I have been asked about the history/presence of black entrepreneurs in Camden. Mary Bennett authored an excellent article in the Summer 2004 Historical Quarterly (Vol 35 No 4) titled Owners & Occupants of the Two-Story, Red Brick Building 1922-1953 that gives insight into black businessmen of that era. Two local wealthy black men, Robert Cowser & Richard Bennett financed the construction of a 2-story brick building on what is today the parking lot behind Bank Corp South. They successfully owned & operated the Bennett Drug Store (also known as the Ouachita Drug Co. & Cowser-Bennett Drug Co.) located on the ground floor of the building for over 30 years. The Busy-Bee Restaurant, Will Greys Barbershop and Moon Glovers Shoe Shine Parlor shared space on the first floor. Medical professionals like Dr. Ivra A. Clark, Dr. Jack Massey and Dr. Robert Dunnings had offices on the second floor. The property was sold in 1953 when a more modern two-story building on South Adams became a popular location for incoming black doctors during the early 1950s. Recently Karl Schanzlin showed me a beautiful old calendar from the Bennett Drug Store and and graciously allowed me to it share with our readers. The calendar features an attractive young woman in military uniform and the calendar is dated 1945. A photo of the Drug store may be found on page 168 of Patterns - A Social History Camden. Ben Williams and Monroe Bowie were other iconic entrepreneurs of their day, but that is another story.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:47:38 +0000
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