Marion In the 1920s

Gambling

Lovers lane

Marion in the 1920s

Klan

Depression Economy was bad

Prohibition, speakeasies

Grant County thrived after the turn of the century. The gas boom of the 1890s brought people to the area. Marion was touting itself as the Queen City in the gas belt (Madison, p.31). However, by the early 1900s the gas boom was over, yet the area continued to gain in population. Factories and businesses began to form.

Marion, Indiana in the 1920s was a small community, a working class town nestled in the farmland of Grant County. Industry began to shape the landscape of the once Indian dominated territory. Factories of every type, for example, shoe, glass, and foundries to name a few began to spring up drawing newcomers from southern Indiana, Kentucky, and the all black community of Weaver to Marion for work. Marion appeared idealistic and presented a “picture of comfort, prosperity, and progress” (Madison, 2001). In the mist of this industrial revolution in the heartland, community niches remained tight and exclusive and your reputation was everything.Ask the residence of this small community about life in the 1920’s and one will hear different viewpoints based on the societal factor of race.

The 1920’s commonly referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” was a cultural liberation period with rapidly changing lifestyles, prosperity, and technological advancements. The visual image of Flappers in short frilly dresses in a smoked filled jazz room conjure up images of a more progressive society. Gambling, speakeasies, and bootlegged liquor was ever present throughout the city. The Sheriff did little to nothing to enforce prohibition (Madison, 2001). Across the landscape of the county one could find in home stills and secret saloons, as wellas establishments of ill repute. However, the city touted a more wholesome picture. A city church dominated by law abiding, hardworking citizens.

    In the 1920’s, Marion black population was approximately 5 percent of the total 

population in the town (Madison, 2001). While the town had a black doctor, shops and a grocery store owned by those of color, the color line within the city was drawn. White citizens lived in North Marion. The town’s swimming pool at the park was off limits to the black residents. By most accounts the city of Marion was segregated if not be literal interpretation certainly by social expectation. While technological progress seemed inevitable, social equality and progress was at a standstill.

     In the book Women of the Klan, the author’s (Blee) described Indiana as one of the 

most “racially, culturally, and religiously homogeneous states” (p.7, 1991). The Klan eventhough hid beneath a sheet to the outside community was ever present in the community most white people personally knew of or had a family member involved with the Klu Klux Klan, including elected officials such as the Sheriff. While slavery had been abolished for years, nonetheless black people were still treated as disposable. When wrongdoingssuch as robberies and shootings occurred the proverbial black man was customarily accused and railroaded into a convection or a crime he most likely did not commitment based solely on the color of his skin. As Carr (2006) so poetically described in her book, “Racism will always manifest in violent ways to preserve itself” (p. 153).

    The advent of Ford’s Model T cars made owning a car more affordable. Cars brought an 

easy of mobility to travel. Many Americans selected the cost efficient, free will choice of travelling by automobile (Scott, 2011). Young couples looking to get away from their families began flocking to a remote areas commonly referred to as, “Lovers Lane.” These lover hot spots were typical remote areas that cars could easily get into and out of quickly. Unfortunately, love was not always in the minds of those venturing to “Lovers Lane” (Carr, 2006). Occasionally, petty thieves would pray on the love struck naive visitors stealing money. Marion elected a new Mayor in 1929. Mayor Edwards seem to overlook the fifteen to twenty blind tigers and blind pigs which are establishments that illegally sell alcohol as well as speakeasies and roadhouses in Marion (Madison, 2001). In Madison’s book, Edwards confessed he frequented some of these establishments. Immortality seemed pervasive throughout the county while law enforcement appeared unconcerned with enforcing prostitution, gambling, or prohibition laws. The high life of the 1920s abruptly came to a haltin 1929 when the stock market crashed. Black Tuesday as it is known was a worldwide downturn in the economy.The banking system failed and unemployment was widespread.Unemployment went from virtually zero in August in 1929 to 25% by August of 1932 as noted in the graph below.

(http://int.danville.k12.pa.us/teacherweb/aberkey/US_History/Effects_of_the_Great_Depression.html).

Abled body workers went from factory to factory looking for work and no work was to be found. Wages were lowered, Many citizens lost their farms and homes. Families did not have enough food to feedeveryone in the family. Food lines became a way of life. Soup kitchens were at capacity during meal time. Many men became peddlers selling trinkets and working for food.Shantytowns were made of scavenged materials popped up throughout the country (Kennedy, Cohen, & Bailey, 2008). People were affected financially and psychologically as joblessness caused helplessness and self-doubt (Weiser, 2003). The depression brought progress to a halt. Marion was being redefined.While many citizens struggled to survive, a glimmer of hope shined through in these bleak days. A sense of community developed within the neighborhoods and churches.

References Blee, K. M. (1991). Women of the Klan: Racism and Gender in 1920s. Berkeley: University of California Press. Carr, C. (2006).Our Town: A Heartland Lynching, a Haunted Town, and the Hidden History of White America. New York: Three Rivers Press. Kennedy, D. M., Cohen, L., & Bailey, T. (2008). American Pageant (14th ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Madison, J. H. (2001). A Lynching in the Heartland: Race and Memory in America. New York: Palgrave MacMillan. Scott, R. (2011). The Roaring Twenties: A Historical Snapshot of Life in the 1920’s. Retrieved from http://www.1920-30.com. Smith, C. (Writer) &Smith, C. (Director). (2011). The Gospel According to James.(Play). Indianapolis: Indiana Repertory Theatre. Weiser, K (2003). Legends of America.Retrieved from http://www.LegendsofAmerica.com.