By 1931, the United States faced an economic depression like no one had ever seen. People lost jobs and industries went under. While the economic crisis hit major cities hard early on, Pensacola did not feel the effects of the nationwide economic depression until the early 1930s. By 1933, the only jobs advertised dealt with general sales and did not guarantee set wages. The economy and everyday life proved difficult for both the White and African American communities from 1931 to 1940.
The above picture shows the Sanborn Fire Insurance map that documented “the Blocks,” section of the historically black neighborhood of Belmont-DeVilliers. This section of the map showed how residents and businesses came together to create a community and survived during a time of great economic stress.