List of racially-motivated bombings: Difference between revisions

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This is a '''list of racially-motivated bombings''', events in a long series of terrorist actions aimed at cowing proponents of racial [[desegregation]] in [[Birmingham]] and surrounding areas.
This is a '''list of racially-motivated bombings''', events in a long series of terrorist actions aimed at cowing proponents of racial [[desegregation]] in [[Birmingham]] and surrounding areas.


Numerous explosive devices were placed near African American leaders' homes and meeting places during the [[Civil Rights Movement]] of the 1950s and '60s. Many others targeted black families moving into neighborhoods that had previously been [[racial zoning|zoned for whites]], or individuals of any race alleged to be have supported the cause of integration. Historians have connected the materials and methods used by racially-motivated bombers to earlier outbreaks of labor-related violence and intimidation.
Numerous explosive devices were placed near African American leaders' homes and meeting places during the [[Civil Rights Movement]] of the 1950s and 1960s. Many others targeted black families moving into neighborhoods that had previously been [[racial zoning|zoned for whites]], or individuals of any race alleged to be have supported the cause of integration. Historians have connected the materials and methods used by racially-motivated bombers to earlier outbreaks of labor-related violence and intimidation.


Most of these crimes went "unsolved", due to complacency, or perhaps complicity, on the part of local law enforcement agencies and the [[FBI]]. The frequency of such acts led to the use of the derisive [[List of nicknames for Birmingham|nickname]] "[[Bombingham]]" for the city.
Most of these crimes went "unsolved", due to complacency, or perhaps complicity, on the part of local law enforcement agencies and the [[FBI]]. The frequency of such acts led to the use of the derisive [[List of nicknames for Birmingham|nickname]] "[[Bombingham]]" for the city. Locally, the preponderance of bombings focused around [[Center Street]] at the boundary of [[Smithfield neighborhood|Smithfield]] and [[Graymont]], where a lawsuit filed by [[Arthur Shores]] had prevented the city from enforcing its [[1926 Birmingham zoning ordinance|racial zoning ordinance]], led to that area being called "[[Dynamite Hill]]".
 
Author [[Diane McWhorter]] documented numerous connections between these bombings and similar campaigns conducted as part of violent conflicts between mine companies and organized labor in the early 20th century. [[Robert Chambliss]] was frequently seen in the area, sometimes making overt threats, and was occasionally arrested on suspicion of involvement in bombings. He was not convicted and was generally understood to enjoy the sanction of Public Safety commissioner [[Bull Connor]].


==Notable bomb incidents==
==Notable bomb incidents==
===[[1947]]===
===[[1947]]===
* The first bombing targeted [[Samuel Mathews]], an African American who won a court judgment requiring the City of [[Birmingham]] to allow him to purchase a house at 120 [[11th Court North]] in [[North Smithfield]]. The event touched off the "[[Battle of North Smithfield]]".
* [[August 18]]: The first bombing targeted a new home constructed by [[Samuel Mathews]] on a vacant lot at 120 [[11th Court North]] in [[North Smithfield]]. He had purchased the property, which was planned to be rezoned for Black residents, in [[1946]]. After being denied an occupancy permit he retained [[Arthur Shores]] to represent him in a suit against the city. U.S. District Court Judge [[Clarence Mullins]] ruled in favor of Matthews on [[July 31]], 1947. Afterward Mathews found a skull and crossbones painted on the side of the house. A few days later six sticks of dynamite were thrown through the living room window, destroying the $3,700 house. Mathews reported the crime to police. Detectives claimed that their investigation "failed to reveal sufficient evidence to make an arrest." The event touched off what some termed the "[[Battle of North Smithfield]]".


