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San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods” Opens at the San Diego History Center

September 30, 2025

The San Diego History Center has launched a new exhibition called "San Diego's Lost Neighborhoods" in partnership with the San Diego African American Museum (SDAAMFA) and with assistance from UC San Diego students. This immersive presentation, which opened on September 25 at Balboa Park, examines how discriminatory housing practices like redlining and infrastructure development displaced predominantly Black communities throughout San Diego County. Using oral histories, archival materials, and augmented reality, the exhibition explores the histories of several neighborhoods including Julian, City Heights, and La Jolla.

Who is affected

  • Predominantly Black communities in San Diego County
  • Residents of the featured neighborhoods (Julian, City Heights, the Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla, Chollas View, Southcrest, and MLK Way)
  • Families and businesses that were displaced
  • Museum visitors and the general public gaining access to this historical information

What action is being taken

  • The San Diego History Center is currently presenting the "San Diego's Lost Neighborhoods" exhibition
  • The exhibition is using oral histories, archival materials, and augmented reality to document the displacement of communities
  • The San Diego African American Museum (SDAAMFA) is partnering with the San Diego History Center on this presentation
  • UC San Diego History and Urban Studies students are assisting with the exhibition

Why it matters

  • The exhibition reveals hidden stories about discriminatory housing practices and policies
  • It documents the systematic destruction of predominantly Black communities through "gentrification, freeway development, and just plain racism"
  • The presentation preserves the history of families torn apart, businesses bulldozed, and cultures erased
  • It challenges official narratives by exposing stories "that the powers that be wanted to bury"

What's next

  • The exhibition will remain available for public viewing at the San Diego History Center through May 2026
  • A full story about the exhibition will be published on the website www.sdvoice.info

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods” Opens at the San Diego History Center