The Spirit of African-American Yards

Front Yard Designs in East St. Louis

Yan Xu

This study explores the vernacular language of front yards in the Edgemont neighborhood of southeast East St. Louis. By identifying existing cultural-specific residential landscape features and structures, African-American front yard prototypes have been developed.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Historical References
• The Beliefs and Values Associated with the Yard
• Characteristics of Front Yards in Edgemont
• African-American Front Yard Prototypes
• Conclusion

East St. Louis Action Research Project