Sundown Towns: A Stain on America's Past That Lingers Today

Coauthored by: Jasmine Ballard

Imagine you're on a road trip, the sun is setting, and suddenly you see a sign that reads, “Whites only within city limits after dark.” For a Black traveler, this wasn’t just an unwelcoming message—it was a life-threatening warning. Sundown towns, especially in the Midwest and South, were places where Black people were forced to leave by nightfall, or face the dangers of racial violence. While the signs may have disappeared, the legacy of sundown towns remains, reminding us of how deeply rooted racism continues to shape America.

What Are Sundown Towns?

Sundown towns, also called "gray towns" or "sunset towns," were communities that prohibited nonwhite individuals, particularly African Americans, from remaining within city limits after dark. This practice, peaking between 1890 and 1960, wasn’t confined to the South—there were an estimated 10,000 sundown towns spread across the United States. Their enforcement wasn’t subtle; many towns posted signs at their borders reading, “Nigga, don’t let the sun set on you here.”* This stark racism was often upheld through intimidation, violence, and local policies designed to keep Black Americans out.

These towns weren’t just accidental clusters of racial exclusion—they were a direct backlash to the progress Black Americans had made after the Civil War. And while these physical places may no longer operate in the same way, their existence has left scars that we still see today in the form of racial segregation and systemic inequality.

The Historical Context

Sundown towns emerged in full force after the Reconstruction era, when the United States briefly attempted to integrate formerly enslaved people into society. Reconstruction (1865–1877) was a time of hope, with newly freed Black Americans gaining rights, citizenship, and representation. But it didn’t last long. As federal support for Black civil rights diminished, white supremacist groups and local governments fought to restore racial control.

This backlash birthed Jim Crow laws, segregation, and sundown towns. These towns were built on the idea that certain areas should remain “white-only.” Through intimidation, violence, and local ordinances, white residents kept Black Americans from living, working, or even traveling safely within their borders. It was a deliberate effort to maintain racial purity and prevent integration—a manifestation of racism embedded not only in social attitudes but also in physical spaces.

Real Examples of Sundown Towns

The list of sundown towns is long, but to understand their impact, it’s essential to explore specific examples. Take Ashland, Illinois, where Black residents were driven out through threats of violence and intimidation, and it remained a sundown town for decades. In Rosman, North Carolina, Black travelers knew that staying past sundown would result in dangerous encounters with local authorities. These towns were symbols of racial segregation and enforced exclusion. But they weren't anomalies—they were part of a larger system.

By the 1960s, with the passage of civil rights legislation, sundown towns began to fade. However, their legacy of exclusion and segregation left a deep imprint. Many of these towns remain overwhelmingly white, and their histories are often hidden or forgotten, even though their influence on racial demographics is still visible today.

The Lingering Legacy of Sundown Towns

Sundown towns may have officially ended, but their impact on America’s racial landscape continues. The forced exclusion of Black people from these areas has contributed to today’s racial disparities in housing, education, and wealth. Many of these towns, although no longer posting signs, still have disproportionately white populations, a reflection of the social and economic barriers Black Americans have faced for generations.

Javion Magee, a 21-year-old from Aurora, Illinois, was found dead the morning of Sept. 11 in Henderson, North Carolina. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office reported on September 13, 2024.

Moreover, the spirit of exclusion didn’t disappear—it simply evolved. Racial profiling, redlining, and even gentrification reflect the same desire to maintain control over who belongs in a space. In many ways, modern America is still grappling with the same issues of segregation and exclusion that fueled sundown towns decades ago.

Acknowledge and Learn

The stories of sundown towns are uncomfortable, but they are a crucial part of our history. They remind us that racial exclusion wasn’t just a southern phenomenon—it was a nationwide practice that affected thousands of communities. Today, as we continue to fight for racial equality, it’s important to recognize how these histories have shaped the present. We cannot move forward without understanding the depth of America’s racial past.

Sundown towns may no longer have signs posted at their borders, but the message they sent still echoes. It’s up to us to ensure that the next generation understands this history so that we don’t repeat it. By learning from the past, we can begin to dismantle the systems of exclusion that persist and build a future where equality is more than just a concept—it’s a reality.