Discrimination and segregation against people of color was prominent on the line, though there is almost no record of it. Essentially, there are only two known sources.
The Klan Charter Car
The first, in The Oberlin Review, published February 29, 1924, alludes to it.1This article, available in full below, demonstrates the state of discrimination on the line in two ways. The first of which is shown in the car having been chartered to the Ku Klux Klan. This demonstrates the company’s deference to the status-quo. The fact that the chef who worked in Oberlin College’s kitchens was allowed on the line, demonstrates that, while segregated, people of color were permitted on the line. Also demonstrated here is the dedication of the employees of the line to keeping all riders safe.
Charles W. Follis
The other evidence comes from Charles W. Follis’ career. Charles W. Follis was the first Black American professional football player, as well a baseball player. A graduate of Wooster High School and Wooster University, now the College of Wooster, his storied career included a brief stint as a baseball player for the Wooster Giants, one of the Trolley League teams. As previously mentioned, the Trolley League capitalized on the interurban’s connectivity to have both teams and fans travel, in this case including Charles W. Follis.2
While there is no exact record, given the standard of the time, people of color were likely relegated to the back of the streetcar.
Freight Services
Citations
- “Kolored Kook Accompanies Ku Kluxers.” February 29, 1924. https://cdm15963.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15963coll9/id/174357/rec/78.
↩︎ - Fort Hays State University, and Mark Eberle. Integrated Baseball in Ohio, 1891–1907: Chavous, Harrison, Fountain, and Follis. Table 3, Page 198. Fort Hays State University, 2023. https://doi.org/10.58809/NLBE2842.
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