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!

William Allen‘s grocery was in a block of South Goldsboro Street packed with black businesses in the very early 20th century. The site will soon lie under a baseball stadium.

Allen is listed in the 1908 and 1912 Wilson city directories as a grocer at 412 South Goldsboro Street.

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

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County, Ann Allen, 32, was described as a grocery clerk. Though her 33 year-old husband Will Allen’s occupation was farm laborer, he seems likely to have been the grocer above.