Medgar Evers Historic District

Medgar Evers Historic District is a U.S. historic district and residential neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi. The neighborhood contains the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, the former home of African American civil rights activist Medgar Evers (1925–1963). Poet and writer Margaret Abigail Alexander Walker (1915–1998) lived in the neighborhood, and has a street named after her.[2][3] The district is roughly bound by Margaret Walker Alexander Street, W. of Missouri and E. of Miami Streets, and is 3 miles northwest from downtown Jackson.[2] The district has been listed as one of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) since September 18, 2013.[2]

Medgar Evers Historic District
Elraine Subdivision
Medgar Evers Historic District is located in Mississippi
Medgar Evers Historic District
LocationRoughly Margaret Walker Alexander Street, W. of Missouri and E. of Miami Streets,
Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, U.S.
Coordinates32.341°N 90.2127°W / 32.341; -90.2127
NRHP reference No.13000737[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 18, 2013

History
Medgar Evers house (2018) at 2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive, Jackson, Mississippi
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home (2018) at 2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive, Jackson, Mississippi

The area was developed between 1955 and 1957 by African American developers Winston J. Thompson and Leroy Burnett, and was known as the Elraine Subdivision.[2] It was the first modem subdivision designed specifically for middle-class Blacks in Mississippi after World War II.[2] To sell the houses, Thompson and Burnett advertised in the Jackson Advocate, a local African American newspaper.[2] They were all designed as three bedrooms, a large bath, central heat, attached storage room, and landscaped lawns.[2] It is listed as one of the NRHP historic districts because of the architecture, Black ethnic heritage, and its social history.[2]

The neighborhood contains 44 properties, primarily 1950s Ranch-style homes; and was designed as a suburban development.[2] There is not much variance in the architecture.[2]

In more recent history the community has struggled with blight.[4][5]

Architectural landmarks
  • Margaret Walker Alexander House (1955), 2205 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive (formerly 2205 Guynes Street), Jackson, Mississippi
  • Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument (1956), 2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive (formerly 2332 Guynes Street), Jackson, Mississippi
  • Greater Mount Mariah Missionary Baptist Church (c. 1956; formerly Elraine Baptist Church), 3672 Medgar Evers Boulevard, Jackson, Mississippi[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Evers, Medgar, Historic District". National Park Service. September 18, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  3. Black Women in America. Oxford University Press. 2005. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-19-515677-5.
  4. Ducote, Nick (May 25, 2018). "Community meeting held to address blight in Medgar Evers historic district". WLBT. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  5. Gordon, Gracyn (November 14, 2021), "Teenagers give back to the community by cleaning up Medgar Evers historic district", WAPT, retrieved January 23, 2023

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service.

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