Can you picture a neighborhood that embodies progress and community spirit? That’s Berkley Square. It stands as a testament to Las Vegas’s African American heritage. Welcome to Berkley Square, a place of significant historical importance.
Berkley Square, designed by Paul Revere Williams in 1949, is named after Thomas L. Berkley. Berkley was an attorney from Oakland, California. This historic district, built between 1954 and 1955, originally contained 148 homes. Berkley Square provided enhanced living conditions for the town’s African-American residents.
Paul R. Williams, a globally acclaimed African-American architect from Los Angeles, designed Berkley Square. He significantly impacted his race in the profession. The district is located about one and a half miles from downtown Las Vegas. It sits near Owens Avenue and D Street. Byrnes and Leonard avenues bound it on the north and south. G and D Streets define its western and eastern borders.
The 148 houses in Berkley Square showcase the Contemporary Ranch style. They feature two models distinguished by roof type, veranda protuberance, facade home stretches, and fenestration. The neighborhood’s design adhered to Federal Housing Administration standards. These standards prioritized traffic and pedestrian safety. They incorporated limited access points and sidewalks separated from the streets by lawn strips.
In the 1930s, Las Vegas had only about 150 African American residents. By the end of World War II, that number had grown to over 3,000. The need for better housing became a critical issue for the black community. Segregation confined them to the Westside. By 1955, around 16,000 people, mostly African Americans, resided in the 160-acre Westside area.
Berkley Square played a vital role in improving living conditions for the city’s African-American residents. Local activism in the late 1940s and 50s fueled advancements within the community. This district also exemplifies the extensive construction boom. This boom swept through Las Vegas and the entire country after the war. Berkley Square retains its integrity as a residential exurb from that era.
The developers and builders of Berkley Square included prominent African-American community leaders. Thomas L. Berkley, a financier, attorney, media owner, developer, and civil rights advocate from Oakland, California, was one of them. Edward A. Freeman and J.J. Byrnes of Los Angeles also financed the project. Leonard A. Wilson of Las Vegas served as the developer. Harry L. Wyatt of the Las Vegas firm Burke and Wyatt supervised construction. Massie L. Kennard, a Las Vegas civil rights leader, was the real estate agent.
Berkley Square was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. This recognition underscores its importance as the first subdivision in Nevada built by and for African Americans. It represents a significant step forward in preserving African-American history in the state.
As you leave Berkley Square, consider the legacy of this historic neighborhood. It is a symbol of community, progress, and the enduring spirit of Las Vegas’s African-American residents. Its well-maintained homes and thoughtful design echo a time of growth and change. Berkley Square remains a testament to the vision and determination of those who built it.