Missouri State University
“Today is the first time in the history of our institution that we will be awarding an honorary undergraduate degree,” said then President Michael T. Nietzel. Ms. Price Walls was escorted to the podium as he spoke. As a teenager … Read More
Church Square North
“Church square north” includes two historically African-American churches. The northern area of the square includes Washington Avenue Baptist Church and Benton Avenue AME Church. In the north area bounded by Central, Benton, Washington Avenue and Brower Street (currently Bob Barker … Read More
Lincoln School
The Rosenwald Foundation in 1930 issued a grant to pay for a new school for Springfield’s Negro students and a two-story redbrick school was dedicated on May 21, 1931. When it opened, teachers led students in a parade on Central … Read More
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, located at Chestnut Expressway and Barnes Avenue since 1919, houses the graves of some of Springfield’s oldest African American families. During the days of Jim Crow laws, city-owned cemeteries only allowed African American citizens to be buried … Read More
Alberta’s Hotel
Located in the parking lot between Jordan Valley Community Health Center and the Springfield Municipal Court building is the former site of Alberta’s Hotel. A three-story house that first served as the community hospital for the black community was remodeled … Read More
Church Square South
“Church square south” includes two historically African-American churches. The southern area of the square includes Gibson Chapel, on the corner of Tampa and Washington Ave. This church formed as the First Negro Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1865 by a freed … Read More
Coming Soon: Graham’s Rib Station and Modern Motel Court
In 1932, Zelma and James Graham opened The Rib Station at the corner of Washington Avenue and Chestnut Street. The restaurant was open 11 a.m.- 2 a.m., seven days a week until it closed in 1967. In the 1940s, the … Read More
Park Central Square: 1906 Easter Lynchings
On Good Friday, April 13, 1906, Springfield and Greene County had a thriving population of African American professionals, business owners, and community leaders. Tragically, by the early hours of Easter Sunday, the city had been overwhelmed by hate and violence … Read More
Silver Springs Park
Silver Springs, Springfield’s only public park open to black residents during segregation, was established in 1918 on land owned by Springfield school superintendent Jonathan Fairbanks, who had died the previous year. The night before Easter 1906, Fairbanks opened his home … Read More