Innovation in Segregation

Before the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlining maps encouraged segregation (documented extensively including on this blog), there was this 1934 map by property analyst J. M. Brewer. It showed real estate conditions in Philadelphia with a wary eye towards immigrants, Jews and people of color and provided a model for the HOLC maps and accompanying practices of real estate segregation.

via Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network

The legend shows concerns about certain groups and their effects on the neighborhoods,

and the "quality" of local businesses.

There is a note at the bottom of the legend saying "All location ratings and racial concentration quotes are the opinion only of J.M. Brewer after careful investigation of the location."

Here is the South Philly neighborhood where my family lived at the time. They were in a transition zone between the predominantly Jewish and Italian areas. The neighborhood grades are generally D and E (Decadent!), while the business blocks range from third to fifth class.

Here is a neighborhood north of downtown where some of my family had previously lived, much of this area is now part of Temple University.

Later in her life my grandmother moved to an "A" neighborhood near Rittenhouse Square. Nice area but look out for that scary red "E" blocks just to the south!

Brewer consulted with the HOLC on their 1937 map of Philadelphia, where the prejudicial language became more obvious with map notes such as "Infiltration of Jewish into area have depressed values". These maps were used to deny mortgages to people in "hazardous" areas, generally immigrant and minority neighborhoods, making home ownership almost impossible to most residents of these areas. The resulting inability to grow wealth and stabilize neighborhoods has effects that have persisted ever since.