We’ve looked at how redlining has influenced the development of certain regions in the city of Fresno, but what about the history of a particular neighborhood? One tract of homes in the Tower District is turning 100 this year. Those homes, in the so-called “Wilson Island”, have been recognized for their architectural significance and the social influence of their early inhabitants.
Jeannine Raymond lives in the Tower District today, and just published a book about those homes called “Fresno's Wilson Island, and Rosanna Cooper Wilson, the Woman Behind It.”
Listen to the interview above to hear how Wilson developed the neighborhood, and why the area remains a fixture today. There will also be a centennial celebration of the Wilson Island on May 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fresno High School.