Desegregation at Hamilton Park School | Oral History

Desegregation at Hamilton Park School

OH 0808

Businessman, contractor. His role in the development of Hamilton Park, Texas, during the 1950s. Efforts of Dallas Home Builders Association to establish residential neighborhoods for African Americans; role of Karl Hoblitzelle and Hoblitzelle Foundation; Dallas Citizens Interracial Association; selection of Hamilton Park site; role of Jerome Crossman; T. J. Hayman and Associated Construction Company; role of Carr P. Collins and Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company in furnishing mortgage money.

OH 0817

Community leaders. Their experiences as residents of Hamilton Park, Texas, 1956-90. Desegregation of the Hamilton Park School; decision to purchase a home in Hamilton Park; transportation problems; work experiences and racism; Band Parents Club; church activities; PTA activities; Hamilton Park Civic League; interorganizational council and political activities; social clubs; the “Buy-Out.”

OH 0697

Teacher, community leader. Her experiences concerning the desegregation of the Hamilton Park, Texas, schools and integration with the Richardson Independent School District.

OH 0716

Public school administrator. His experiences concerning the desegregation of the Hamilton Park, Texas, school and the establishment of the Pacesetter program. Educational background and administrative positions held; federal desegregation guidelines; establishment of attendance zones; role of H.E.W.; closing of Hamilton Park High School; decision of Fifth Circuit Court; controversy over busing; decision to establish Pacesetter at Hamilton Park.

OH 0826

Airline employee, community leader. His experiences as a resident of Hamilton Park, Texas, 1956-90. Early life in East Texas; employment in Dallas; service in U.S. Navy during World War II; job promotions with Braniff; African-American housing in Dallas; decision to purchase home in Hamilton Park, 1956; flooding problems; shopping in the community; traffic and access problems; social activities; church activities; Civil League; Hamiltonians; Interorganizational Council; political activities; zoning controversies, Willowdell Park; the “Buy Out.”

OH 0703

Airline employee, community leader. His role in the desegregation of the Hamilton Park, Texas, school and integration with the Richardson Independent School District.

OH 0724

Retired communications technician, community leader. His experiences concerning the desegregation of the Hamilton Park, Texas, school and integration with the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) during the 1960s and 1970s. Hamilton Park Civic League; conditions at the Hamilton Park School; Civil Rights Act of 1964 and RISD’s compliance; creation of biracial zones; role of H.E.W. in the desegregation process; student adjustments to desegregation; role of the Interorganizational Council in the desegregation

OH 0965

Schoolteacher. Her experiences as a resident of Hamilton Park, Texas, 1959-91. Youth in East Texas; education in segregated schools; decision to move to Hamilton Park; home improvements; church activities; Hamilton Park School; flooding problems; desegregation of Hamilton Park School and coming of Pacesetter; violations of deed restrictions; zoning problems; the “Buy Out”; recent changes in the neighborhood.

OH 0871

Physician. His experiences as a resident of Hamilton Park, Texas, in 1950s and 1960s. Childhood and education in Dallas; medical school at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, 1942-45; Army career; segregated housing in Dallas; discrimination against African-American physicians; dealing with the white power structure in Dallas; civil rights activities; decision to build home in Hamilton Park; Hamilton Park School and quality of education; comments about Karl Hoblitzelle; zoning problems; school desegregation; Pacesetter; decision to leave Hamilton Park.

OH 0903

Schoolteacher, secretary. Her experiences as a resident of Hamilton Park, Texas, 1963-79. Education; decision to buy home in Hamilton Park; substitute teaching at Hamilton Park School; church activities; desegregation and closing of Hamilton Park High School; Pacesetter; Interorganizational Council; president of Civic League; traffic access problems; flooding problems; deed restrictions; zoning controversies; decision to move out of Hamilton Park.