===[[1948]]===
===[[1948]]===
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* [[August 12]]: Curry's residence was again targeted by dynamite, this time damaging windows. At the time, Reverend [[Benjamin Henderson]] was renting a ground floor room in the house, which he shared with his 14-year-old son, [[Bennie Henderson|Bennie]].  
* [[August 12]]: Curry's residence was again targeted by dynamite, this time damaging windows. At the time, Reverend [[Benjamin Henderson]] was renting a ground floor room in the house, which he shared with his 14-year-old son, [[Bennie Henderson|Bennie]].  
* August 12: The [[E. B. DeYampert residence|home]] of [[E. B. DeYampert]] at 1104 Center Street North was damaged by dynamite on the same evening.
* August 12: The [[E. B. DeYampert residence|home]] of [[E. B. DeYampert]] at 1104 Center Street North was damaged by dynamite on the same evening.
:''On [[August 17]] a mass meeting was held on the lawn of the [[Smithfield Court]] auditorium to hear witness reports of the bombings and to call for investigation and prosecution of the guilty. The meeting was co-sponsored by the [[Birmingham Business League]], [[Property Owners Protective Association]], [[Progressive Democratic Association]] of the [[NAACP]], the [[Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance]], the [[Birmingham Jefferson County Housewives League]], the [[Birmingham Emancipation Association]] and the [[Social Workers Council]].''
:''On [[August 17]] a mass meeting was held on the lawn of the [[Smithfield Court]] auditorium to hear witness reports of the bombings and to call for investigation and prosecution of the guilty. The meeting was co-sponsored by the [[Birmingham Business League]], [[Property Owners Protective Association]], [[Progressive Democratic Association]] of the [[NAACP]], the [[Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance]], the [[Birmingham Jefferson County Housewives League]], the [[Birmingham Emancipation Association]] and the [[Social Workers Council]]. More than 2,000 people attended the protest, at which resolutions calling for an end to bombings, for increased access to real estate, and in support of attorney [[Arthur Shores]] were approved.''
* September: A bomb attributed to the KKK damaged [[WEDR-AM]]'s broadcast antenna.


===[[1950]]===
===[[1950]]===
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* April: [[Joel Boykins]]' newly-built home and dentist office in [[Smithfield]] was bombed. The event prompted the [[Birmingham Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women]] to condemn such crimes and urge the police to investigate and prosecute.
* April: [[Joel Boykins]]' newly-built home and dentist office in [[Smithfield]] was bombed. The event prompted the [[Birmingham Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women]] to condemn such crimes and urge the police to investigate and prosecute.
* [[April 22]]: Milton Curry Jr's home was targeted a third time. The larger bomb nearly destroyed the house entirely. Two people inside escaped without injury.
* [[April 22]]: Milton Curry Jr's home was targeted a third time. The larger bomb nearly destroyed the house entirely. Two people inside escaped without injury.
* [[December 21]]: The home of [[Monroe Monk|Monroe]] and [[Mary Means Monk]] at 950 [[Center Street North]] was bombed. Mrs Monk had won a court judgment nullifying Birmingham's revised [[segregated zoning]] laws and had moved into the house, on the traditionally white western side of Center Street, the previous day. The bomb went off on the porch adjoining the room where the Monks were sleeping. Neither the Monks nor their boarder, [[C. W. Askew]], were seriously injured.
** [[July 29]]: Pamphlets printed by the [[Alabama Communist Party]] in which the ongoing "unsolved" bombings were prominently mentioned, were scattered onto the street from a 10th floor window of the [[Woodward Building]] by New York resident George Breland.
* [[December 21]]: A brick bungalow belonging to [[Monroe Monk|Monroe]] and [[Mary Means Monk]] at 950 [[Center Street North]] was bombed. Mrs Monk had won a court judgment nullifying Birmingham's revised [[segregated zoning]] laws and had moved into the house on the west side of the street the previous day. The bomb was tossed onto the porch adjoining the room where the Monks were sleeping. Neither the Monks nor their boarder, [[C. W. Askew]], were seriously injured.


