l-r: Mary Byrd, Christal Jenkins, Keri Conway, Carlos Delcid
Below are the presentations and excerpts from exhibit texts created by the students in CCRH’s Vancouver African American History project, and presented to the community in the program Lift Every Voice: African Americans in World War II Vancouver, Washington. As CCRH staff stressed at the program, it is our hope that the project will raise awareness and promote discussion about this history, as well as stimulate further research. We want to stress that we view this information not as the last word on the subject, but rather the first – that through their work exploring this topic, and sharing the results of their research with the community, these students will prompt others to continue to study this important topic.
Housing presentation by Carlos Delcid
The bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941 launched the United States into World War II. As our military mobilized, so did our home front which meant millions of Americans could get work in the war industries. Here in the Pacific Northwest thousands of people took jobs in shipyards created by a man named Henry J. Kaiser. Kaiser was an American industrialist known as the “father of modern shipbuilding.”
According to the memories of Florine Dufrense, who lived in Vancouver from 1907 up until this year, a Black man called Major White marched in the city’s parades and was well-liked. Before the war, he was the only Black person living in our city and had no family. A Vancouver Housing Authority report titled A Survey of Negro Tenants determined most African Americans moved to Vancouver during the year of 1943, and 78% of them came from south of the Mason-Dixon line. The top five states were: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
African American scholar Qunitard Taylor reports Portland area shipyards, including Kaiser-Vancouver, employed more than 7,700 Blacks in 1944. The Housing Authority of Portland set aside Vanport and another project to house African American families but the housing filled to capacity. The Vancouver Housing Authority, the VHA, established in February of 1942, oversaw land owned by the Federal Housing Authority and operated under a lease agreement. The local authority was given the responsibility of collecting rents for the federal government and maintaining property.
The Vancouver Housing Authority welcomed Blacks who worked in the Vancouver shipyards. The total cost of the projects was over $40,000,000. Only McLoughlin Heights was ready for residents in 1942. Most of the public war housing wasn’t opened until 1943 which allowed the total population, all races included, in Vancouver’s housing projects to reach 14,580 in that year.
According to the VHA’s report on Black families in Vancouver, Washington, most Blacks came to Vancouver in the summer of 1943, and in 1945 our city reached a peak population of approximately 7,785 African Americans. Most people, including Blacks, found affordable housing in the projects. Narrator Willard Nettles, Jr. recalls all VHA housing was rented, no residents owned their homes. The VHA included information about its housing in its 1944 annual report. The 6 major housing areas were McLoughlin Heights, Ogden Meadows, Fruit Valley Homes, Fourth Plain Village, Bagley Downs, and Burton Homes.
Black families had a longer length of residence than White families. 74% of African American families lived in projects for at least a year, and 36% stayed for at least two. Most housing was temporary. The choice permanent housing had electric stoves and refrigerators, the temporary demountables had electricity, and the sub-standard finished row house units, built last, were equipped with coal ranges and ice boxes.
Narrators for our project recalled the housing. One narrator who moved to Bagley Downs was not accustomed to the sounds of apartment living and remembers hearing the foot traffic of everyday life in her new home. She was also not used to starting her own fires, she’d grown up with gas heating and cooking in Louisiana. Her upstairs neighbors were friendly and taught her how to start a fire using kindling wood. I interviewed Willard Nettles, Jr. who remembers the homes in The Heights had thin walls and were small, rectangular, and plain. He also said, “We could climb out of the windows because they weren’t very high above the ground and it was kind of a fun thing to do during the summer.”
Some projects, like McLoughlin Heights and Ogden Meadows, were large enough to include schools and shopping, medical, and community centers. Narrator Jean Griffin said, “[At the recreation center] the kids could go and play games and they did a lot of different things.”
The Vancouver Housing Authority did not enact an official segregation policy. However, each of our narrators recalls certain areas were home to more Black families than other areas. Narrator Jean Griffin recalls mostly White people living in McLoughlin Heights and Blacks living mostly in Bagley Downs and Burton Homes. Willard Nettles, Jr. said there was definitely segregation on a person-to-person level, but the housing authority rented homes on a first come-first serve basis. Val Joshua, who lived in Bagley Downs apartments, recalled mostly Black tenants when she moved there in 1942. She remembers Whites living in a particular area and Blacks living in another.After the war, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People made housing desegregation a major goal.
