Carla Clark | For The Republic Whittney Wood Gaines presents Paulette Roberts with a bouquet of flowers during the official opening of the Black Heritage Trail, a self-guided walking tour in downtown Columbus honoring the legacy of Black owned businesses and significant cultural events from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s, at the 6th Street Arts Alley, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, June 19, 2025.
A new trail commemorating the contributions of Black businesses in Columbus opened Thursday night with a ribbon cutting, an official debut for the Black Heritage Trail.
Paulette Roberts, who developed the idea for the trail from tours she led about Black history in Columbus, said the idea came about after she and local historians began researching 10 historic sites throughout downtown related to Black businesses.
With the help of Landmark Columbus Foundation, the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County, the Benjamin R. (Mickey) King Endowed Fund and the Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, the 10 sites are now officially honored with bronze markers noting their significance to Black history.
“I thank you this evening for coming to help celebrate with us the Black Heritage Trail,” Roberts said in her remarks. “We thought that this was an important event to research and discover and allow (everyone) in Columbus, Indiana the experience of what is Black history in Columbus.”
The evening featured DJ Smooth G providing party music, local vendors including the Lemonade Bros and Stunna’s Meal Prep providing food and time for community engagement. Speakers included Landmark Columbus Foundation Executive Director Richard McCoy, historian Brenda Pitts, Second Baptist Church Pastor Larry Rowe and Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon.
The sites include the following:
- Annex Barber and Beauty Shop, owned by Grant Smith and established in 1908, at 617 Washington St.
- Hammond Cafe, owned by Elijah Hammond and established in 1903, at 621-625 Washington St.
- Art Beauty Shop, owned by Cora Stewart and established in 1916, at 629 Washington St.
- Postal Shining Parlor, owned by Wayne Handley and established in 1913, at 647 Washington St.
- Yellow Front, owned by Elmer Goins and established in 1928, at 512 Washington St.
- Noah Roberts Barbershop, owned by Noah Roberts and established in 1915, at 522 Washington St.
- Imes and Washington Barbershop, owned by Harry Imes and James Washington and established in 1899, at 526 Washington St.
- Goins Hotel, owned by Elmer and Lydia Goins and established in 1928, at 415 1/2 Fourth St.
- Little Harlem, owned by Albert Philips and established in 1942, at 302 Eighth St.
- The site of Frederick Douglass’ January 1873 speech at the former Crump Opera House at 401-409 Washington St.
These 10 sites and their history were recounted during the celebration by children of the community and Felicia Garr. Roxanne Stallworth and Cathy Philips, descendants of Albert Philips, and Ron King, descendent of Wayne Handley, also delivered short speeches about their memories of their relatives who are now honored on the Black Heritage Trail.
“I would like to thank Paulette for this, thank you so much… and I’d also like to thank Mayor Ferdon and the city of Columbus for honoring (Handley’s) accomplishment and the accomplishment of others,” King said at the event. “I don’t think we understand how blessed we are to be in a community like this. It’s not perfect, but it’s striving.”
The celebration then concluded with cheers and confetti as community members cut the ribbon to officially open the trail.
