Street in Little Rock (Pulaski County) emerged as a predominately African American neighborhood during the Civil War. In 1863, the Federal army, which occupied Little Rock, began constructing log cabins in the area for freed slaves. After the war, many stayed and settled there. By 1870, what was originally known as Little Rock’s West Hazel Street was renamed West Ninth Street. More African Americans settled west of Mount Holly Cemetery between 9th and 12th streets. As the population grew, a five-block section along West Ninth Street, between Broadway and Chester, became the center of the Black business district. Urban renewal and the construction of Interstate 630 sounded a death knell of West Ninth Street. Today the neighborhood provides little hint of its former glory.

Learn more about Little Rock’s West Ninth Street in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.