Local Black historic landmarks too often go unnoticed

We restore this heritage during Black History month 

Many drive past community centers, theaters, and historic landmarks in the Twin Cities area without knowing the stories behind them. Yet these historic spaces are rooted in African American history, resilience, and stories of leadership that have helped shape the Twin Cities today.

Minnesota’s African American history began with fur traders and laborers who developed lasting relationships with Indigenous nations. In the early 1800s, Black settlers made their way to the region seeking stability, economic opportunity, and freedom. Even as racism shaped where people could live and work, African Americans laid a foundation that would grow into strong communities across the Twin Cities.

As the Black population increased in the late 1900s during the Great Migration, African Americans began occupying neighborhoods, churches, businesses, and organizations that became central to daily life. These settings were not only for survival but also spaces for education, culture and community. In most cases, they were created because Black residents were excluded from other public spaces.

In the early 1930s, Rondo Avenue had become the heart of the Black community. By the 1950s, about 85% of St. Paul’s African American population lived in the neighborhood. Rondo was more than a neighborhood; it was a cultural and economic center where African Americans built wealth and raised families.

In the 1950s, the Rondo community was significantly impacted during the construction of Interstate 94, which was built directly through Rondo. More than 700 African American families were displaced and businesses destroyed. The neighborhood was permanently divided. While the physical neighborhood was divided, its legacy remains an important part of St. Paul’s history.

Local historian Frank White has spent more than seven years leading Rondo history tours to help residents understand what once existed. Using historic maps and research, he helps people visualize the neighborhood that stood before Interstate 94.

“I want to give people an idea that in some of these places there were literally homes and streets, and that’s important to our history,” White said. “This is about trying to keep history alive.”

White believes the tours help broaden public understanding of the neighborhood’s past.

“When we talk about Black history here, we’re really talking about St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Minnesota history,” he said. White added that many young people never learn this history in school, making community storytelling even more important.

Community spaces played a significant role in supporting African American residents during times of growth and displacement. One is the second-largest neighborhood center in the Rondo community, the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Founded in 1929, the space was established to serve African Americans when segregation limited education, health care, and social services for Black families.

Named after Hallie Quinn Brown, an educator, activist, and civil rights advocate, the community center became a trusted place for families to gather and grow. It offered early childhood education, youth and senior programs, basic needs assistance, and community resources that were often unavailable elsewhere.

The impact of Hallie Q. Brown Community Center helped shape civic engagement, education, and cultural life in St. Paul. It influenced how African Americans participated in and contributed to the broader community. Today it continues to serve the community each year.

African American leadership in the Twin Cities also shaped civil rights efforts locally and nationally. Roy Wilkins became one of the most influential civil rights leaders in the Twin Cities as longtime leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1949 to 1977. His work helped advance desegregation, voting rights, and equal protection under the law. The Roy Wilkins Auditorium stands as a memorial and reminder of his impact in Minnesota’s connection to the national Civil Rights Movement.

Arts and culture have also played a major role in shaping the Twin Cities. The Penumbra Theatre Company, founded in St. Paul in 1976, became a nationally recognized space for Black storytelling. Penumbra provided opportunities for Black playwrights, actors and directors at a time when their voices were excluded from mainstream theater. The company helped influence the arts while remaining rooted in the local community.

“At Penumbra, we use storytelling as a way to grow empathy, to address false narratives, and to practice the essential work of perspective-taking, so that we can begin to see one another beyond our own self-interest,” said Sarah Bellamy, Penumbra Theatre Company president.

Cultural spaces like Penumbra highlight how African American history is not only about struggle but also about creativity, expression, and community healing.

Across Minneapolis and St. Paul, historic landmarks tied to African American history are still present even if the community may not recognize them. Each site tells a story of resilience, and Black History Month events aim to bring those stories into the spotlight.

Each February, Black History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on African American history through exhibits, performances, lectures, and community events across the Twin Cities. These celebrations highlight both historic achievements and ongoing efforts to preserve Black history in Minnesota.

Understanding local history helps us better understand the communities around us. When history is overlooked, an important part of the community’s identity is lost. Recognizing these stories not only honors the past but also helps us understand how history continues to influence the present and future.

For upcoming Black History Month events, visit https://www.mnhs.org/blackhistory-blackvoices.

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student.