Black History series - by Susie Sansom-Piper

index to Black History month articles
Written by Susie Sansom-Piper and
published in the Rockdale Reporter

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, SERIES 9, PART 2

Editor’s note: This is the second article in the ninth series of “On the Other Side of

the Tracks, a Black History Month series by former Rockdale resident, and longtime

teacher, Susie Sansom-Piper.

Education, jobs and that ‘chicken roost’

By SUSIE SANSOM-PIPER

Reporter contributor

These are memories and recollections given to me by my parents, my experiences, and

information from many of the now deceased older people.

This also portrays events leading to the finality of living on “the other side of the

tracks,” to September 1966, when life began “On Both Sides of the Tracks.”

PRE-WAR — And then came the late thirties and early forties. For special recreation, the

Matson “moving picture” theater became available, but seating for blacks was only

available to blacks in a small “upstairs section” near the movie machines, which were

often noisy. Many labeled this section as the “chicken roost.”

There were no available restrooms, and if urgency became necessary, you were free to go

outside to a hidden place, but you had to pay again to get back inside.

The local Fair Park was available for Juneteenth Celebrations, but restroom facilities

were especially labeled. “Whites Only” and “Blacks Only!”

There will always be a fondness for the wonderful singers who existed during this era,

for each church had explosive talent.

Some of these singers were: Lillie Johnson, Pearl Davis and Ardie Judy at New Hope

Baptist Church; Minnie Fair, Earnestine Mays and Narvia Smith at Springfield Baptist

Church, and Courtney Cummings and Mittie Allen at Allen Chapel A. M. E.

Sunday night musicals were a traditional part of community worship during these years.

A male quartet was usually invited as an out-oftown guest for these occasions.

Schools were separated by race also, and the “colored school” only operated through Grade

10, and generally lasted for 8 months.

SCHOOLING — Before 1936, students who had a desire to finish high school had to secure a

room with someone in Cameron, and attend the Cameron Colored School.

It was during the tenure of Principal Shanks that the first “unlicensed” kindergarten was

established.

These students were in the same room with grades 9-10, but were taught by Prof. Shanks to

read, cursive writing, and arithmetic.

This group consisted of five girls and one boy. Prof. Shanks not only taught school and

served as principal, but he pedaled fresh fish on weekends.

He was also a great promoter of family values; for to begin a school week, two songs, a

prayer, and special announcements were held in the auditorium for all students.

The same routine ended a school week on Friday afternoons.

Many of these early students became teachers or principals of various schools.

Vivian Jones, James Battle, Ardelia West, Marcella Cavil, Alma Richards, Laura Moultrie,

Ponie Miller, Zelma Hill, Itasca Cavil, Courtney Nelson, Vernice McKee and Audrey Lewis

were among the Shanks graduates who later entered the world of teaching.

Many students of this era entered various work categories, but the community as a whole,

had an excellent “getting along” way of living together.

COFFIELD — During the late 30’s or early 40’s, Oil Entrepreneur, the late H. H. Coffield

built a new ice house, turkey dressing plant and office building on the north side of the

railroad tracks.

His office faced Main Street.

His varieties of business activities provided an additional working income for the black

community and surrounding rural areas. The entire building yet stands, but the ice house

and turkey plant no longer exist.

Yet, these positive attributes contributed worthiness to the community on the other side

of the tracks, for the spirit of love and cooperation still remains.

Index

H. H. Coffield ice house, just north of tracks, provided many jobs.

.