Oral history interview with Earl Shipley

Earl Shipley, an African American man born on November 28, 1907, discusses his father, Dr. Rezin Shipley (who was a pharmacist in Anacostia until 1923), and other businesses in the area at that time, such as the Sayles Coal Yard, Mason's Funeral Home, and Dyson's Barber Shop. He also talks about his mother, Fannie Johnson, who was a substitute teacher at Birney Elementary and a night schoolteacher at Georgetown University, and about his sister and aunts. Shipley describes what life was like living in Douglass Hall during his early childhood years, when the second floor was a dance hall, residents lived on the third floor, and businesses were on the first floor. He mentions how businesses were segregated by Morris Road, with black-owned businesses being north of the road while white-owned businesses were south. He speaks about his neighbors and their different businesses as well as the police force and nearby schools. Earl Shipley was interviewed by John Tetrault in August of 1974. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard for some parts.