Displacement and Dreams: The Loss of Home in a New South Town

Author

Dora Helen ImpsonFollow

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Lee B. Wilson

Committee Member

Dr. Amanda Reagan

Committee Member

Dr. J. Brent Morris

Committee Member

Dr. Able A. Bartley

Abstract

Despite much research regarding the experience of white city dwellers of Greenville, South Carolina, in the twentieth century, telling the stories of the city’s Black neighborhoods still remains to be done. This thesis chronicles the Black neighborhood of Little Texas, which was found northeast of the city’s central business district from its inception in the 1870s to its demise in the 1970s. By situating the city’s efforts to restrict and limit Black spaces within the historical framework of nationwide efforts of residential segregation ordinances, racially restrictive covenants, and city planning, this thesis argues that Greenville followed many other cities in restricting the constitutional right of its Black citizens to acquire, occupy, and dispose of real property. Through careful examination of historic newspapers, city directories, historic maps, and census data, I argue that the city of Greenville cultivated a hostile view of Black spaces through segregation, zoning, and poor planning practices. These efforts led to the dismantling and removal of Little Texas homes, churches, schools, and burial grounds. This paper also presents new research concerning the city’s 1912 residential segregation ordinance, Black community leaders in the twentieth century, and challenges to the city’s policies of segregation and discrimination.

Recommended Citation

Impson, Dora Helen, "Displacement and Dreams: The Loss of Home in a New South Town" (2025). All Theses. 4531.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4531