History Charlie Wiggins

Indiana was crazy back in the day. I have a photograph of my Grandfather having dinner with the Grand Dragon of the KKK. An embarrassment to be sure but it was business at the time. My grandfather owned an oil company and literally EVERY politician in the state at that time was Klan. Even the governor as I recall. I think it was D.C. Stephenson if memory serves correctly.

We had three major amusement parks here in Indianapolis at the turn of the century... White City (no kidding), Wonderland, and then Riverside. White City burned to the ground in 1908 and then Wonderland did too in 1911. Riverside continued on and remained "whites only" until 1963. All of the rides were demolished in 1978...except for a couple of pieces. I had three of the 8 foot long fiberglass ride on Gas powered cars from there. I still have one. If you'll pardon the pun, the amusement parks are a historical black eye for the city and almost no one knows about them today.

I kept that car, not just because it's cool, but because it affords me the opportunity share the real story at times like this. Some things should not be forgotten or swept over.

 

great history, thanks for shareing. I am familiar with some of his family members. I am a novice history buff, and x racer who has followed the history of he and a few others. With every person who has struggled to move forward in motorsports as well as in life it has taken persons who were ahead to pull them forward. Not all men of different color has held some back. Some have pulled them forward. Here is one such example who had many -like Ned Jarrett and Richard Petty and others to help him.

Wendell Scott

 

Thanks for the important reminder that not everything was better in the old days.

 

Great read....and well said Ryan.

 

Thanks for this post today Ryan. Good read and good history for us all to remember.

 

Thanks for the read!

 

here is an article written about the trotters car club in 1960. Black car club from columbus Ohio!~

 

this is a picture taken by my late uncle, of a intergrated motorcycle run in california in 60, before the cival rites act. racers didn't need an act to act right!

 

Wendell Scott signed with some of the men who helped him. This is a 1950 shop rag.

 

Ronald lyles-first african american to gain notice in pro-stock-





signed by his then unheard of 18 year old mechanic-the late Randy Dorton! of NASCAR fame! and the LATE GREAT-RONIE SOX!!!

 

Great story and very timely.

 

These badges worn by GILL-Gilbert Smith--driver by day and racer by night in the then colored circuit motorcycle racing

 

Joie Ray and Rajo Jack.

 

Lest! We never forget the legend of Drag Racing. The first to gain Fame- the late Great Malcolm Durrham --a real FRIEND!!!!!!!!






this was the cover of the magazine that featured Malcolm-signed by another FRIEND!!

 

yes indeed,a good read

 

another great help- The late TIM FLOCK who was a friend of the first African American to run in NASCAR on the Beach COURSE--The Late Charlie Scott of Atlanta, GA

 

Another FRIEND! Bill Lester of NASCAR and Truck racing

 

The Black and White team of STONE,WOODS, & cook

 

Larry Shinoda, of Japanese decent

 

Wendell Scott

 

It's sad that they didn't let him run Indy.Cars are so universal,there should never be segregation in a hobby(or in anything else).

 

Willie T. Ribbs-INDY, NASCAR, GTPU, and other forms of Racing

 

Malcolm Durrham----Drag Racing

 

some of these men finaly got some recognition!

 

x 2!!

 

A-Fordable, thank you.

 

Cheryl Glass