By Maggie Alt

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hanna, Dr. Christine Henry, and Dr. Krystyn Moon

Abstract

20th-century developers used racially restrictive covenants in Fredericksburg, VA, a phenomenon found across the United States during the Jim Crow era. Using land deeds and ArcGIS, we mapped properties containing discriminatory language to educate the public about this history and encourage homeowners to remove harmful language. To contextualize these restricted neighborhoods, we analyzed tax records and maps from 1930 and 1964 to identify Black-owned properties and trace the changes in the city’s racial landscape. By visualizing these patterns, our project highlights the geographic context within which these practices occurred and helps residents understand how historic housing practices shape Fredericksburg today.

https://restrictedva.org/