Quality Row
During the 1920's this block of East Leigh Street was known as Quality Row. Upper middle class African-American families lived in these homes. Their neighborhood, Jackson Ward, became the most enterprising African-American business district in the nation and its leaders flourished in these surroundings.
(left)
Reverend J. Andrew Bowler lived here at 112 E. Leigh Street with his family from 1915 until his death in 1935. Reverend Bowler founded nearby Mount Olivet Baptist Church. He also organized and taught at the first African-American school located in Richmond's Church Hill Neighborhood.
(right)
Mrs. Lillian H. Payne lived at 114 E. Leigh Street for more than 20 years. A very close friend and business colleague of Maggie L. Walker, Mrs. Payne managed the office of the Order of St. Luke. The order was the largest of its kind in the country. She supervised nearly fifty employees at the St. Luke building, 900 St. James Street.
Marker is at the intersection of East Leigh Street and North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on East Leigh Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
