Category Archives: African Americans

Aug. 28, 1947: Margaret Harris Debuts in Piano Recital at Age 3

Posted on August 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 28, 1947: At the age of 3, Margaret Rosezarian Harris was splashed across the front page of the Sentinel, which covered her concert of classical pieces at Chicago’s Carey AME Temple. “She was poised and showed no trace of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Black L.A. 1947: The Kappa Alpha Psis, Clora Bryant and a Certain Attorney

Posted on August 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Technical difficulties delayed posting until now. Aug. 28, 1947: Earl Griffin has little good to say about the recent Kappa convention. But he mentions Clora Bryant (a footnote in the Black Dahlia case) though as Clara Bryant. And there’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: The Kappa Alpha Psis, Clora Bryant and a Certain Attorney

Black L.A. 1947: First Black-Controlled Supermarket Opens

Posted on August 24, 2018 by lmharnisch

Central Avenue and 43rd Street, the site of the M and R Shopping Center, via Google Street View. Aug. 21, 1947: The Sentinel features the M and R Shopping Center, 4306 –4308 S. Central Ave. “This is the first super … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: Nellie Lutcher Leads Weekly Juke Box Hits

Posted on August 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 21, 1947: Nellie Lutcher’s “He’s a Real Gone Guy” again leads the weekly juke box hits, followed by “I Want to Be Loved” in versions by Savannah Churchill and Lionel Hampton.  No. 3 is “Sure Had a Wonderful Time” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: Nellie Lutcher Leads Weekly Juke Box Hits

Black L.A. 1947: A Guide to the Homes of Famous Black Entertainers

Posted on August 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Hattie McDaniel’s home at 2203 S. Harvard. Ethel Waters lived almost across the street, the Sentinel said. Via Google Street View.   The home of composer William Grant Still, 3670 Cimarron St., via Google Street View. Aug. 21, 1947: Sentinel … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: A Guide to the Homes of Famous Black Entertainers

Aug. 22, 1947: 5 L.A. Women Doctors Honored at Medical Convention

Posted on August 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Girls aspiring to careers should follow women physicians’ example—many have both satisfactory home and professional lives, Dr. E. Mae McCarroll of Newark, N.J., told National Medical … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Education, Medicine | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 22, 1947: 5 L.A. Women Doctors Honored at Medical Convention

Black L.A. 1947: Drag Ball Planned for the Avodon Ballroom in DTLA

Posted on August 16, 2018 by lmharnisch

The site of the Avodon Ballroom at 843 S. Spring St., via Google Street View.  Aug. 14, 1947: A drag ball is planned for the Avodon Ballroom, 843 S. Spring St. Although the Sentinel didn’t follow up on the event, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Dance, Downtown, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

August 16, 1947: L.A. Widow Says Louisiana Sheriff Failed to Protect Husband From Lynch Mob

Posted on August 16, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. His face and body were burned with a blowtorch so that his eyes popped out of his head. He was beaten with a wide, flat object, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans | Tagged , , | Comments Off on August 16, 1947: L.A. Widow Says Louisiana Sheriff Failed to Protect Husband From Lynch Mob

Black L.A. 1947: Nellie Lutcher’s ‘He’s a Real Gone Guy’ Leads This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on August 15, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 14, 1947: Nellie Lutcher’s “He’s a Real Gone Guy” is this week’s No. 1 juke box hit, according to Murray’s Record Shop, 1055 E. Vernon. “True Blues” by Roy Milton is No. 2. On the jump, Ask Evangeline helps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Columnists, Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Black L.A. 1947: ‘A Song Is Born’ a New High in Interracial Pictures

Posted on August 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 14, 1947: The Sentinel runs a feature on “A Song Is Born” (working title: “That’s Life”) in production at the Goldwyn studios. If the plot sounds a bit like “Ball of Fire,” also made by the Goldwyn studios, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: ‘A Song Is Born’ a New High in Interracial Pictures

Black L.A. 1947: L.A. Sentinel’s Lost Pages

Posted on August 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Aug. 7, 1947, issue of the Sentinel isn’t in the archives, so I won’t be posting this week. Tune in Aug. 14, when I’ll resume.

