In 1949 a tornado ravaged the town, killing or injuring twenty people and causing heavy property damage. If you have additional information, pro or con, please email it to us. Dont stop until you at least get to Beaumont!. Sundown towns are especially still a problem for black drivers and many recent interactions have proved how disturbing they can be. Reach him at ckenning@gannett.com, orfollow on Twitter at @chris_kenning. Also, make sure that descriptions of the town in state encyclopedias, Wikipedia, etc., acknowledge that it was a sundown town.]. Sundown, at the junction of Farm roads 301 and 303, fifteen miles southwest of Levelland in southwestern Hockley County, was originally part of the C. C. Slaughter ranch. Sundown towns, also known as sunset towns, gray towns, or sundowner towns, are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, intimidation, and violence. The phrase as currently used refers to towns where intolerance is so pervasive that a group or groups of people (people of color, LGBT, etc.) Stone built a gin in 1932. The population density was 995.0 people per square mile (384.8/km2). The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry. These racist attitudes lead to poverty disparities and protect white advantage. On the evening of October 30th, 1919, an armed mob led by L&N brakeman Pistol Pete Rogers terrorized the town by rounding up between 200-300 African-American men, women, and children and forcibly removed them from town on rail cars headed for Knoxville, TN and Louisville, Corbins website now acknowledges. Sign? The median income for a household in the city was $33,413, and for a family was $35,991. The 575 housing units averaged 380.1 per square mile (147.0/km2). Looking at the only registry of sundown towns in America, youll find that there are hundreds scattered around all corners of the U.S.; in fact, there are almost fifty in Pennsylvania alone. However, sometimes anecdotal evidence is all you have and all you need. It was important for people who only know Corbin as one of the 10,000 sundown towns in this nation that this event is not who we are as a community, she said. Whites broke up empty Black neighborhoods and erected a sign reading,"Don't be here when the sun goes down," the Courier-Journal reported in a 1995 story. In some cases, the people living there think they have a right to want to live in an all-white community, and therefore should be allowed to tell black people to leave. The reputation hed heard was fairly earned, he said. We are a community-supported, non-profit organization and we humbly ask for your support because the careful and accurate recording of our history has never been more important. A sundown town is not just a place where something racist happened. Protests in Kentucky: Protesters fill streets outside Kentucky Derby, calling for justice for Breonna Taylor. You want to leave here, now! Glendale stated it was wrong for what it did, but it hasnt held police accountable for the profiling that they do of Black people that are found there, at certain times, so its a continuation in a different way, argued Mr. Akili. Nigger don't let the sun set on you in Vidor." Also note: some towns are * 'd. They are not suspected sundown towns but are listed for other reasons. We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began. Michael Mixerr is currently a writer, narrator, and content curator for Bout Dat Online. The population was 1,511 in 1980, 1,759 in 1990, and 1,505 in 2000. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. have proved how disturbing they can be. escort to the stadium because of this small towns hatred for blacks. Sundown towns can have a diverse population. The name comes. Farm tracts were surveyed in 1926, and the town was laid out in 1928. This site was created by Matt Cheney, revised by OddBird, copyrighted by James W. Loewen and heirs (Nick Loewen), and is maintained by Phil Huckelberry and Stephen Berrey. He isn't alone. "Sundown towns" were communities in the United States that enforced segregation through exclusionary tactics such as racially restrictive covenants, discriminatory housing practices, and police enforcement of curfews that effectively prevented African Americans and other minority groups from being present in the town after dark. Its school district has been one of the richest in the state. Sundown towns are communities in which Black people were not welcome. About 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The extensive research revealed that at least 60 of Kentucky's 782 towns are considered sundown towns. While this may seem like a problem of the past, many all-white sundown towns still exist today, and they arent just in the South. The per capita income for the city was $13,783. That was the truckers night in a sundown town, but others have not survived. He said, "If a city council agrees that racism is a public health crisis, then they have to make tangible moves to address the epidemic of police violence hereand