Segregation and Race-Restrictive Covenants in St. Louis, 1890-1950

FAIN: FEL-272632-21

Colin H. Gordon
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA 52242-1320)

Research and writing leading to a book and digital companion on the origins, spread, and impact of race-restrictive deed covenants in greater St. Louis.

Race-restrictive deed covenants are an important, but relatively inaccessible and understudied, element of twentieth century urban history. “Dividing the City” employs newly discovered catalogues of restrictions (for the City of St. Louis and neighboring St. Louis County), which make those restrictions accessible and discoverable, and make it possible to trace their use and diffusion across greater St. Louis between 1890 and 1950. Close examination of these deed records, in the City of St. Louis and in suburban St. Louis County, will provide a detailed account of the use of deed restrictions (in new subdivisions and older neighborhoods alike), of their importance in inventing and sustaining racial segregation, and of the lasting impact of that segregation on local housing, wealth, and economic opportunity. In addition to the published monograph, a digital companion featuring interactive maps and documents will also be a resulting product of this proposal.

Associated Products

Who Segregated Ameria? (Article)
Title: Who Segregated Ameria?
Author: Colin Gordon
Abstract: Federal housing policies contributed to the segregation of American cities in the twentieth century. But it was private interests that led the way.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/who-segregated-america
Access Model: open
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Dissent
Publisher: Dissent

Race Restrictive Covenants in Greater St. Louis (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Race Restrictive Covenants in Greater St. Louis
Author: Colin Gordon
Abstract: Interactive digital map of racial restrictions on property in Greater St. Louis.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://ehocstl.org/restrictive-covenants/#
Primary URL Description: Digital map of racial restrictions in Greater St. Louis
Access Model: Public-facing, open-access

Dividing the City: Race Restrictions in Greater St. Louis (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Dividing the City: Race Restrictions in Greater St. Louis
Author: Colin Gordon
Abstract: Digital humanities project, mapping and describing the history of private racial restriction in Greater St. Louis.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://dsps.lib.uiowa.edu/thedividedcity/
Primary URL Description: Digital humanities project, mapping and describing the history of private racial restriction in Greater St. Louis.
Access Model: public-facing, open-access

Dress Rehearsal For Shelley: Scovel Richardson and the Challenge to Racial Restriction in Greater St. Louis (Article)
Title: Dress Rehearsal For Shelley: Scovel Richardson and the Challenge to Racial Restriction in Greater St. Louis
Author: Colin Gordon
Abstract: Throughout the twenty-first century, St. Louis was one of the most segregated metropolitan cities in the nation. This problematic setting allowed the city to become ground zero for the legal battle against racial segregation. While many are aware of the historic ruling in Shelley v. Kraemer, which prohibited state enforcement of racially restrictive deed covenants, less is known about the distinct local history in St. Louis that set the stage for this case. This Essay discusses the history of racially restrictive covenants in the city and the subsequent legal challenges that occurred on the state and local level. Gordon focuses on a key figure in this history, Scovel Richardson, and his seminal case Dolan v. Richardson. The Essay argues that Richardson’s case served as a precursor to Shelley and explains the substance and history of legal arguments deployed by Richardson in the case. Gordon explains that, despite its unsatisfying outcome, this challenge to restrictive covenants in Richardson opened the door for the groundbreaking ruling in Shelley.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://journals.library.wustl.edu/lawpolicy/article/id/8586/
Access Model: open-acess
Format: Journal
Publisher: Washington University Journal of Law and Policy

---