Ligon, Pat Allen

Interview 154b: In this interview with R.L. Kuykendall, Lee and Pat Ligon reminisce about growing up in Diboll’s African American community in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Lee was raised by his grandparents in Nigton, Lufkin, and Diboll before joining the Air Force after graduating from high school in 1951; he returned to Angelina County in the1980’s. Pat Allen Ligon is the daughter of Southern Pine Lumber Company’s foreman Walter Allen. The Ligons describe growing up in a segregated logging community and going to segregated schools. They mention attending the movies in town, visiting the cafes, and dealing with racial tension. They also discuss constable Jay Boren and law enforcement in the African American section of town. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ligon compare their schooling to that of late 20th century children.