“None of the above tract of land is to be ever sold to colored people.”
That is the text of a covenant recorded on a deed dated Nov. 6, 1912 for some land located at the northwest corner of 17th Street and College Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana.
A point in time that lies over a century in the past might seem like ancient history.
But the same parcel is part of a plat that is dated just 77 years ago—June 16, 1946.
The covenant on the plat reads: “The ownership and occupancy of lots and buildings or parts thereof in this addition are forever restricted to members of the white race, except that domestic help, not of the white race may occupy a room in said dwelling during the period of employment.”
Information on racially restrictive covenants on deeds and plats in Monroe County is now within easy reach of anyone with an internet connection.
This past week, Monroe County recorder Amy Swain released a project that maps out racially restrictive covenants on deeds and plats, which the county recorder’s office has unearthed, scanned and made accessible on a web page.
The map is embedded in an explainer website, but can also be accessed through a direct link.
Swain is the newly elected recorder, sworn into office just about six weeks ago. Her statement announcing the release of the map gave credit to the office led by the previous recorder, Eric Schmitz: “[O]f course, the bulk of the work was done during former recorder Eric Schmitz’s administration.” Continue reading “Map of racially restrictive covenants released by Monroe County recorder”
