If the name Rosa Parks were mentioned most folks would instantly recognize her as the icon that refused to give up her bus seat in 1955 and thus sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. Her contributions to the civil rights movement will not soon be forgotten.
However, few folks would recognize the name James Blake as the bus driver who ordered her to give up the seat and subsequently filed charges to have her arrested on 1 December 1955. Mr. Blake listed his address as 27 North Lewis Street.
Yesterday, in the early morning hours, the Montgomery Fire Department answered a call for a house fire at 27 North Lewis Street. The modest but historical wooden frame structure was fully involved when the first engine company arrived. Their heroic efforts failed to save the residence.
Another piece of our history and a link to the early battle for civil rights reduced to ashes.
However, few folks would recognize the name James Blake as the bus driver who ordered her to give up the seat and subsequently filed charges to have her arrested on 1 December 1955. Mr. Blake listed his address as 27 North Lewis Street.
Yesterday, in the early morning hours, the Montgomery Fire Department answered a call for a house fire at 27 North Lewis Street. The modest but historical wooden frame structure was fully involved when the first engine company arrived. Their heroic efforts failed to save the residence.
Another piece of our history and a link to the early battle for civil rights reduced to ashes.
