African-American Lena Cosby Cole, born 1886 was interviewed on May 23, 1975 by the Friends of the Orlando Public Library for the Oral History Program. We are grateful for the Orange County Regional History Center‘s making this recording available for Orlando Memory.
Part 1: Grandparents were slaves, father worked as fireman on locomotive; schooling; she worked in school lunch room by day, as caterer at night- 10 cents per hour; Travels; Church deacon; Spanish American War; 5 children (all born at home – 75 year old house); describes primitive Orlando.
Part 2: Formosa flag station; downtown banks; Orlando Water and Light Company; downtown businesses; schools in Orlando; supported advanced education; WW II; Ocoee Incident (Riot); Ku Klux Klan; only midwives attended the births of her children.
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Back to topLena Cosby Cole - Born 1886. Part 1: Grandparents were slaves, father worked as fireman on locamotive; schooling; she worked in school lunch room by day, as caterer at night- 10 cents per hour; Travels; Church deacon; Spanish American War; 5 children (all born at home - 75 year old house); describes primitive Orlando.
Interview with Lena Cosby Cole Pt 2
Lena Cosby Cole - Born 1886. Part 2: Formosa flag station; downtown banks; Orlando Water and Light Company; downtown businesses; schools in Orlando; supported advanced education; WW II; Ocoee Incident (Riot); Ku Klux Klan parades in Orlando; midwives attended the births of her children.
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