Williamsburg remembers Black Triangle Block displaced by urban renewal

Williamsburg’s Triangle Block, a Black business and residential district thriving from the 1930s to the 1970s, is receiving historical recognition.
Located downtown, the area was a self-sufficient community with businesses including a restaurant, grocery, blacksmith, and a hospital led by Dr. James B. Blayton.
The district originated in the late 1800s partly due to segregation restricting Black residents elsewhere in the city.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, urban renewal programs, spurred by reports on “substandard housing,” targeted and displaced the community.
Redevelopment led to the removal of residents and businesses, making way for new buildings like the Williamsburg Regional Library.
This displacement aligns with patterns where urban renewal across the South disrupted Black neighborhoods.
Jacqueline Bridgeforth-Williams is producing a documentary, “Displaced from the Birthplace of America,” featuring descendant stories, planned for release in 2026.
The City of Williamsburg is undertaking initiatives including a Truth and Reconciliation Committee, an African American Heritage Trail beginning construction in Summer 2025, and a scholarship for descendants to honor the district’s legacy.
Former councilman Robert “Bobby” Braxton recalled growing up nearby and frequenting Triangle Block businesses, highlighting its community importance.
Today, First Baptist Church and a historical marker are among the few remaining physical reminders of the original district.