Located west of Downtown, the area transitioned from early residential to commercial and industrial uses in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Locust Street was known as Automotive Row, named for the many stylish one and two-story automotive showrooms and related businesses that lined the street.
First, the majority of factory operations shut down on the early 20th Century and then the automotive showrooms were abandoned for larger dealerships. Fortunately, many beautiful brick buildings remain and caught the eye of forward-thinking preservationists over the last few decades. The LBD is part of two National Historic Districts – the Locust St. Automotive District and the Olive/Locust Historic Business District.
Beautiful showroom windows, ornate exteriors, and open-concept, manageably sized interior spaces make the buildings attractive and adaptable for retail, residential, restaurant, entertainment, and office spaces. The area still includes pockets of light industry and warehousing now mixed with unique small businesses, residential lofts, nonprofit service agencies, schools, day care, and the chic new MLS stadium.
Local heritage sites include the Golden Lane Suffragist Historic Marker, Pillars of the Valley, Scott Joplin House Historic Site, and the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center and Women’s Christian Home.