Tags: oral history

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.

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. She came to Philadelphia as a child. His father was born and raised in South Philadelphia.

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma 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.

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma 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.

I spoke with Walter Lidsay 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.

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.

I spoke with Walter at his home in West Philadelphia. In his second story Walter 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. Walter is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.