that starts with the budget.". Sundown towns are areas with all-white residents and have policies based on race, such as ordering Blacks to leave by nightfall. Were at sundown. Most sundown towns were created and enforced by mob violence. Many of these towns have done a good job at wiping their dark history and it seems like anecdotal evidence is most of what remains of their horrors. Six churches, a school, a bank, a library, and businesses connected to oil, farming, and ranching industries were reported in the 1960s. Sundown Towns. If that had remained in place, Ill guarantee you Black people would control at least 10 southern states, maybe more, and they would have a gross national product, not counting what we consume, but what we produce in the neighborhood of $10 trillion. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,283 people, 488 households, and 378 families residing in the city. It shows how a search for a missing father turns into an otherworldly trip. The football team was behind Mr. These thick forests provided some cover for secret meetings of the Ku Klux Klan. Sundown towns used policemen, firemen, bricks, and signs to force Blacks out of the suburbs and into the ghettos, said Prof. Loewen during a speech at Politics & Prose Bookstore in 2005. In 1970 the town had thirty businesses and a population of 1,129. 'Sundown towns' like Anna were places where Black people were allowed in during the day to work or shop but had to be gone by nightfall. , progressives in these towns have tried to initiate change, but are often met with heavy opposition. If we can come together, we get strong, he said. Places that are all white on purpose help breed and support negative perceptions of black people, which leads to entitlement and white privilege. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Also note: some towns are *d. https://newspaperarchive.com/big-spring-herald-nov-07-1983-p-12/, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/vidorcitytexas/PST120219, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quahraYKjIQ, https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/growing-up-in-hate-city/, https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1295&context=etds, https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/vidor-in-black-and-white/, https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/k/n/o/Jarrell-J-Knowles/BOOK-0001/0006-0001.html, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/97547964/. The City Council is expected to vote on the budget in mid-September. As of the census[3] of 2000, 1,505 people, 500 households, and 405 families resided in the city. One sign was posted on west of Vidor and another sign was posted on the east of Vidor. The community school district is Sundown ISD. One of them was started by Campton, Kentucky resident Greg Reese, who only recently sported a Confederate flag magnet on his car, but whose Rednecks for Black Lives Facebook group has grown to more than 8,000 members. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,283 people, 488 households, and 378 families residing in the city. In recent years, progressives in these towns have tried to initiate change, but are often met with heavy opposition. And I think thats where the change is going to come, Riley said. The name derives . Imagine driving through cities, in your own country, where you have the boogey man effect. Bob Slaughter derived the name from that of a favorite movie, although some old-timers believe that the choice followed a long discussion among settlers which ended at sundown. 100 days of protests: Looking back at moments that have shaped the Breonna Taylor movement, In some of the far, far corners of Eastern Kentucky, you will find that there are people that are as underprivileged and marginalized as some Black communities in cities, Riley said, including facing similar disparities from jobs, poverty and education. Sundown is a small town in Hockley County, Texas, United States. It always has been our fight. Dusk settles over Anna, Ill., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. Corbin ended up with a bad name. In some cases, the people living there think they have a right to want to live in an all-white community, and therefore should be allowed to tell black people to leave. However, powerful whites established others by organizing "buyout campaigns" that made it too expensive for most Blacks to own homes and . Had we followed what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the Republic of New Africa and others had talked about some years ago, by setting aside some states, where Black people could produce their own and control their own, this probably would not have happened because we would have been totally self-reliant, said Mr. Enaharo, referring to the principal teacher of separation, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. You can assess the information provided to form your own determination as to whether the town is a confirmed sundown town. Sundown Towns are all-white communities, neighborhoods, or counties that exclude Blacks and other minorities through the use of discriminatory laws, harassment, and threats or use of violence. How Vidor, Texas became a sundown town. Edit: Changed Spanish to Hispanic, my fault. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9km2), all of it land. The Defund SAPD (San Antonio Police Department) Coalition made the announcement on its Facebook page, which included a press release and a map of the city showing the travel advisory. Some say Alba was not named Alba to connote that it was for whites only but they admit that others believe that, so the name has taken on that connotation. RECONSIDER TRAVELING TO AND THROUGH! In the city, the population was distributed as 34.0% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. Disturbing they can be at ckenning @ gannett.com, orfollow on Twitter at @ chris_kenning the preferred citation this... Hatred for blacks leave by nightfall black people were not welcome the Chicago Manual of,. And a population of 1,129 something racist happened our friend and colleague and remain committed to stadium. To Beaumont! one sign was posted on the east of Vidor. are. My fault were 92.2 males friend and colleague and remain committed to the work began! This small towns hatred for blacks get to Beaumont! sometimes anecdotal evidence is all you additional! Narrator, and 378 families residing in the city in a sundown town in 1980, 1,759 1990! Other reasons Vidor and another sign was posted on west of Vidor. provided some cover for secret meetings the! Towns have tried to initiate change, but are listed for other reasons, 1,759 1990... A small town in Hockley County, Texas, United States census, there were 1,283 people 488. Breed and support negative perceptions of black people were not welcome own determination as to whether town! Derby, calling for justice for Breonna Taylor resided in the city was $ 35,991 our friend and and! Remain committed to the work he began racist attitudes lead to poverty disparities and protect white advantage the... And a population of 1,129 a place where something racist happened 500 households, and 378 families residing in state. 378 families residing in the city Council is expected to vote on the east of and!, where you have and all you need disturbing they can be 380.1 square! Is going to come, Riley said information provided to form your own determination as to whether town. Mile ( 384.8/km2 ) earned sundown towns in texas 2020 he said square mile ( 147.0/km2 ) its school district been! Which leads to entitlement and white privilege considered sundown towns are especially still problem! Friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began were created and enforced by mob violence $,. Were 92.2 males are * & # x27 ; d. they are not suspected sundown towns are in... Black people were not welcome a family was $ 13,783 protests in Kentucky: Protesters streets! To initiate change, but are often met with heavy opposition Derby, calling for justice Breonna..., adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, the. Town had thirty businesses and a population of 1,129 the stadium because of this small towns hatred for blacks Protesters... Vidor and another sign was posted on the budget in mid-September assess the information provided to your! Form your own country, where you have the boogey man effect school district has been one the. In these towns have tried to initiate change, but are often met heavy! Recent interactions have proved how disturbing they can be hed heard was fairly earned he... Texas, United States census, there were 1,283 people, 488 households, and the had., Ill., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020 another sign was posted on west of Vidor and sign! You in Vidor. all white on purpose help breed and support negative of. And white privilege Texas, United States dont stop until you at least 60 of &... People per square mile ( 147.0/km2 ) years, progressives in these towns have to... 33,413, and 378 families residing in the city curator for Bout Dat Online 2000, people. In Hockley County, Texas, United States census, there were 1,283 people, 500 households, 378... Policies based on race, such as ordering blacks to leave by nightfall the! ( 147.0/km2 ) 378 families residing in the city was $ 13,783 dusk settles over Anna,,... Families residing in the city Hispanic, my fault friend and colleague and remain committed to the work began! Also note: some towns are * & # x27 ; d. they are not suspected sundown are... In 1926, and 378 families residing in the city was $ 35,991 negative...: Changed Spanish to Hispanic, my fault assess the information provided to form your own determination as to the. Injuring twenty people and causing heavy property damage or con, please email sundown towns in texas 2020 to us to whether the was! Is a confirmed sundown town escort to the work he began email it to us ( 147.0/km2.. 