No matter how much racial tension our narrators felt, they all made life-long friends in their neighborhoods and found opportunities to immerse themselves in their communities by joining organizations like the NAACP, attending school and church, or just being friendly to neighbors. The VHA predicted 500 of Vancouver’s 1,730 African American families would stay in the city after the war. Those 500 families would equal 3% of Clark County’s expected post-war population. From the peak of Black families in January 1945 to November 19 the number of units occupied by Blacks dropped by 54%, and the number of units occupied by Whites dropped by 42%.
Following World War II, the VHA dismantled the temporary housing units and redeveloped McLoughlin Heights into neighborhoods. The Authority did similar things with the other projects because most of the housing was temporary. However, some homes remained standing, and are still standing today. Willard Nettles, Jr. recalls that after the war the houses in The Heights were torn down, many Blacks decided to move to Portland and the Blacks who decided to stay in Vancouver had to find existing houses because no new homes were built to accommodate them.
Social Clubs/Organizations/Entertainment presentation by Mary Byrd
Hello my name is Mary Byrd I am a graduating student at Lewis and Clark High School. This project has truly been a learning experience for me. We have worked hard the last several months researching black history in Vancouver, WA, in the 1940’s. I have learned an extensive amount of knowledge about my community by just getting involved in this project. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to work with such an excellent group of people, and I hope to continue to do more for my community and get involved with other opportunities like this one. I would especially like to thank Val Joshua and Florine Dufresne for sharing their stories with me. I strongly encourage more people, especially our youth, to sign up for projects that are posted around your school and other places.
The display I have put together is on social clubs and entertainment among the African American community in Vancouver, WA. I have focused on four major parts of my topic: Black Businesses, At Home Entertainment, Community Activities, and civil rights organizations. I found most of my research marital by conducting and listening to oral histories from people who were living here during the migration. I also look through books, state and regional archives, newspaper articles, and Oregon Historical Society archives.
Today I want to sure with you some of the things I have learned in the last 8 months of research. I chose these topics mainly because social clubs and entertainment doesn’t mean just having fun; the clubs and groups also provided a place where people could gather to help them adjust to the new environment, meet new people and feel connected to each other. And in the case of civil rights organizations, joining a group would mean working with others to push for changes in housing or education . When people came here they left their homes, families, and friends, which in some cases could be difficult. But having a place to go after work, like the nightclub the Red Cross provided for the servicemen or at 215 Main Street – the Colored Cotton Club – could make a difference in their lives.
First, Black Businesses: There were a number of different clubs and restaurants on Main Street, but one I was surprised to learn about was The Colored Cotton Club. I found the Articles of Incorporation for the Colored Cotton Club at the Regional Archives in Olympia. The articles indicate that the club was founded in 1944. The owners – William Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Henry Boyd, Frank Redding and Harvey Hopper – held their first organizational meeting on June 17, 1944. The Colored Cotton Club was located at 215 Main Street, and its offices were at 215 1/2. According to the Articles, the club planned to serve food, liquor, and fountain drinks in its lunch and dining rooms. The 1946-47 Vancouver City Directory listed the club as a restaurant. Perhaps customers also enjoyed dancing and music. An early Sanborn insurance company map from the Clark County Historical Museum indicated the building was a brick structure with a second floor. By looking at Metsker’s Atlas of Clark County, we know the Cotton Club was near the Columbia River waterfront. The Cotton Club stayed open for about 3 years. By 1948 the city directory lists 215 Main Street as the location of the Vancouver Saw Service and lists 215, as vacant. Today the Interstate 5 Bridge runs over the land on which The Colored Cotton Club once stood.
Community Recreation Centers: The Vancouver Housing Authority described the eight war projects’ community centers as entertaining and educational. Activities were scheduled around the clock to accommodate the shift workers. In 1944, attendance at the recreation centers reached 1,674,500 people, according to the VHA. At the rec centers visitors could participate in weekly dances, watch hundreds of movies, watch boxers and wrestlers, attend numerous parties, see circus shows with acrobats, attend cooking school and see a national radio broadcast. We don’t know how involved Blacks were in these activities, but they were open to all people. Narrator Florine Dufresne stated the Red Cross held dances for servicemen in the area now known as the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The activities were not just for servicemen, but for all who wanted to socialize.
