Oral history interview with John Saunders

John Saunders, an African American man, talks about his business, Saunders Barber, as well as the other businesses that were on the same block when he opened his shop. He recalls Williams Grocery Store, Pearl Beauty Salon, a tailor shop, and Dr. Walker's Pharmacy that was on the same block in the 1930s. He mentions other grocery stores in the area and comments that the Williams Grocery Store was the cheapest and John Williams had built the store himself. He describes other local businesses, most of which were run by neighborhood families. Saunders discusses how the neighborhood changed when Suitland Parkway was constructed, tearing down local businesses like the Miller's Store (a general store) and one of the community's oldest churches. He lists other nearby churches that are still standing, including St. Philip's Church, Macedonia Baptist Church, and Bethlehem Baptist Church. He includes information about Eureka Park and Green Willow Park. about as well as the two funeral homes in the area, Mason's Funeral Home and Smoot Funeral Services. He ends the interview about talking all the land owned by Arthur Morrissett and how John Williams will know more of the history of Anacostia. John Saunders was interviewed by John Tetrault in 1974. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for most parts.