Beale street was established in 1841 by entrepreneur and developer roberston topp back then topp had no idea that 100 years later beale street would become the home of the blues let us take you on this fascinating journey back in time and follow the street from its very beginnings as a trading district to a vibrant african american community and ultimately americas most iconic street learn about the people who called beale street home from gangsters who ran the street to the musicians