But these testaments to the state’s African-American history have all met a similar fate: They’re nearly empty, if not completely wiped from the map. Once home to thousands, these three small black communities in different parts of Missouri are of a sort that was once common throughout the region. Much of Kinloch - which lies in the shadow of a major airport - is overgrown with weeds and covered with trash. Rotting skeletons of houses represent the remains of Pinhook.
All that’s left of Pennytown is a small church.
