PhilaStories

Phillip Seitz - Part 1 - Jim and Aaron Fight Back

I spoke with Phillip at his home in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. He told the story of two Whitehall plantation slaves owned by Benjamin Chew, Jim 18 years old and Aaron 16 years old, who seek retribution on Overseer George Ford. Although Jim and Aaron are punished, their action provided the other slaves a brief respite from their brutal conditions. Learn more about Phillip's work at his website, TheHistoryteller.

 

 

Google Maps: Cliveden

Lloyd Ama - Our Name was Amakawa not Ama

I spoke with Lloyd Ama at his daughter's home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd is 92 years old. He was born in his parents house located in South Philadelphia at 1244 S. 15th street on September 17, 1917. His mother, Ada Adams, was born in 1883 in Wilmington, North Carolina. His father, Kushi Amakawa, was born in 1873 in Kobe, Japan. Lloyd talks about his parents meeting for the first time and the disappearance of his father.


Google Maps: 1244 S. 15th Street

Lloyd Edwards' Meets Battalion Chief Davis

I spoke with Lloyd Edwards at his home in Roxborough. Lloyd entered the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1960 and retired in 1988. When he became a firefighter he had not heard of Engine 11 or Captain Davis. One of his fellow fireman, Walt Johnson, told him a few stories about Captain Davis and Engine 11. He didn't know it at the time, 1962-63, but he was about to have a personal introduction to now Battalion Chief Davis.

Google Maps: 33rd &Girard Avenue

Passing On

I now realize that the stories I'm collecting from my father's former colleagues have meaning for me and my family. I made this video as part of the Digital Storytelling Workshop held in Philadelphia, September 26 - 28, 2008.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

On a Whim Alfred Ward Joins the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1950

Alfred Ward was born in 1928 and was raised in South Philadelphia. I spoke with Alfred at his home in Mount Airy. Alfred joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on a whim in 1950 and retired 28 years later. He talks about how he went about learning to be a fireman at a time when training began the first day on the job.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Alfred is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Clarence Brogden - Desegregation in the Philadelphia Fire Department Begins in 1949

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. His mother was born on an Indian reservation in South Carolina. I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he tells us that Engine 11 fireman were starting to be transferred to formerly all white firehouses.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Clarence Brogden: Joins The Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he talks about his early days in the fire department.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Ama - Crossing The South Street Bridge Riding or Running

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Ama at Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They tell us about the street games they played in the '30's growing up in West and South Philadelphia respectively, and some of the places they visited in the city.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Google Maps: Ruby Street, 15th & Wharton Street

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Ama - Captain Davis Was All Fireman

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Ama At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They talk about Captain James G. Davis who instilled pride and camaraderie among the men at Engine 11 through discipline.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photographs.

Google Maps: Engine 11
 

Walter Lindsay - This Was the First Time We Had Whites in the Ranks

I spoke with Walter Lindsay at his home in South Jersey. Walter Lindsay worked in the Philadelphia Fire Department from 1950 until 1977 when he retired as Battalion Chief. Walter talks about the start of desegregation at Engine 11 in 1952.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Ama - A Lot Of Them Oldtimers Didn't Know How To Drive

I spoke with Lloyd Ama, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. Lloyd became the driver of the fire engine by default.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Ama - Salary $1900 a Year, Hours Unlimited

I spoke with Lloyd Ama, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only.

Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Waldo Gentry - Being Detailed From Engine 11

I spoke with Waldo at his home in West Philadelphia. In his second story Waldo talks about being detailed from Engine 11 to Engine 5 when it was located at 37th & Ludlow Street.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Waldo is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Waldo Gentry - Do You Want To See Where The Colored Fireman Work?

I spoke with Waldo in his home in West Philadelphia. In his first story Waldo talks about visiting Engine 11 as a child and beginning training as a fireman in Philadelphia on December 1, 1950.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was segregated from 1919 - 1952. African-American firemen were assigned to Engine 11 on South Street. Waldo is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Here a few more Engine 11 photos

Google Maps: Engine 11

Butterball - Dreaming of Becoming the Next James Brown

I spoke with Marvin Dunbar, aka Butterball, at my home. Marvin talks about how he got his nickname and growing up in North Philadelphia. He goes on to describe how he obtained the funds to start his first musical group that was modeled after James Brown.

Google Maps: 12th & Poplar Sts.

Worm - Slippery When Wet

I spoke with Worm at his home. He tells us the story of how he got his nickname. He describes his first job as a kid and what he did with his first pay.

Google Maps: 22nd & Ingersoll Sts.