Lost West Ninth Street

Wood frame house with car out front

For many decades, Little Rock’s West Ninth Street was the heart of the city’s African American community. “The Line,” as the street was sometimes known, was home to businesses, churches, fraternal groups, and a host of other entities. It also boasted a significant residential population. Unfortunately, by the early 1960s, societal changes, urban renewal, and the construction of Interstate 630 were leading to the demise of the once vibrant community. These photographs document those structures destroyed by these developments.

Explore Lost West Ninth Street

Read more about West Ninth Street on the CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas.