Northside, Atlantic City

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Northside Historical District
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Location117, 138 North Indiana Avenue; 1707, 1711, 1713, 1714 Arctic Avenue; 61A, 61B North Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Coordinates 39°21′51.84″N74°25′55.81″W / 39.3644000°N 74.4321694°W / 39.3644000; -74.4321694
Area3 acres (1.2 ha)
ArchitectVarious Black Entrepreneurs
Architectural styleItalian Renaissance
NRHP reference No. 100004764
NJRHP No.384 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPSeptember 13, 1990
Designated NJRHPAugust 9, 1990

The Northside was a historically African American neighborhood confined within an area of around one mile in the west side of Atlantic City. It was a neighborhood subject to the racial discrimination tactic of redlining, where investors did not invest in an area due to its demographics and prevented buildup of generational wealth. This led to many businesses and housing complexes being built by the government and wealthy black investors in the area, such as Leroy "Pop" Williams. [2]

At its height, the Northside was a bustling neighborhood with many businesses located on Baltic and Mediterranean avenues. The Missouri Avenue Beach, nicknamed "Chicken Bone Beach" and Club Harlem were two of the most iconic attractions in the District. With the construction of the Stanley Holmes Village and other projects, more and more historic apartments were demolished. [3]

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African Americans make up more than a third of Atlantic City, New Jersey's population. Sarah Spencer Washington was a successful businesswoman and community leader. James Leroy Usry was the city's first Black mayor. Fannie Lou Hamer spoke at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. Richlyn Faye Goddard wrote about the community and carried out oral history interviews.

References

  1. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Atlantic County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Historic Preservation Office. December 28, 2020. p. 7.
  2. "Current Exhibits – AAHMSNJ" . Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  3. Cohen, Alix (2016-02-21). "On Kentucky Avenue - A Celebration of Atlantic City's Historic Club Harlem". Woman Around Town. Retrieved 2024-03-06.