Jefferson Street in Brownsville makes national history
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BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. — A new historic district called Dunbar-Carver in Brownsville is added to a national list of historic sites, and residents said Thursday they welcomed the thought of history in their homes. The Tennessee Historical Commission announced Monday that a new district called Dunbar-Carver Historic District would be added to the National register of Historic Places. A release stated it is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Twenty-six properties are included in the district, which include houses, a school and a church. “It deserves recognition — all that we’ve been through — segregation, the civil rights movement,” said Carrie Parker, Dunbar-Carver museum committee member. She said she’s grown up in this community all her life and graduated from Carver High School, the only all black high school in Haywood County during segregation. She said the area previously was called the Jefferson Quarter. “All your black businesses — your beautician, boarder houses, schools — all the black businesses were on Jefferson Quarter,” Parker said. Some residents on Jefferson Street said they were surprised to learn about the past significance. “It’s history, and it’s kind of exciting to know a new lesson to me,” resident Vincent Dancy said. A historical zoning commissioner said Jefferson Street Commercial District, another culturally enriched African American community, is the next up for review. After documents are finalized, it should also be added to the national list next month.