Jantzen Beach Amusement Park was a very popular establishment during the summer for families. The Jantzen Beach Amusement Park provided fun activities for children of all ages, such as, roller coasters, merry-go rounds, and swimming. The Oregonian ran an article in which contemporary Portland artist Shamsud -Din talked about race restrictions at the pool. He remembered not being allowed to swim in the large pool at the park because it wasn’t open to the Black boys and girls.
When there were no community events families and friends got together in their homes to play games. Communities gathered to establish small basketball leagues that competed against each other. Other people played musical instruments or participated in organizations like the Scouts, joined baseball and track teams, and cheerleading squads. Narrator Florine Dufrense recalled kids signing up for church summer camps, while narrator Willard Nettles, Jr. remembered playing childhood games like hide and seek, “Strut Miss Lucy” and marbles. For some families just playing cards, board games, or taking walks to the nearest shopping center provided time together.
Civil Rights Organizations: Civil rights organizations provided an opportunity for working together. The Vancouver branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was established in 1945 to work on issues such as integrated housing and education. According to Val Joshua the local chapter fostered a sense of unity in Vancouver’s Black community. She stated: “To me [the NAACP] is a focal point of Black interaction. When there were educational meetings the rooms would overflow simply because of issues that people perceived that were real to them.” Val Joshua also said that since Vancouver never had an Urban League of its own many people traveled to Portland to participate in its Urban League functions.
There might not have been as many social and recreational things available to the blacks as there was for whites. But even when there wasn’t much to do for the newcomers, I think that black people still knew how to have a good time even with the little they did have. Even though their feelings and stories were not usually written down and kept as historical records doesn’t mean they did not exist. With every little access, people were happy, and those that weren’t moved back to their homes or over the river to Portland.
At times, this project was frustrating. It seemed like every source was going to be a dead end. I would spend 5-6 hours reading a book or going through tons of documents and would leave the library with little or no useful historical information. It was not easy, but in the end, it all came together and really worked out. Thank you.
Excerpts from Mary’s Exhibit Text
Entertainment in the 1940s The information in my exhibit has been created to assist the community in thinking about the many aspects of social groups and entertainment in the 1940s among the African Americans here in Vancouver, Washington. It is also my attempt to share some of the many stories that have been shared with me over the last few months of research. I have focused mainly on such aspects as identifying Black business ownership, the Bagley Downs recreation center, and the entertainment that took place in some of the homes of many African American families.Most of my information came from conducting and listening to oral histories from people who were living here during the migration, as well as books, state archives, newspaper articles, and Oregon Historical Society archives.
In this year-long project, it seemed like every book, document, and newspaper article was a dead end. I wanted to find specific information about the McLoughlin Heights recreation centers and the Colored Cotton Club, for instance, what types of people went? What kinds of activities did the recreation center and the club host? What did the buildings look like? Even though, I found little specific information about these areas, I discovered things I didn’t know before, for example, I learned there were Black-owned businesses in this city over half a century ago.
Florine Dufresne felt the entire community benefited from city’s racial diversity during the 1940s. People had the opportunity to learn more about cultural backgrounds and see similarities amongst themselves. Florine said, “Even when we see room for improvement we can’t overlook the good that people have done.” As you read some of the information laid out before you, you will learn how the World War II African American community adjusted to the adversity they faced here.
Black Business There were a number of different clubs and restaurants on Main Street, but a group of Black men named William Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Henry Boyd, Frank Redding and Harvey Hopper owned a social club for colored people at 215 Main Street called The Colored Cotton Club. In 1940 215 and 215, Main Street was the home of contractor J. Russell and Ethel Hill. By 1944 Articles of Incorporation obtained from the Regional Archives indicate the Colored Cotton Club, Inc. owners held their first organizational meeting on June 17, 1944. The Articles of Incorporation were approved on June 20, 1944. The club owner’s office was located at 215, Main Street.
