T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Collection

ABSTRACT

INTERVIEWEE NAME:     Eva Legard                            COLLECTION:    4700.0706

IDENTIFICATION:     Longtime South Baton Rouge resident

INTERVIEWERS:     Nedra Carter and Khary Carrell

PROJECT:     McKinley High School Oral History, African-American Owned Businesses

INTERVIEW DATES:     July 3, 1996      

FOCUS DATES:   unstated; 1938- 1950s?

ABSTRACT:

Tape 1033, Side A

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 31, 1924; father died before she was born; only brother killed in Korean War; moved to Baton Rouge in 1938; café across from McKinley High; Dr. Butler’s drugstore; dances at the Temple Roof Garden; Bonfanti grocery store; “During my time, you didn't hang out”; Delpit’s Chicken Shack; Dr. Butler was only doctor; no appointments scheduled with doctor, first come, first served; more on Delpit’s Chicken Shack; Butler building closed when Butlers died; businesses were busy during school year because McKinley didn’t have cafeteria; businesses in past were friendlier and more community minded, now owners live outside neighborhood; disintegration of community; increase in robberies: “In my day, young folk didn't try to hold up places”; murder rate way up; neighborhood used to be safe, and so little traffic that grass grew in the street; neighbor chased a man trying to break into Legard’s house; “The foreigners have taken over because our people don't have enough awareness about themselves to keep those businesses”; dislikes patronizing businesses run by foreigners; had family reunion at Jeff’s Place, an inspiring black-owned business; great food at Jeff’s Place; Legard family has started a foundation to build something similar to Jeff’s Place; plans to raise money through foundation for education of their youth; criteria to receive money from foundation; “It’s up to the older people to energize our young people”; hopes her young interviewers will make a difference in their community; Legard’s son committed suicide; success of grandson despite his father’s suicide; doesn’t know why her son got on drugs; need to keep on keeping on; finds photograph to loan to interviewers; recommends other people to interview.

TAPES:     1 (T1033)                         TOTAL PLAYING TIME:     33 minutes

# PAGES TRANSCRIPT:     13

OTHER MATERIALS:    Correspondence, Photograph, Biography

RESTRICTIONS:    None