COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A team of researchers is using technology and firsthand accounts to bring long-lost Black neighborhoods in Columbus back to life.
Researchers at The Ohio State University are reconstructing portions of three historically Black communities that were fragmented or demolished during highway construction in the 1960s. By combining hand-drawn maps from the Library of Congress with interviews from former residents, the project aims to preserve both the physical layout and lived experiences of these neighborhoods.
Police bodycam shows moments leading to shooting at north Columbus Moose Lodge
At first glance, the digital models resemble ordinary city streets. But they are detailed recreations of once-thriving areas like Mount Vernon Avenue Columbus, which served as a central hub for Black-owned businesses and families.
“These neighborhoods were vibrant, wonderful communities prior to what happened in the ’60s and ’70s that really disrupted them,” said Dr. Harvey Miller, a Professor of geography and director for urban and regional analysis at Ohio State…