Branch Rickey and Terre Haute, Indiana

Believe it or not, but Branch Rickey, noted president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson to the team in 1945, has a connection to Terre Haute, Indiana. Yes, that Jackie Robinson, who broke the “color barrier” in major league baseball.

Back to Branch. On June 20, 1903, Branch made his professional baseball introduction at Terre Haute’s Athletic Park. He played pro ball only four years before coaching at the University of Michigan while working on his law degree. Eventually, Branch moved to the “suit side” of baseball and introduced many innovative ideas for managing the sport.

You can learn more about Branch Rickey and his influence upon baseball, by checking out this article by Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick. This article is part of the “Wabash Valley Profiles, a series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference,” presented by First Financial Bank. Rickey’s tribute appeared in 1997.

Remembering a teacher and a coach

Around 1920, Oscar Edwards, a graduate of Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, won first place in the long jump at the IHSAA State Finals with a leap of 20 feet, 20-1/2 inches. Edwards not only made his mark around the track, but also in education.

A graduate of Indiana State Normal, Edwards earned a degree in physical education in 1929. He then started his master’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College, but left in 1931 when a job opened up at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. A physical education teacher, Edwards also coached football and basketball. Eventually, he earned graduate degrees from Indiana State Teachers College and Indiana University.

According to Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick, “Throughout his teaching career, Edwards was outspoken in his efforts to improve the academic environment for black children. His reputation for activism may have affected his advancement but, in 1963, he was named assistant principal at Miami’s George Washington Carver High School.”

McCormick shares Edwards’ story in “Wabash Valley Profiles, a series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.” This series was presented by First Financial Bank. Edwards’ tribute appeared in 2006.

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month and 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. In recognition of these two events, Wabash Valley Visions & Voices shares the following image of a daguerreotype showing an African-American soldier in full Union Army dress. A small, ornate case with soft material protects the image. To view this image more closely, click here.

The repository for this daguerreotype is the Vigo County Historical Society located at 1411 S. 6th St. in Terre Haute, Ind. To view more images from the historical society’s collection on WV3, click here.

Making a joyful noise

Take a close look at this circa 1905 photograph of the Allen Chapel AME Choir in Terre Haute, Indiana. Look at the faces of these women and men. What were their hopes and dreams? What were their concerns? How important was their faith? Why was singing so important to them?

Take another look at this photograph. Notice the wrinkles. They seem to add depth and texture to the image. Thank goodness, however, that the photo was digitized!

This photo is part of the private collection of Mark Shepard of Houston, Texas. Mark’s collection of photographs celebrates the heritage and community of African Americans in the Terre Haute area.

To view this image more closely, click here.

Remembering his dream

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, Wabash Valley Visions & Voices shares this program from the 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration Dinner at Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana. Those attending the dinner were welcomed by then-ISU President Dr. Lloyd Benjamin III. Miss Nicollette Whittington, Miss Ebony 2005-’06, served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The speaker for the evening was Mrs. Joyce Rogers, CEO/president of Indiana Black Expo. The oratory address, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” was delivered by the Rev. Elester Wilkerson of Danville, Illinois.

This program, in the Indiana State University Library collection, is available here.

Historic Hoosier hysteria

It’s winter in Indiana and that can mean one thing — it’s basketball time in the Hoosier state!

Pictured at right is the first basketball team at Booker T. Washington School, an African-American school in Terre Haute, Indiana. This photo, which is part of the collection of the Vigo County Historical Society, was taken in the early 1900s.

Booker T. Washington School was used as an alternative school in recent years until a new facility was built and the students moved there in the fall of 2010. The old building, which is located at 1201 S. 13th Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the documentation with the photograph, the first person on the second row left is the late entertainer Scatman (Benjamin Sherman) Crothers.

To view this photo more closely, click here.

African American heritage in Terre Haute

Mark Shepard of Houston, Texas, has generously shared part of his collection of images celebrating the African American community in Terre Haute with Wabash Valley Visions & Voices. The photograph at left is one such image.

The Jones Pharmacy was the only African American owned and operated pharmacy in Terre Haute. It was founded by Dr. Winton D. Jones Sr., a graduate of the Butler University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Jones opened his drug store on the corner of 13th Street and College Avenue in 1925. In 1942, he built the pictured pharmacy at 1024 South 14th Street. Dr. Jones remained at this location until 1977.

To view other images from the Mark Shepard collection, click here.