The King-Lincoln District is steeped in history. It lies within the greater Near East Side; it overlaps and is adjacent to both historical and recent neighborhood boundaries. Initially established as an elite area on the outskirts of the City of Columbus, by the 1930s and ‘40s, downtown Columbus’ near east side was home to an affluent African-American business and entertainment district. At the time, segregation actually fueled the commercial and cultural development of the area, as African-American consumers could only patronize the African-American businesses in the neighborhood. As a result, a thriving, self-sufficient community developed which celebrated its cultural heritage and created its own opportunity. (Copyright Lincoln Theater).
Later, the landscape and economics of the King-Lincoln District changed dramatically as desegregation and public policy encouraged middle-class flight and promoted demolition and redevelopment of certain areas within or near the KLD. Since 2001, Mayor Coleman and the City of Columbus have been dedicated to the re-development and revitalization of the King-Lincoln District on Columbus’ Near East Side.
Visit the Columbus Neighborhood Project’s Site to learn more about the neighborhood’s history and discover the treasures, stories and landmarks found throughout the King-Lincoln District and to watch the document on the KLD. Contribute to our shared memory by adding photos, videos and stories reflecting the Columbus experiences of you, your family and friends.
To learn more about whats going on in the KLD today, check our calendar of events. Lively conversations and updates are often found on the Columbus Underground website.
