City Council Highlights | Honorary Street Namings (2/20/24)
The intersection of Gadsden Street and Washington Street received the honorary name of “Zion Baptist Church Square”
Zion Baptist Church was first organized in 1865 and has long served as a center for community organization. Zion has played and continues to play an integral role in the Civil Rights Movement. This church stands as a historical anchor in the City of Columbia.
The 800 to 1100 blocks of Washington Street received the honorary name of “Columbia’s Historic Black Business District.’
Washington Street was home to many African American businesses from 1920 – 1949. From law offices, to shops, a theater, a tailor shop and many more businesses, the corridor became known as the “Black Downtown”. The historic area was an integral component of day-to-day life in Columbia.
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