Dale Avenue and Hanley Road

Hadley Township was a vibrant African American community in Richmond Heights, Missouri, established in 1907 by the Evens and Howard Fire Brick Company as housing for its Black employees during a time when segregation limited where African Americans could live in St. Louis County. The company built modest two-by-two framed homes rent-free to attract and retain labor. When the company declined during the Great Depression, it sold the homes to Black families at low prices, giving rise to a self-sustaining and tight-knit community.

Residents cultivated gardens, opened schools, churches, social clubs, and businesses like bakeries, salons, and grocery stores, despite limited access to public transit. The community was rich with education, culture, and mutual care. Influential figures like jazz legend Mae Wheeler and documentarian Henry Hampton called Hadley home.

By the mid-20th century, the area became a target for urban renewal and development. In 2014, the City of Richmond Heights approved the demolition of the remaining homes for a $63 million commercial project, which included a Menards. The demolition erased nearly all physical traces of the community, a loss that many former residents, like filmmaker and journalist Margie P. Hollins, called “urban removal.” Hollins documented the destruction in her film We Bear Witness, spotlighting the emotional toll and historic significance of the township.

In 2019, the city installed a plaque at Thomas Street and Laclede Station Road, recognizing Hadley Township’s historical importance. While most of its structures are gone, the community’s legacy endures as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the lasting impact of African American neighborhoods in shaping local history.

"We Bear Witness: The African American Legacy of Hadley Township, MO" is a documentary film exploring the former African American community of Hadley Township. The film aims to preserve the history and legacy of this community, which was once a thriving hub for Black residents during the Great Migration. Notable former residents of Hadley Township include Pulitzer Prize winner Henry Hampton, jazz singer Mae Wheeler, and architect Charles E. Fleming.