I came across this article about two African Americans being elected to office in Haywood County, TN. I was drawn to this article because Haywood County in the 1960s had a lot of racial tensions related to African Americans being allowed to vote.
The Gadsden Times August 5, 1966
Land owners in Haywood County had been forcing African Americans who attempted to register to vote off of their sharecropping farms. Many of those forced off of their farms ended up living in “Tent Cities”. In 1962 50 land owners in Haywood County settled out of court for violating the 1957 Civil Rights Acts because of their roles in voter intimidation among other things. These landowners had been using economic pressure to prevent African Americans from registering to vote. Under the 1962 settlements these landowners agreed not to interfere with African Americans who attempted to register to vote.
-Tiffany
-Source: The Gasden Times August 5, 1966 edition
Just added this blog to my favorites. I enjoy reading your blogs and hope you maintain them coming!
Thanks for commenting.
Daniel Nixon was my grandmother’s father. I still have the pictures she gave me of his work during the Tent Cities. My father adored his “Grandaddy Dan” & it’s great to see confirmation of our oral history. So proud of my roots!
Thanks for commenting. If you have any details or photos you would like to share with the blog, please let me know. This history should be preserved.
Bebe, I live in Brownsville, TN and am working on history related to Tent City. Would love to make contact with you regarding Mr. Nixon.