Posted in 1947, African Americans | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: L.A. Sentinel’s Lost Pages

Aug. 3, 1947: ‘Kingsblood Royal’ by Sinclar Lewis Leads Bestseller List

Posted on August 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. “Kingsblood Royal,” like “Gentleman’s Agreement,” deals with prejudice, in this case, discrimination against blacks. Lewis’ novel was criticized in some reviews for superficial characters and a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Books and Authors | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 3, 1947: ‘Kingsblood Royal’ by Sinclar Lewis Leads Bestseller List

Black L.A. 1947: Elizabeth Ingalls to Pay Dora Jones $6,000 in Slavery Case; Sentenced to Fine and Probation

Posted on August 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

July 31, 1947: The Sentinel’s front page is full of news: Elizabeth Ingalls is sentenced in the San Diego slavery case to a fine of $2,500, three years probation and a $6,000 payment to Dora Jones. The Sentinel also reports … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, San Diego | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Aug. 2, 1947: Los Angeles County Clerk Refuses Marriage License for Interracial Couple

Posted on August 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Her name was Andrea and she was 24. His name was Sylvester and he was 26, a World War II veteran working at Lockheed. And … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Aug. 2, 1947: Los Angeles County Clerk Refuses Marriage License for Interracial Couple

Black L.A. 1947: Kiwanis Refuses to Give Lottery Winner a New Cadillac Because He’s Black

Posted on August 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

This is a story that involves a $1 lottery ticket, a new Cadillac and an incredible amount of stupidity by members of an ostensibly charitable organization who were determined to uphold racist attitudes. And it really happened. The story, as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Black L.A. 1947: Hitting the Nightspots With ‘The Owl’

Posted on July 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

Eight black athletes are trying out for the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference. July 31, 1947: “The Owl,” the Sentinel’s nightlife columnist, visited the clubs, noting that the high prices of food and rent were taking a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: Hitting the Nightspots With ‘The Owl’

Black L.A. 1947: Elizabeth Ingalls Convicted in San Diego Slavery Case; Jury Deadlocks on Husband’s Guilt

Posted on July 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

July 24, 1947: The Sentinel reports that Elizabeth Ingalls was convicted on charges of holding Dora Jones in slavery. Sentencing was set for July 29. The jury deadlocked on charges against her husband, Albert. The Sentinel said that Dora Jones … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, San Diego | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: Elizabeth Ingalls Convicted in San Diego Slavery Case; Jury Deadlocks on Husband’s Guilt

Black L.A. 1947: Honor Student Vesta Belle Sapenter Strangled; Suspect Released

Posted on July 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

5320 Holmes Ave., in the Pueblo Del Rio housing project, via Google Street View.   July 24, 1947: The Sentinel reports that Benjamin Allen, 16, of 5217 McGarry St., is being held in the death of Vesta Belle Sapenter. Benjamin … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: The Story of Jimmie Lunceford’s Death

Posted on July 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Mike’s Waikiki Inn, 3741 S. Western Ave. 3741 S. Western Ave., via Google Street View. July 24, 1947: The Sentinel publishes an account of the death of bandleader Jimmie Lunceford. According to the article by Wendell Green, at dinner before … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: No Room on Athletes Plane for UCLA Track Star Lloyd LaBeach

Posted on July 24, 2018 by lmharnisch

Berman’s has the new “Rugby Lounge” suit. Only $65 ($737.81 in 2018 dollars). July 24, 1947: L.A. Sentinel columnist Edward Robinson has the story of UCLA track star Lloyd LaBeach, born in Panama to Jamaican parents, who came to Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Fashion, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black L.A. 1947: No Room on Athletes Plane for UCLA Track Star Lloyd LaBeach