PhilaStories

Philadelphia Story South Street

This video is one of a series of stories by people who live and work on South Street.

Google Maps: South Street

Waldo Gentry - Do You Want To See Where The Colored Fireman Work?

I spoke with Waldo in his home in West Philadelphia. In his first story Waldo talks about visiting Engine 11 as a child and beginning training as a fireman in Philadelphia on December 1, 1950.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was segregated from 1919 - 1952. African-American firemen were assigned to Engine 11 on South Street. Waldo is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Here a few more Engine 11 photos

Google Maps: Engine 11