Smithridge Post-Reconstruction through World War II
Dublin Core
Title
Smithridge Post-Reconstruction through World War II
Description
In 1881, Robert named the community Smithridge. In 1883, a former Freedmen’s Bureau school relocated to Smithridge on land donated by Robert. Edward and others established the Mount Calvary Baptist Church and the Mount Calvary Baptist Benevolent Association, providing funeral costs and other benefits to community members. In 1903 Edward donated land for a new elementary school, the Calvary School, which served as the only school for most Black parish residents.
Many Smithridge residents farmed sugar cane on their own land, cultivating the sugar in nearby Montegut at the South Coast Company refinery, which operated for a period in the early twentieth century as the world’s largest sugar refinery. Smithridge residents also worked directly for the company as drivers, machine operators, packers, and other positions. Others returned annually for work during the grinding season, and, as they had in enslaved communities prior to emancipation, residents celebrated during the harvesting feast week after New Year’s.
Smithridge was also home to local businesses, including grocery stores, a funeral home, and Black physicians and dentists. Residents attended performances by musicians like Nolan Harris Jr. and the Smithridge School Band and cheered on the semi-professional baseball team the Wiz Kids.
Despite the opportunities in Smithridge, the community experienced dramatic change in the twentieth century. Many residents left Smithridge for New Orleans, Texas, Chicago, and other areas as part of the Great Migration. Robert and Ed died in 1923 and 1945 respectively. Tragedy struck the community in 1939. A pontoon bridge connected the east side—where 90 percent of residents lived—and the west side, the location of the church. A barge struck the bridge in 1939 and the parish refused to replace it. In August 1939 a boat carrying residents to a church service capsized, and six people drowned. The parish did not construct another bridge in Smithridge for three decades, forcing residents to travel several miles to the nearest bridge.
Many Smithridge residents farmed sugar cane on their own land, cultivating the sugar in nearby Montegut at the South Coast Company refinery, which operated for a period in the early twentieth century as the world’s largest sugar refinery. Smithridge residents also worked directly for the company as drivers, machine operators, packers, and other positions. Others returned annually for work during the grinding season, and, as they had in enslaved communities prior to emancipation, residents celebrated during the harvesting feast week after New Year’s.
Smithridge was also home to local businesses, including grocery stores, a funeral home, and Black physicians and dentists. Residents attended performances by musicians like Nolan Harris Jr. and the Smithridge School Band and cheered on the semi-professional baseball team the Wiz Kids.
Despite the opportunities in Smithridge, the community experienced dramatic change in the twentieth century. Many residents left Smithridge for New Orleans, Texas, Chicago, and other areas as part of the Great Migration. Robert and Ed died in 1923 and 1945 respectively. Tragedy struck the community in 1939. A pontoon bridge connected the east side—where 90 percent of residents lived—and the west side, the location of the church. A barge struck the bridge in 1939 and the parish refused to replace it. In August 1939 a boat carrying residents to a church service capsized, and six people drowned. The parish did not construct another bridge in Smithridge for three decades, forcing residents to travel several miles to the nearest bridge.
Census information for Edward Smith and Eileen Thomson Smith, 1900, Lines 42-50. Smith's occupation in the 1900 census is farmer. The census lists seven children, ages 7-18.
Census information for Ed Smith and Eileen Thomson Smith, 1910, Lines 70-77. Ed's occupation is listed as farmer, and three of his sons are identified as laborers on the farm. Ed and his three eldest sons are identified as being able to read and write, and the three youngest children are listed as attending school.