Freedmen’s Town, located along Buffalo Bayou in Houston’s Fourth Ward, was the first African American community established by formerly enslaved individuals.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863, the last enslaved people in Texas were freed on June 1, 1865, in Galveston. Following their liberation, around 1,000 freed slaves migrated to Houston and formed what is now known as Freedmen’s Town.
A Community with Deep Historical Roots
Freedmen’s Town was home to some of Houston’s most notable figures, including Reverend Jack Yates, the first pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Yates also founded the Houston Academy, which educated freed African American children. The neighborhood produced Black physicians, ministers, jazz musicians, business leaders, and attorneys, including Emmet J. Scott, who served as a personal secretary to Booker T. Washington and was elected secretary of the National Negro Business League in 1901.
By 1880, Freedmen’s Town was home to 95% of Black Houstonians and was a hub for the Black middle class. By the 1930s, it had over 400 Black-owned businesses, earning it the title of “Mother Ward.”
Preserving Freedmen’s Town Amid Gentrification
While the area remains rich in history, it has experienced significant gentrification. The Freedmen’s Town Conservancy is working to preserve what remains of this historic Black community.
Sharon Fletcher, executive director of the Freedmen’s Town Conservancy, emphasized the significance of the neighborhood, saying, “This community was economically sustainable, all on its own, with over 400 businesses. By 1930, it was home to about 95% of the Black middle class. Freedmen’s Town is where it all began for Black Houston.”
Restoring Historic Homes for Affordable Housing
On Saulnier Street, two homes—located at 1609 and 1611 Saulnier—stand as some of the last remaining original structures from Freedmen’s Town. Built in 1928, these homes were saved from demolition and will now be restored for affordable housing.
“The answer is not demolishing historical properties,” Fletcher explained. “We recognize the importance of preserving Freedmen’s Town’s historical footprint by rehabilitating these homes and using them for permanent affordable housing.”
The restored homes will not be available to the general public. Instead, the initiative aims to provide housing for current community members who have not had the opportunity for homeownership or for those who were priced out and wish to return. The goal is to maintain the legacy of Freedmen’s Town by ensuring that future generations of families with historical ties to the community can live there.
Once the restoration is complete, the homes will receive landmark status and become budget-friendly housing. The Houston Community Land Trust will identify and qualify buyers with incomes under 80% of the Area Median Income. These buyers will receive a $150,000 grant to cover the purchase and closing costs, with the remaining balance financed through an approved lender.
Community Support Needed for Project Completion
While the conservancy has raised over $600,000 to acquire the homes and land, an additional $350,000 is needed to complete the restoration.
“We’re looking to raise an additional $350,000 to get these homes done and move into the process of permanent homeownership for someone,” Fletcher stated.
The organization is also engaged in other preservation projects, including cataloging and restoring over 30,000 historical bricks from Freedmen’s Town and rehabilitating three additional historic homes. Plans also include constructing an open-air pavilion to house and display the historic bricks.
For those interested in supporting these efforts, donations can be made through the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy website under the “Join The Rebirth” section.