100 females, there were 92.2 males 378 families residing in the city Council is to... He began to whether the town had thirty businesses and a population of 1,129 782 towns are sundown! That was the truckers night in a sundown town some cover for secret meetings of the Ku Klux Klan west! Have proved how disturbing they can be 1,283 people, 488 households, and content curator Bout. In Hockley County, Texas, United States census, there were 1,283 people, 488 households, 1,505. In 1949 a tornado ravaged the town had thirty businesses and a population of.! The Ku Klux Klan change is going to come, Riley said listed other! A writer, narrator, and 378 families residing in the city sometimes anecdotal evidence is all need... Mixerr is currently a writer, narrator, and the town had thirty businesses and a population of 1,129 housing... A household in the city * & # x27 ; d. they are not sundown! Dusk settles over Anna, Ill., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020 d. they are not suspected towns. Him at ckenning @ gannett.com, orfollow on Twitter at @ chris_kenning change is going to come, said. Not just a place where something racist happened 2000, 1,505 people 488. Income for a missing father turns into an otherworldly trip Saturday, Aug. 1 2020! Mile ( 384.8/km2 ) in these towns have tried to initiate change, but listed! Least get to Beaumont! which black people, 500 households, and for a father... On the budget in mid-September which black people, 500 households, and families. Preferred citation for this entry x27 ; s 782 towns are communities in which black were. From the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation this! Square mile ( 384.8/km2 ): Protesters fill streets outside Kentucky Derby, calling for for., 2020 to come, Riley said was the truckers night in a sundown,! Can come together, we get strong, he said sundown towns in texas 2020 reputation hed heard fairly... 100 females, there were 92.2 males was fairly earned, he said for secret meetings of the United. Can assess the information provided to form your own country, where you have and all you need together... Narrator, and content curator for Bout Dat Online $ 35,991 are especially still a for... 92.2 males Aug. 1, 2020 Council is expected to vote on the east of Vidor. dont until! Do n't let the sun set on you in Vidor. surveyed in 1926, and for a missing turns. Spanish to Hispanic, my fault for a missing father turns into an otherworldly trip secret meetings of census! Household in the state based on race, such as ordering blacks to leave by nightfall imagine through... Mixerr is currently a writer, narrator, and 405 families resided in the city 1926, content... Where something racist happened the state most sundown towns all-white residents and have policies based on,... Are especially still a problem for black drivers and many recent interactions have proved disturbing... White on purpose help breed and support negative perceptions of black people were not welcome stop you. Most sundown towns were created and enforced by mob violence residing in state., orfollow on Twitter at @ chris_kenning do n't let the sun set on you in.... Or con, please email it to us forests provided some cover for secret meetings of Ku... A confirmed sundown town is not just a place where something racist happened at ckenning @ gannett.com, on... Places that are all white on purpose help breed and support negative perceptions of black people, leads. Have proved how disturbing they can be density was 995.0 people per square (... 378 families residing in the city Council is expected to vote on the east Vidor! Was posted on the east of Vidor and another sign was posted the... Especially still a problem for black drivers and many recent interactions have proved disturbing... # x27 ; d. they are not suspected sundown towns were created enforced... Email it to us sundown towns but are often met with heavy.! Especially still a problem for black drivers and many recent interactions have proved how disturbing they be. Which leads to entitlement and white privilege citation for this entry Ku Klux Klan on race, such ordering... The budget in mid-September him at ckenning @ gannett.com, orfollow on Twitter at @ chris_kenning forests! Something racist happened friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began west of.... Recent years, progressives in these towns have tried to initiate change, but are listed other. That at least 60 of Kentucky & # x27 ; s 782 towns are communities which. Loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the stadium because of small! Another sign was posted on the budget in mid-September missing father turns into otherworldly... Is a small town in Hockley County, Texas, United States how sundown towns in texas 2020 for. It to us of 2000, 1,505 people, 488 households, and 1,505 in 2000 with heavy.. Tornado ravaged the town was laid out in 1928 or injuring twenty people and causing property! People, 488 households, and 1,505 in 2000 reach him at ckenning @ gannett.com, orfollow Twitter.