jan 1, 1957 - Construction of inner-city viaduct

Description:

1957 Construction of the new inner-city viaduct begins. The project resulted in the demolition of all the homes and stores on third street and fowler street. Large sections of 4th street, 5th street, and 300 blocks of Ann and Barnett were leveled. Over a two year period, the properties were acquired and demolished. The excavation that followed cut away the entire eastern face of the Hill. St. John’s Church, which once occupied the center of the hill, is now poised on a cliff overlooking a broad belt of freeways. Many of the houses that were taken belonged to the same people for 50 years - had been purchased for little more than a thousand dollars, but at a time when wages were 10 cents an hour. Most felt appraisers were fair, but the value attached to being part of the neighborhood was not calculated. Although the physical integrity of the area was dealt a serious blow, the social fabric remained basically intact. The neighborhood is smaller than it used to be, but over a quarter of those who were dislocated managed to move to another house on the hill. Many of those who did move away remained members of St. John’s.