Houston Black History Archives - A Curious Histonian

Annie Hagen

Who was Annie Hagen? Annie Hagen (1863 – 1927) was a nurse, midwife, and property owner who had built quite…

Yates Colored High School, named after Reverend John Henry “Jack” Yates, was built in February of 1926 at 2610 Elgin…

Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist church was originally founded in 1872 and located at 2800 Conti @ Clark Street. The contemporary…

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Benny A. Joseph (1924 – 2018) was an WWII Army veteran and one of four Black, professional photographers in Houston.…

Origins Franklin Beauty School was started in 1915 by Madame Nobia A. Franklin (1892–1934), who taught and provided cosmetology services…

Snapshots

John Vachon (1914 – 1975) was a world-traveling photographer and one of the 40-something odd photographers working for the Farm…

Pete Menutis, pictured leaning against his bar, operated an integrated saloon here in Houston. Aptly named “Pete Menutis’ Saloon,” the…

Fred Vermillion was a young photographer who got his “break” as the photographer for the Camp Logan military training facility.…

Snapshots

I don’t think any of us could look this cool if we tried. If anyone knows who this Houstonian is,…

Snapshots

During Reconstruction, Houston began establishing its police force which had previously consisted of volunteers. In 1873, the Houston police force…

This young man is Clerch Edgar Jefferson and he was the owner of the fine establishment in the photo, which…