Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

African-American Business District

City of Tuscaloosa

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

1. African-American Business District Marker

Inscription. Near this park, primarily along 23rd Avenue and 6th and 7th Streets, an African-American business district thrived for much of the 20th Century. Black entrepreneurs and professionals developed scores of businesses and services that were restricted or denied elsewhere.

Some early establishments were Murphy Undertaking, Oak City Cafe, O'Rourke Brothers, Parlor Barber Shop, People's Drug, Taylor's Billiard Parlor, and Dr. G. A. Weaver.

Long established businesses and offices included Blue Front Cafe, Cain's Billiard Parlor, Dr. William Dansby, DeLuxe Taxicab, Diamond Theatre, Dr. Marshall Gilmer, Dr. Andrew McKenzie, New Deal Cafe, Oak City Barber & Beauty Shop, People's Shoe Renewal, Dr. John W. Robinson, Universal Hat, Van Hoose Funeral Home, Williams Cleaners, and Wynne's Barber Shop.

Erected by City of Tuscaloosa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 33° 12.547′ N, 87° 33.856′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. It can be reached from 7th Street west of 21st Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in Government Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2106 6th St, Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Civil Rights Era (a few steps from this marker); Answering the Call to Duty (a few steps from this marker); Into The Twenty-First Century (within shouting distance of this marker); 1887: The Beginnings of Modern Tuscaloosa (within shouting distance of this marker); Senator Richard Shelby (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconstruction:1867-1874 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Tuscaloosa (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capital Years: 1825-1847 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuscaloosa.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

2. African-American Business District Marker

The Diamond Theater image. Click for full size.

James Baughman via Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum, circa 1950

3. The Diamond Theater

The Diamond Theater opened in 1946 at 621 23rd Avenue in Tuscaloosa and closed in 1967. The building accommodated 500 and was fitted with the most modern cinema equipment, attractively decorated and completely fireproof. The theater and Diamond Drugs next door were part of a group of businesses known as the Bluefront District that catered to African-Americans. The building was razed in 2007 to make room for the city's Intermodal facility.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.