The Block

A section of Albemarle Avenue known as The Block stretched about a block and a half and housed many Black businesses, with a few freestanding buildings also associated with it. It was one of the main attractions in the city, known for its theatre, restaurants, and barber shops, and it became widely known through soldiers in Europe who heard about it from people from Greenville. Associated places included Grant Bell Cafe at 604 Albemarle Avenue, City Cab Company at 600 Albemarle Avenue, and the Roxy Theatre at 629 Albemarle Avenue. D.D. Garrett and his wife Clotea were photographed on December 5, 1988, when he took the oath of office as the first Black County Commissioner in Pitt County.

Greenville, North Carolina · United States