Ghost of a Chance: "Nice Little House" Episode Summary

Introduction

In the second episode of Ghost of a Chance, titled "Nice Little House," Eric Roper, a reporter from the Minnesota Star Tribune, delves deep into the 113-year history of his Minneapolis home. His quest centers on uncovering the lives of Harry and Clementine Robinson, a Black couple who owned the house a century ago. This episode unravels their journey, the racial dynamics of early 20th-century Minnesota, and the broader implications on the city's racial history.

Uncovering the Robinsons' Story

Eric Roper begins his investigation by expressing his fascination with the Robinsons:

Eric Roper [00:09]: "A group of black families lived in and around my neighborhood. And then by 1940, almost all of those families are gone. And one of these families lived in my house. Their names were Harry and Clementine Robinson."

Determined to piece together their history, Roper leverages digitized black newspapers from the 1900s, particularly the Appeal newspaper published in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1908. These sources serve as his "time machine," providing insights into both national news and local editorials of the Black community.

Research and Discoveries

Roper uncovers key milestones in Harry and Clementine's lives. Clementine, a graduate of the Mueller School of Dermatology, married Harry shortly after arriving in Minnesota:

John Coleman [05:00]: "Ms. Clementine Brown, a graduate of Moeller College of Dermatology, Chicago, is in the city, the guest of Mrs. Willis Green. She contemplates following her profession if the field looks good."

Despite their promising start, the trail of the Robinsons becomes scarce until Roper discovers Harry's employment as a chef in Duluth and later Clementine's role as a dermatologist through classified ads:

John Coleman [07:01]: "Mrs. C.H. robin, graduate of dermatology to do your hairdressing, manicuring, hand massage, facial massage, shampooing, singeing, dyeing and bleaching. Scalp treatment, a specialty. Special attention to residents and hotel calls."

Life in Duluth: Challenges and Racism

Duluth, a booming industrial town in the early 1900s, attracted many immigrants and was known as the "Helsinki of America." However, Roper soon discovers the harsh realities Black residents faced. Through interviews and historical recordings, he learns about the Robinsons' experiences with blatant racism:

Ethel Nance [09:07]: "He came down and was walking around the back of the house... she said, 'I hope you don't think you're going to live there.' And he said, 'well, I was thinking about it.' But he didn't tell her that he already owned the place."

Neighbors erected "spite fences" and sabotaged their property, making daily life a struggle. Historian Bill Greene provides context on the pervasive discrimination:

Bill Greene [10:21]: "He always said that these people were antagonistic and didn't want us there, and he didn't want us to run errands or do anything at all for them and really didn't want us to talk to them."

Despite these challenges, Harry and Clementine remained in Duluth until 1913, seeking a more welcoming environment in Minneapolis.

Migration to Minneapolis: Hopes and Hurdles

Upon relocating to Minneapolis in 1913, the Robinsons hoped to find a larger Black community and better opportunities. Initially, Minneapolis was relatively open, with no significant segregation laws compared to the Jim Crow South. However, this changed rapidly:

Chad Montres [15:10]: "In 1910, Minneapolis is not particularly segregated, nor is St. Paul... But right around the time that Harry and Clementine moved to Minneapolis in 1913, all that was changing."

Real estate developers began promoting predominantly white neighborhoods, fueled by pseudoscientific beliefs that Black residents would decrease property values. This led to organized efforts to drive out Black families, as exemplified by the Myrick family's forced sale after eight years:

Chad Montres [16:30]: "Mary Myrick held on for eight years before she was forced to sell her house in southwest Minneapolis."

Establishing Middle-Class Stability

In 1916, Clementine secured a position as a body masseuse at St. Barnabas Hospital under the innovative Dr. Farr, providing financial stability for the family. This allowed Harry to transition from waitering to working as a furnace man at the Minneapolis Steel and Machinery Company:

John Coleman [19:45]: "Madam C.H. robinson has been appointed body massourist at the St. Barnabas Hospital under Dr. Farr."

The Robinsons' purchase of the house in southwest Minneapolis in 1917 symbolized their entry into the middle class. However, they faced the precarious reality of a contract for deed, making their ownership vulnerable to any missed payments.

Melissa Townsend [21:21]: "Stop paying rent. Nice little six room house with three bedrooms near Nicollet and second car lines can be bought off owner for $3,000 cash and $35 a month."

Red Summer and Escalating Racial Tensions

The summer of 1919, known as "Red Summer," marked a period of intense racial violence across the United States. Although Minneapolis did not experience riots, the atmosphere was charged with tension:

Eric Roper [31:07]: "That high explosive came the next year in 1920. That's when a mob of white residents in Duluth lynched three black men."

In November 1920, a significant protest emerged in southwest Minneapolis' 13th Ward, orchestrated by influential real estate agents like James McMullen and Ewan Cameron. Their meeting aimed to expel the remaining Black families, including the Robinsons:

John Coleman [36:41]: "Negro question causes Protest. Residents of 13th Ward object to members of race as neighbors."

This targeting of Black residents underscored the Robinsons' vulnerability and the community's desperate measures to maintain racial exclusivity.

Impact on the Robinsons and Legacy

Faced with mounting hostility, the Robinsons' situation exemplified the broader struggles of Black families striving for stability and respectability in hostile environments. Their story, captured through Roper's meticulous research and personal reflections, highlights the resilience and challenges of Black middle-class families in early 20th-century Minnesota.

Conclusion

"Nice Little House" sheds light on a lesser-known facet of Minneapolis's racial history through the lens of Harry and Clementine Robinson's lives. Eric Roper's exploration not only honors their legacy but also serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent racial struggles that have shaped the city's evolution. This episode eloquently captures the intersection of personal histories and broader social dynamics, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the past's lingering impacts on the present.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Eric Roper [00:09]: "A group of black families lived in and around my neighborhood. And then by 1940, almost all of those families are gone. And one of these families lived in my house. Their names were Harry and Clementine Robinson."

• Bill Greene [00:33]: "You're not property anymore. That's a very different disposition on life. You know, he was excelling in every way."

• Ethel Nance [09:07]: "He purposely walked slowly to give her a chance to really get riled up... she said, I hope you don't think you're going to live there."

• Bill Greene [10:21]: "He always said that these people were antagonistic and didn't want us there..."

• Chad Montres [15:10]: "Right around the time that Harry and Clementine moved to Minneapolis in 1913, all that was changing."

• John Coleman [19:45]: "Madam C.H. robinson has been appointed body massourist at the St. Barnabas Hospital under Dr. Farr."

• Eric Roper [31:07]: "That high explosive came the next year in 1920... a mob of white residents in Duluth lynched three black men."

Further Exploration

Listeners interested in exploring more about Harry and Clementine Robinson's story, historical photographs, and documents can visit the Ghost of a Chance website at startribune.com/ghostofachance. Engaging with this history offers valuable insights into the persistent racial challenges and the enduring legacy of Black families in Minneapolis.