
There is evidence of racial covenants in Sycamore. The Fox Subdivision was created in 1927. The Sycamore True Republican included an article about this new section in town: “An exclusive residence district, provided with curved streets, pavements, walks, water, gas, electricity and sewage, and beautified with trees and shrubs — with suitable restrictions attached to each lot, assuring that it will be for all time a high-class residential section — has been laid out by George A . Fox , on the south side of DeKalb avenue on the west limits of Sycamore, and lots are now offered for sale”(March 19, 1927). There were also two ads promoting a “High Class Restricted Resident District” on March 23 and 30, 1927.
The specific language in the restrictive racial covenant for this subdivision states: “The following covenants and restrictions running with the land are to be constructed as being for the benefit of all the lot owners in the said Fox’ Subdivision and as being part of the general plan of building and occupation…. White Race: The ownership and occupancy of lots and buildings in this addition are forever restricted to the members of the pure white race”(March 9, 1929, abstract of property, page 38). Below is a map of the subdivision and the racial restrictive covenant.
Abstract for 621 Meadow Lane, DeKalb County History Center archives.