According to the Articles the club planned to serve food, liquor, and fountain drinks in its lunch and dining rooms, and the 1946-47 Vancouver City Directory lists the club as a restaurant. Perhaps customers also enjoyed dancing and music. An early Sanborn insurance company map from the Clark County Historical Museum indicates the building was a brick structure with a second floor. By looking at Metsker’s Atlas of Clark County we know the Cotton Club was near the Columbia River waterfront.
The Cotton Club stayed open for about 3 years. By 1948 the city directory lists 215 Main Street as the location of the Vancouver Saw Service and lists 215, as vacant. Today the Interstate 5 Bridge runs over the land on which The Colored Cotton Club once stood.
“.off of Garrison, down where near Nature’s store is, there was Black man who had a nightclub there but I never did go, I heard about it.” -Belva Jean Griffin of Vancouver, interviewed by Christal Jenkins and Melissa Williams, April 30, 2001, Vancouver, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society.
“. those of us who came from the South and from other places brought a lot of that with us- clubs, sororities, organizations, some things that had never been heard of out here. We were the pioneers of a lot of the organizations that have come to the Northwest.” – Fannie Chatman of Portland, interviewed by Keri Conway and Melissa Williams, April 26, 2001, Portland, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society.
Church Exhibit Excerpts by Christal Jenkins
Community
“Church was about the biggest thing you had after school in the summer months, so I was glad to go to church.” -Val Joshua, interviewed by Mary Byrd, 25 March 2001, Vancouver, Washington, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, Washington.
There were two African American churches that originated in Vancouver in the 1940s: Vancouver Avenue Baptist and the New Hope Baptist Church. The churches met in the housing authority buildings. New Hope Baptist Church began as a community church with Reverend Moore serving as the pastor. Because it was on housing authority property no denominations were allowed, so the church was named The Community Church. According to narrator Jean Griffin it began in Bagely Downs and after Bagley Downs and Burtin Homes closed the church moved to McLouhglin Heights. After the buildings were dismantled the community church moved to Marshall School. The housing authority then gave them a warehouse building on 13th Street. Jean recalls after being there for several years the church moved to Portland off of Skidmore. The church still exists today in Portland at its home on 3725 N. Gantenbein.
Unity
“The place that I’m opposed to being judgmental or critical is in church.” -Floriene Dufresene, interviewed by Melissa Williams, 11 April 2001, Vancouver, Washington, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, Washington
“They would use a community building where someone would come in and give whatever message they had and people would just go. There were all kinds go denominations and you had this one service at like eleven o’clock in the morning, no night service. If you were going to church I think you just went.” -Fannie Chatman interviewed by Kerri Conway, 26 April 2001, Vancouver, Washington, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, Washington
Throughout the week it was a common ideal that the people worked hard, and in some cases struggled through adversity, and on Sunday the church provided a place for peace and fellowship. The church was a social gathering place where people could rest and relax from everything the week had brought to them. Jean Griffin noted that even though many people were unable to attend church service because of work, they still maintained a strong belief in God. The church was a place for worship and also guidance for youth by keeping them busy, with summer activities and Sunday school and when needed the church kept them right on track. It was church that brought the people together, with one purpose in mind and that was God. African Americans and other people alike found renewed strength in God. “Amongst church-going people of all races a bond sometimes formed.” Narrator Florine Dufresnse told a story about her friend Dr. Lieser and his assistance to a woman of color.
Integration
“Sunday at 11:00 o’clock was the most segregated hour.” -Val Joshua interviewed by Mary Byrd and Melissa Williams 19 April 2001, Vancouver, Washington, tape recording, to be archived at the Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, Washington
During the 1940s some churches were still segregated. At least one St. Paul Lutheran Church located downtown was recalled by narrator Florine Dufresne ” was always open and was always an integrated church.” But for the others that were not integrated, segregation was something that some just accepted. Narrator Jean Griffin felt that because “most [Black] people [in Vancouver] came from the South they were used to being segregated so it wasn’t like they came here and had to be segregated. It was something we knew was and we accepted it.” Even though schools were already integrated, it wasn’t until post-World War II that some people began to attempt religious integration. Florine Dufresne recalled, “We had forty-five junior high and high school students that two Clark College students helped me organize for a community church, because they wanted an integrated church.”
