The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.

Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!

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Jacob Tucker‘s grocery was among the cluster of groceries and cafes on the west side of the 400 block of South Spring [now Douglas] Street. Soon, the footprints of all will lie beneath the baseball stadium that just broke ground in downtown Wilson.

1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.

Tucker ran into a spot of trouble at his store in the fall of 1912.

Jacob Tucker’s grocery and dwelling as shown in the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance maps of Wilson.

Though its address shifted to 424 South Spring, Jake Tucker operated his grocery store at the same location for nearly 40 years. (424 was also occasionally the address, per city directories, of Neverson Green‘s grocery. The two may have been in the business together for brief periods.)

Tucker’s will, dated 1 September 1942, disposed of both the store and his neighboring house at 422 South Spring. He died in 1946.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2024; Jake Tucker Will (1942), North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.