===[[1951]]===
===[[1951]]===
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===[[1962]]===
===[[1962]]===
* [[January 16]]: [[New Bethel Baptist Church]] at [[13th Avenue]] and [[Sipsey Street]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].  
* [[January 16]]: [[New Bethel Baptist Church]] at [[13th Avenue]] and [[Sipsey Street]] in [[East Birmingham]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].  
* January 16: [[St Luke's AME Zion Church]] at 3937 [[12th Avenue North]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].
* January 16: [[St Luke's AME Zion Church]] at 3937 [[12th Avenue North]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].
* January 16: [[Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ‎]], Temple No. 7, at 2505 [[24th Street North]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].
* January 16: [[Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ‎]], Temple No. 7, at 2505 [[24th Street North]] was [[January 1962 church bombings|damaged by two sticks of dynamite]].
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* [[August 10]]: [[St James United Methodist Church (Warrior)|St James United Methodist Church]] in [[Warrior]] was destroyed by arsonists.
* [[August 10]]: [[St James United Methodist Church (Warrior)|St James United Methodist Church]] in [[Warrior]] was destroyed by arsonists.
* [[August 15]]: [[Loveman's]] department store was targeted by a tear gas bomb.
* [[August 15]]: [[Loveman's]] department store was targeted by a tear gas bomb.
* mid August: [[Arthur Shores]]' [[Arthur Shores residence|residence]]
* [[August 20]]: [[Arthur Shores]]' [[Arthur Shores residence|residence]] was damaged by a bomb tossed toward the garage doors. Shores was asleep at the opposite end of the house and was unarmed. One of the family's two dogs was killed and the other ran away.
* [[September 4]]: Arthur Shores' residence. Bomb exploded while repairs were underway from previous blast. His wife, [[Theodora Shores|Theodora]] was injured.
* [[September 4]]: Arthur Shores' residence. Bomb exploded while repairs were underway from previous blast. His wife, [[Theodora Shores|Theodora]] was injured.
* [[September 12]]: [[A. G. Gaston]]'s [[A. G. Gaston residence|residence]] in [[Robinwood]]
* [[September 12]]: [[A. G. Gaston]]'s [[A. G. Gaston residence|residence]] in [[Robin Wood]]
* [[September 15]]: [[16th Street Baptist Church]], 19 sticks of dynamite [[1963 church bombing|exploded on Sunday morning]], killing 4 young girls.
* [[September 15]]: [[16th Street Baptist Church]], 19 sticks of dynamite [[1963 church bombing|exploded on Sunday morning]], killing 4 young girls.
* [[September 25]]: Two bombs exploded in [[Center Street South]] in [[Titusville]], apparently intended to draw a crowd and then spray them with shrapnel. No one was hurt, but a deep crater was left in the street and shrapnel was sprayed into nearby walls. The homes of [[John Hardrick]] and [[Estalla Nunn]] were damaged by the second blast.
* [[September 25]]: Two bombs exploded in [[Center Street South]] in [[Titusville]], apparently intended to draw a crowd and then spray them with shrapnel. No one was hurt, but a deep crater was left in the street and shrapnel was sprayed into nearby walls. The homes of [[John Hardrick]] and [[Estalla Nunn]] were damaged by the second blast.
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== References ==
== References ==
* "Red Propagandist Loses State Appeal" (November 2, 1951) Associated Press / {{TN}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/7390/rec/21 To Keep the Record Straight]" (March 28, 1963) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/7390/rec/21 To Keep the Record Straight]" (March 28, 1963) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,545 20th Bombing Here Against Negroes]" (September 16, 1963) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,545 20th Bombing Here Against Negroes]" (September 16, 1963) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
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* Eskew, Glenn T. (December 1997) "'Bombingham': Black Protest in Postwar Birmingham, Alabama." ''The Historian" Vol. 59, No. 2. p. 371-390
* Eskew, Glenn T. (December 1997) "'Bombingham': Black Protest in Postwar Birmingham, Alabama." ''The Historian" Vol. 59, No. 2. p. 371-390
* Temple, Chanda and Jeff Hansen (July 16, 2000) "Ministers' homes, churches among bomb targets." {{BN}}
* Temple, Chanda and Jeff Hansen (July 16, 2000) "Ministers' homes, churches among bomb targets." {{BN}}
* {{McWhorter-2001}}
* White, Marjorie; Christy Anderson, and David Ray (December 13, 2006) "[https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/daeb70a2-80e2-472f-a758-72b008af4ba7 Center Street Historic District]" National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - listed October 1, 2007
* Gray, Jeremy (July 24, 2018) "[http://www.al.com/expo/news/erry-2018/07/f39190a3553390/bombingham.html Bombingham: Decades of racist bombings captured in chilling photos]" {{BN}}




Latest revision as of 10:21, 14 February 2024

This is a list of racially-motivated bombings, events in a long series of terrorist actions aimed at cowing proponents of racial desegregation in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Numerous explosive devices were placed near African American leaders' homes and meeting places during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many others targeted black families moving into neighborhoods that had previously been zoned for whites, or individuals of any race alleged to be have supported the cause of integration. Historians have connected the materials and methods used by racially-motivated bombers to earlier outbreaks of labor-related violence and intimidation.

Most of these crimes went "unsolved", due to complacency, or perhaps complicity, on the part of local law enforcement agencies and the FBI. The frequency of such acts led to the use of the derisive nickname "Bombingham" for the city. Locally, the preponderance of bombings focused around Center Street at the boundary of Smithfield and Graymont, where a lawsuit filed by Arthur Shores had prevented the city from enforcing its racial zoning ordinance, led to that area being called "Dynamite Hill".

Author Diane McWhorter documented numerous connections between these bombings and similar campaigns conducted as part of violent conflicts between mine companies and organized labor in the early 20th century. Robert Chambliss was frequently seen in the area, sometimes making overt threats, and was occasionally arrested on suspicion of involvement in bombings. He was not convicted and was generally understood to enjoy the sanction of Public Safety commissioner Bull Connor.

