For release: Feb. 15, 2003
Contact: Nicole Kranzler, 773-3426

State Historical Society Celebrates Black History Month Sioux Falls Hosted Black USO

Pierre –February is Black History Month. The South Dakota State Historical Society is recognizing the month with features honoring the contributions African Americans have made to South Dakota history.

During World War II, thousands of soldiers arrived for training at the new Sioux Falls Army Air Base. The influx of personnel from all over the country—200 African Americans among them—brought to light the fact that Sioux Falls was much like any other segregated city. Soldiers who were fighting for their country could not order a sandwich in most Sioux Falls restaurants, get a haircut or find a place to stay for the night. These same men were not even allowed into the local USO (United Service Organization) club.

In 1943, some of the city’s prominent black families created a USO club for black soldiers in the basement of St. John’s Baptist Church at 320 N. Minnesota Ave. The USO governing council approved this facility as an extension of the city’s original white USO. Until its creation, black soldiers had sought recreation and companionship at the Booker T. Washington Center, a home in Sioux Falls that provided shelter, board and other aid to blacks who were either traveling through or new to the area.

Despite the fact that its facilities and equipment were poor, the center in St. John’s church provided a place where African-American soldiers could relax and feel at home. Under the direction of Rev. William Holt and Minnie Bridgewater, the black USO hosted special holiday dinners and programs, movies, Sunday vesper services and various other activities. The community pitched in with donations of a piano, radio and furniture. Local women provided services like cleaning, cooking and sewing.

With the addition of classes in reading, writing and drama, the church basement quickly grew crowded. In early 1944, local businessman Ben Margulies purchased a building at 115 N. Dakota Ave. and donated the first floor to the black USO. The new quarters boasted a snack bar and lounge that could be turned into a dance hall. Even so, it faced competition from the Playmor Club, a private nightclub on the air base that offered more entertainment. When interest in the black USO began to wane, its organizers instituted wives’ organizations, longer snack-bar hours, more dances, bingo, variety shows and motion pictures. With these improvements, the black USO revived and became an independent unit on Apr. 1, 1944, with Lloyd M. Williams as director.

The war ended in 1945, and the men stationed at Sioux Falls Air Base soon went home. By 1948, when President Harry Truman issued an executive order ending segregation in all branches of the military, the black USO was no longer in existence. Although short-lived, it had provided valuable services for African-American servicemen with nowhere else to go.

The State Historical Society is looking for objects, documents, photographs, manuscripts and any other material or information on other significant African Americans in South Dakota. Anyone with information should contact the South Dakota State Historical Society, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501; telephone, (605) 773-3458. Headquartered in the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, the society is a division of the state Department of Education and Cultural Affairs.

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