Mahalia Jackson's living situation
A reflection of her career and commitment
Mahalia Jackson's life was, of course, inextricably linked to her homes – from her humble beginnings in New Orleans to her luxurious condominiums in Chicago. Her houses and apartments were not just places to live, but also witnesses to her impressive career, financial success, and tireless commitment to the civil rights movement. These retreats were particularly important to her, as she was constantly on the go, performing concerts, touring, recording albums, appearing on TV, and attending church events.
This article highlights the fascinating evolution of Mahalia's personal living situation, which was often marked by racism and personal challenges, but also by her desire for a home of her own and a center for hospitality and activism.
From shotgun shacks to Chicago's South Side
Mahalia Jackson was born into poverty in a "little old shotgun shack" in New Orleans. A leaky roof was part of her childhood, and after her mother died, she moved in with her aunt Mahala Paul, also known as Aunt Duke. From an early age, she longed for a room of her own, a place of privacy where she could listen to music undisturbed. At just fifteen, she partially fulfilled this wish by renting a tiny one-room house.
Mahalia Jackson moved to Chicago at the end of November 1931 at the age of 20. She initially lived with relatives in a three-story building on Chicago's South Side and earned a living as a cleaner and laundress. In the early 1940s, she shared a small apartment with her then-husband, Ike Hockenhull. This place soon became a refuge for young, penniless singers, who found not only a hearty meal there, but also Mahalia's motherly care. Her hair salon at 3252 South Indiana served not only as a business, but also as a makeshift living space and an important meeting place for the black community.
A decisive step in Mahalia's real estate history was the purchase of a four-unit apartment building at 3726 South Prairie Avenue. This was not only a financial investment, but also an expression of her desire to become a property owner and landlord. She paid for the building in cash and used the lower apartment for herself. Her home became a lively place where she not only made cosmetics but also ran a part-time beauty salon to supplement her income.
8353 Indiana Avenue, Chicago
© Postkarte, Scenic South Card Co, Bessemer Ala. 35020
A brief glimpse of the house on Indiana Avenue.
A fight against racism and a center of the civil rights movement
In early 1957, Mahalia Jackson's childhood dream of owning her own home came true when she bought a stately, one-story house in Chatham Village on Chicago's South Side, at 8353 Indiana Avenue. She paid $40,000 cash for the red brick ranch-style house. With seven rooms, a built-in garage, and a large garden, it was a symbol of her success.
However, the purchase was met with fierce resistance in the predominantly white neighborhood. Mahalia received threatening phone calls and obscene messages, and block meetings were organized to protest her move. The fear that a black family would "corrupt" the neighborhood led to open racism. Shortly after they moved in, shots were even fired through their panoramic window. Mahalia responded decisively: she called Mayor Richard Daley, who stationed police officers outside her house, and the FBI was called in. Despite the hostility, she remained steadfast, supported by family members who kept watch over her. Within a year, the last white families left Chatham Village.
However, the house on Indiana Avenue became not only a symbol of resistance, but also an unofficial headquarters for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Ralph Abernathy. Here they met to prepare speeches for protest rallies and collect donations for the civil rights movement in the South. Reverend Abernathy called it "our second home." Mahalia's kitchen became the heart of the house, where she prepared Creole food for her guests. The house was a constant gathering place for gospel singers, preachers, and celebrities such as Duke Ellington.
Later residences and their business empire
In the late 1960s, Mahalia moved into an eleven-room duplex apartment on Cornell Avenue in Hyde Park. This luxurious apartment on the 26th floor offered breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. She had two units converted into one large apartment to suit her needs and those of her family. The apartment was equipped with a closed-circuit camera system to identify visitors at the entrance. Her neighbors in Hyde Park included prominent figures such as Muhammad Ali and John H. Johnson, the CEO of Ebony/Jet Publications. The apartment on Cornell Avenue became her final residence.
Mahalia's life was also marked by various temporary stays, including hotel rooms and small rented apartments, especially during her marital problems. Hospital stays also became temporary "second homes" due to her health problems.
Beyond her personal residences, Mahalia Jackson was a businesswoman with diverse real estate interests. She owned and lived in the Corbett Arms Apartments in Los Angeles during the summer months. An ambitious "temple" project envisioned the construction of her own house of worship and gospel singing school on Chicago's South Side. Her entrepreneurial spirit was also evident in her partnership with Minnie Pearl's Chicken System, which aimed to keep all franchises black-owned and black-operated. At one point, there were five Mahalia Jackson's restaurants in Chicago.
The legacy of a home
Mahalia Jackson's approach to money was unique; she often carried large amounts of cash with her, a result of her early experiences with unscrupulous promoters. When she died, she left behind a fortune estimated at between $6 million and $10 million.
But beyond material wealth, it was Mahalia's deep desire for a home of her own and privacy that shaped her life. She wanted a place where she could bring her family and friends, a place to breathe and sing. Her homes were always open to her loved ones and to those who needed her support. The racism she encountered when buying property shocked her, but she fought and won. Her victory in Chatham was not only a financial triumph, but also an emotional one that underscored her unshakable spirit.
Mahalia Jackson's living situation was thus much more than just a string of addresses. It was a living testament to her struggle, her triumph, and her deep connection to her community and the civil rights movement. Her homes told the story of a woman who not only moved the world with her voice, but also created a home for herself and others that was characterized by love, hospitality, and resistance.
©Thilo Plaesser