Notable bomb incidents

1947

  • August 18: The first bombing targeted a new home constructed by Samuel Mathews on a vacant lot at 120 11th Court North in North Smithfield. He had purchased the property, which was planned to be rezoned for Black residents, in 1946. After being denied an occupancy permit he retained Arthur Shores to represent him in a suit against the city. U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Mullins ruled in favor of Matthews on July 31, 1947. Afterward Mathews found a skull and crossbones painted on the side of the house. A few days later six sticks of dynamite were thrown through the living room window, destroying the $3,700 house. Mathews reported the crime to police. Detectives claimed that their investigation "failed to reveal sufficient evidence to make an arrest." The event touched off what some termed the "Battle of North Smithfield".

1948

1949

1949 mass meeting poster.png
On August 17 a mass meeting was held on the lawn of the Smithfield Court auditorium to hear witness reports of the bombings and to call for investigation and prosecution of the guilty. The meeting was co-sponsored by the Birmingham Business League, Property Owners Protective Association, Progressive Democratic Association of the NAACP, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Birmingham Jefferson County Housewives League, the Birmingham Emancipation Association and the Social Workers Council. More than 2,000 people attended the protest, at which resolutions calling for an end to bombings, for increased access to real estate, and in support of attorney Arthur Shores were approved.
  • September: A bomb attributed to the KKK damaged WEDR-AM's broadcast antenna.

1950

Aftermath of the bombing of Mary Means Monk's home
  • April: Joel Boykins' newly-built home and dentist office in Smithfield was bombed. The event prompted the Birmingham Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women to condemn such crimes and urge the police to investigate and prosecute.
  • April 22: Milton Curry Jr's home was targeted a third time. The larger bomb nearly destroyed the house entirely. Two people inside escaped without injury.
    • July 29: Pamphlets printed by the Alabama Communist Party in which the ongoing "unsolved" bombings were prominently mentioned, were scattered onto the street from a 10th floor window of the Woodward Building by New York resident George Breland.
  • December 21: A brick bungalow belonging to Monroe and Mary Means Monk at 950 Center Street North was bombed. Mrs Monk had won a court judgment nullifying Birmingham's revised segregated zoning laws and had moved into the house on the west side of the street the previous day. The bomb was tossed onto the porch adjoining the room where the Monks were sleeping. Neither the Monks nor their boarder, C. W. Askew, were seriously injured.

1951

  • The rear half of Milton Curry's home at 1100 Center Street North was burned to the ground.

1956

1957

1958

Following a pair of bombings of houses in Fountain Heights, two white men were captured by black residents and beaten. They were arrested when they later sought medical treatment at University Hospital. The investigation led to one additional arrest. One of the three was convicted on a bombing charge and all three pleaded guilty a second charge of "attempting to set off a bomb". They were all given probation rather than imprisonment.("To Keep the Record Straight"-1963)

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

Bomb damage at the Gaston Motel
Timing device used in the bombing of Arthur Shores' home

1964

1965

Civil Rights Movement (1956–1965)
Documents Segregation laws · ACMHR Declaration of Principles · Nonviolence pledge · Birmingham Manifesto · A Call For Unity · Appeal for Law and Order · Letter from Birmingham Jail · Birmingham Truce · Civil Rights Act of 1964
Events Freedom Rides · Who Speaks for Birmingham? · Selective Buying Campaign · Birmingham Campaign · Good Friday march · Children's Crusade · Police dogs and firehoses · List of racially-motivated bombings · 1963 church bombing · May 1963 riot
Organizations Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights · Birmingham City Commission · Ku Klux Klan · Miles College · NAACP · Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Activists Fred Shuttlesworth · Martin Luther King Jr · A. D. King · James Bevel · Frank Dukes · Edward Gardner · Lola Hendricks · Colonel Stone Johnson · Autherine Lucy · Vivian Malone · Joseph Lowery · James Orange · Nelson Smith Jr · John Porter · Abraham Woods Jr
Other figures Albert Boutwell · Robert Chambliss · Bull Connor · A. G. Gaston · Art Hanes · Lucius Pitts · Sidney Smyer · J. B. Stoner · "8 white clergymen" · Virgil Ware · "4 little girls"
Places Kelly Ingram Park · A. G. Gaston Motel · Movement churches
Legacy Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail · Birmingham Civil Rights Institute · Birmingham Pledge

References

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