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Before the Highway

When the interstate highway system was created in the mid-20th century, the routes isolated or destroyed urban neighborhoods nationwide, particularly those with predominantly Black or poor populations. Seven older adults who lived in those places share their memories and observations

AARP Livable Communities

The names of 6 cities are highlighted on a historical map of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways

Library of Congress

JUNE 1958: The cities highlighted in yellow — (clockwise from top left) Saint Paul, Minnesota; Rochester, New York; Columbus, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; St. Petersburg, Florida; Houston, Texas — are discussed in the interviews list below.

Find this page again by using the URL AARP.org/BeforeTheHighway

INTRODUCTION

THE MEMORIES

Florida: St. Petersburg

3 images showing St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch as well as old photos of his relatives

Minnesota: Saint Paul

5 past and present images of Rondo resident and advocate Martin Anderson

New York: Rochester

4 photos showing David Everett and the Lewis Street Center

New York: Rochester

2 photos showing Rochester resident and volunteer Martin Pedraza

Ohio: Columbus

4 past and present photographs of Columbus, Ohio, resident Shirley Mixon

Tennessee: Chattanooga

5 photos showing Chattanooga resident and advocate Moses Freeman

Texas: Houston

2 photos of Rose Childress

Learn More

A historical map of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways

"Before the Highway" 

Editor: Melissa Stanton | Writers: Jimmie Briggs, Reina Sims | Copy Editor: Don Armstrong
Contributors: Kathleen Benedetti-Fisher, Laura Cantwell, Tracy Matthews, Mandla Moyo, Martin Penny, Shondra Wygal

Page published February 1, 2023

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THIS ARTICLE IS AN AWARD-WINNER

The article package "Before the Highways" is a Platinum Winner of the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards
 
  • 2023 Hermes Creative Awards:
    Platinum (Web Writing/Content)

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