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Whose City?Race and the Urban Landscape in Selma, Alabama

Abigail Gautreau

May 3, 2013

Friday, July 19, 13

mailto:abby.gautreau@gmail.commailto:abby.gautreau@gmail.com

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A Very Short History of Selma

Originally populated by the Muscogee (Creek)

First explored by the French; city founded 1732

Selma was officially incorporated in 1820

Became the seat of Dallas County in 1866

Economy relied on cotton & steam traffic on the river

Significant naval supply site during the Civil War

Battle of Selma - April 2, 1865

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Free Black Community (pre-Emancipation)

Dallas County Voters League & NAACP

White Citizens Council

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Bloody Sunday/March to Montgomery

School desegregation/Selma Accords

Selma in the Civil Rights Movement

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Comprehensive Plan of the City of Selma

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chnm.gmu.edu

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Life magazine

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biography.com

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Comprehensive Plan of the City of Selma

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Selmas Historic DistrictsComprehensive Plan of the City of Selma

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Selma Historic Districts - 2013Yellow - Ice House District (1990)

Blue - Old Towne District (1978)

Orange - Riverview District (1990)

Purple - Water Ave. District (1972)

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Center for Historic Preservation - MTSU

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Center for Historic Preservation - MTSU

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The View Downtown

Very typical

downtown businessdistrict

Intersection of

Alabama Avenue &

Broad Street

Abigail Gautreau

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HABS images from the

Library of Congress

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http://www.city-data.com/city/Selma-Alabama.htmlhttp://www.city-data.com/city/Selma-Alabama.html

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How does preservation

reinforce outmoded values?

Focus on aesthetics & high architecture

Ethnocentrism

Were taken in by the landscape

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So where is the city center?

In the segregated city,

there are tiny citycenters everywhere

Look for small

commercial buildings

scattered inneighborhoods

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Abigail Gautreau

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C C C

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Churches: Centers of Community

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Tabernacle Baptist Church

Center for Historic Preservation - MTSU

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Providence Baptist Church

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Neighborhoods vary

Some retain a high

degree of integrity

and workmanship

Locations tend to

be less desirable

Vacant lots are

common

Company housing

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Lapsley Street near R. B. Hudson School

Abigail Gautreau

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Abigail Gautreau

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Abigail Gautreau

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What is the solution?

Community

engagement andinvolvement

Long-term

commitment

Giving back

Meeting at West Trinity Baptist Church

Center for Historic Preservation - MTSU

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