The African-American Business District that Became "Jackson Square"

The African-American Business District that Became "Jackson Square". . , The 1000 Block of North 6th Street has unique significance on several scores. Architecturally, historically, economically, culturally and politically, this high-profile block of 19th-century buildings communicates a rich tapestry of America's and Harrisburg's multifaceted heritage. The fanciful Dutch-revival-style house at the Boas St. corner served for a time as the parsonage of the former Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church just a few doors to the north; later, it became part of the thriving 20th-century African-American business community that flourished along the 6th St. corridor. An earlier residential structure on this site was the home of the Rev. Silas Comfort Swallow, a temperance crusader known as "No swallow Swallow," and remembered as the only person to run for U. S. President as a Prohibition candidate., To the right, at 1002 N. 6th St., lived for many years the family of Calobe Jackson, Sr., a prominent black businessman who operated Jack's Barber Shop on the ground floor in addition to other businesses nearby. His son, Calobe Jackson, Jr., gained renown as a Harrisburg civic leader and an authority on African-American and local history., At right, the towering French-second-empire townhouse at 1006 N. 6th St.[now razed], became, in the 20th century, the "Jackson House," accommodating black travelers (who found its listing in the "Green Book" guide to businesses that welcomed African-Americans in the era of segregation) as well as hosting such famous traveling celebrities as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and other superstars. Its proprietor was Mr. German Jackson, head doorman at Harrisburg's then-segregated downtown Penn-Harris Hotel. Mr. Jackson's adjacent restaurant, still named the Jackson House, was deeded to Dave Kegris, who has maintained the Jackson name and symbol of hospitality into the 21st century., By then, as the surrounding properties fell into disrepair, occasional efforts to restore the block were advanced, including a plan for an African-American history museum. At long last, and as the clock was running out, a group of investors assembled by Preservation Pennsylvania came together with plans for rehabbing the vacant buildings and adding new infrastructure as needed. In 2020, on the occasion of Calobe Jackson Jr.'s 90th birthday and in honor of both legendary Jackson families, the rebirth of this block was officially named "Jackson Square.", [Photo captions, counterclockwise from top left, read] , . German Jackson opened the Jackson House in 1925., . Calobe Jackson, Sr., stands in front of his barber shop in the 1940's., . Calobe Jackson, Jr., stands at Jackson Square in front of his boyhood home and father's barber shop., . Jack's Barber shop was founded by Calobe Jackson at 10 Aberdeen Street in 1921. It was moved to 1002 N. 6th Street in 1933. Offering expert haircuts, shaves and tonsorial grooming, it became a popular destination and the most prestigious African-American meeting place in Harrisburg. The barbershop closed in 1971 upon the death of its owner., . North wall of the Jackson House [since razed] displays a striking mural painted by Sprocket Mural Works' artist Cesar Viveros of famed African-American artists who stayed there.