Historic Black Communities Brought To Life With New Book
Beautiful Spartanburg, nestled in the foothills of South Carolina, witnessed the unveiling of an extraordinary piece of its history during the recent launch of the book “North of Main.” The anticipation around this event was palpable, with customers eagerly lining up at the Chapman Cultural Center to get their hands on a copy.
Unlocking the Past
The book, penned by the talented trio of Brenda Lee Pryce, Jim Neighbors, and Betsy Wakefield Teter marks a significant milestone in Spartanburg’s history. Its pages delve deeply into the rise and disappearance of three historic Black neighborhoods that existed north of Main Street in the late 19th century – namely North Dean Street, Gas Bottom, and Back of the College.
The authors, a mix of community leaders, academics and wordsmiths, have pooled together their diverse skills to produce a work that’s designed to be accessible for everyone. Plenty of pictures and a large-print format invite readers of all ages and backgrounds to delve into the narrative and engage with the untold stories of the community.
Preserving the Tales
“North of Main”, doesn’t read like your average history book. In fact, the authors themselves described it as “not typical”. Instead, it presents a variety of narratives through a lense of humanity and respect for the lives that once were. It uncovers riveting tales and crucial moments in history, such as the assassination of a local mayor, and shines a spotlight on influential community figures who previously vanished from the annals of history.
The Journey to Unearth
A labor of love and dedication, “North of Main” took nearly seven years to materialize. Initiated by Pryce and Neighbors, and later joined by Teter, the team sifted through countless records, historical documents, and conducted numerous interviews to bring hidden pieces of history to light.
Kicking off the endeavor wasn’t easy. Pryce, a former Southside community resident and state legislator, admitted that initially, she hadn’t planned on writing a sequel to their first book, “South of Main”. But, fueled by the overwhelming local response and her personal ties to the communities, she knew there were stories left to tell.
A Vanishing World
Remarkably, Neighbors, a Wofford College professor, witnessed firsthand the gradual disappearance of the vibrant communities right before his eyes. Back in 2003, he noticed the college slowly encroaching the Back of the College neighborhood as it acquired more land for campus expansion. It wasn’t until he collaborated with Pryce and Teter on the book that he comprehended the extent of the loss.
Restoring the Connection
In the spirit of preservation and accessibility, along with the book, the authors also developed a unique companion website. This online platform not only features individual oral histories of former residents and a rich array of photographs, but it also provides U.S. Census data, other historical documents, and a searchable database.
Pryce believes this endeavor is crucial for the current inhabitants of the area to familiarize themselves with their past, to understand their roots, and to appreciate the strength and resilience of the African American community they are a part of.
Establishing the Past
“North of Main” is more than just a book; it’s a testament to the untold narratives that shaped the course of Spartanburg’s history. The trio shares a common hope – that every household in Spartanburg gets to hold and leaf through its pages, embarking on a journey through time. “I don’t think you can really understand the present without understanding the past,” concludes Teter.
