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| Photograph of Senator John F. Kennedy (right) with Anthony J. Celebrezze (left), Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and Allen C. Thompson (center), Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi at a meeting of the American Municipal Association held in Denver, Colorado. Stamped on verso: "Photo. By: Ralph H. Hargrove; Identification Bureau, Police Department,Jackson, Mississippi." Photograph of Senator John F. Kennedy, Allen C. Thompson, and Anthony J. Celebrezze Papers of John F. Kennedy. Pre-Presidential Papers. Presidential Campaign Files, 1960. Campaigns by State: Pre-Convention Political Files, 1960. Photo. By: Ralph H. Hargrove; Identification Bureau, Police Department, Jackson, Mississippi." |
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
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| Evana Shelby Thompson, Allen C. Thompson and Unidentified Man Mayor Allen Thompson receives briefcase from unidentified man. He holds sign that says "IF LOST Please Return To Mayor's Office." [graphic].by Hargrove, Ralph H. (Ralph Houlan) .In: [Johnson (Lars) collection]Description: 1 photographic print : b&w .Subject(s): Thompson, Allen C. (Allen Cavett), 1906-1980 | Mayors -- Mississippi -- Jackson | Men | Women | Jackson (Miss.) | Photographic prints Online Resources: Link to Electronic Resource In: [Johnson Lars collection] Summary: View shows Jackson Mayor Allen C. Thompson in his office with male and female, June 8, 1951.Mississippi Department of Archives and History 200 North Street Jackson, MS 39201 |
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The Rev. Billy Graham stands with Mayor Allen Thompson [graphic].
In: [Johnson (Lars) collection]Description: 1 photographic print : b&w .Subject(s): Graham, Billy, 1918- | Thompson, Allen C. (Allen Cavett), 1906-1980 | Clergy -- United States | Mayors -- Mississippi -- Jackson | Photographic prints Online Resources: Link to Electronic Resource In: [Johnson Lars collection] Summary: View shows Reverend Billy Graham and Jackson Mayor, Allen Thompson standing outdoors with a group of people.Mississippi Department of Archives and History 200 North Street Jackson, MS 39201 |
Allen Cavett Thompson (November 6, 1906 - October 1980) was the Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi for 20 years.
When Allen was a teenager he was hired by a local doctor to drive him to Colorado each summer. The doctor would avoid the oppressive Mississippi heat by spending the summers in Colorado Springs.The trips were long and difficult considering there were no major interstate highways at the time and most of the drive was on two lane dirt roads.Since the Doctor only paid Allen to drive him there and back it was up to Allen to support himself while in Colorado. Allen was a natural athlete and before long was the Tennis and Golf Pro at the Broadmore Hotel in Colorado Springs.He would teach golf and tennis to the guest each summer
His education never suffered however and he became an assistant to the Greek Language Professor during his senior year.It was during this time he met the girl who would become his wife, Evana Shelby.Allen and Evana were married on August 22, 1929 in Port Gibson Mississippi.
He served until he resigned to join the U.S. Navy in 1942. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was assigned to Naval Intelligence. He was honorably discharged on January 14, 1946 at which time he returned to Jackson and resumed his law practice.
Soon after his return he was appointed by Governor Bailey to be legislative liaison to the Governor. During this time he became President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Exchange Club, State Excise Tax Commissioner, and served on the board of Stewards at Galloway Methodist Church.
The City’s infrastructure was also not up to Mayor Thompson’s standards so he introduced the “Slum Clearance Program” which required landlords to improve health and safety standards of all rental properties. This met with great resistance since the landlords had to spend monies to upgrade the living conditions of rental houses. Over the next few years more than 3,200 substandard homes were rehabilitated and nearly 1,000 others were demolished.
For Allen Thompson, being Mayor was a true labor of love. Mayor Thompson and his wife would ride around the City after supper each night surveying the city. Mrs. Thompson would take notes as the Mayor drove around looking for everything that needed fixing or improving the next day. Not only did he love the city but he also appreciated the city employees served with him.
During Thompson's time as mayor, the area's population grew from 55,000 to 250,000. The number of public schools went from 18 to 58, the number of fire stations increased from 6 to 17, and 350 people were added to the police force. The city had one library in 1949 but the mayor built a new, more modern facility and added five branches. He was instrumental in the construction of the Memorial Stadium, the Mississippi Coliseum, the Ross Barnett Reservoir, the Municipal Auditorium, the location of the University Medical center, Interstate I-55 and the development of the Jackson Airport.
Allen C. Thompson was the mayor of Jackson at the time of the civil rights movement of the 1960's.
Also during the 1960s Thompson appointed the first black city employees, which included the first black police officers.
A few people are quick to label Allen a "racist, segregationist" and that he hated blacks. This was very far from the truth but history should be viewed in its context. Segregation was displayed not only in the south but also in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles.
During his time as mayor, he was elected twice as President of the American Municipal Association. He was the United States Southern Representative to the International Union of Cities, which was held in Brighton, England where 350 cities and 30 nations were represented. He was involved with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, his cabinet, and heads of select Federal and State Agencies in developing a national atomic civil defense program. Thompson was also a member of the white supremacist Citizens' Council.
After 20 years as Mayor of the City Of Jackson, Allen Thompson announced his retirement in 1969. After retiring as Mayor he practiced law and farmed until his death in 1980.
Family and Childhood
Thompson was born to Allen and Mattie Thompson. His father was an attorney, city prosecutor and city judge prior to his death in 1916.Allen C., His Brother, John and Mother all had to go to work to help support the family.Since owning cattle was prohibited inside the city limits, Mattie moved her family to the country where she could keep a milk cow and chickens to help feed the family.The house she owned less the farm animals still stands today and it is now longer “in the country” but located on Fairview Street in Belhaven. His mother worked as head dietician for a college while Allen and his brother preformed odd jobs to help out.When Allen was a teenager he was hired by a local doctor to drive him to Colorado each summer. The doctor would avoid the oppressive Mississippi heat by spending the summers in Colorado Springs.The trips were long and difficult considering there were no major interstate highways at the time and most of the drive was on two lane dirt roads.Since the Doctor only paid Allen to drive him there and back it was up to Allen to support himself while in Colorado. Allen was a natural athlete and before long was the Tennis and Golf Pro at the Broadmore Hotel in Colorado Springs.He would teach golf and tennis to the guest each summer
Post-Secondary Education
Upon graduating from Central High School, Allen enrolled at the University Of Mississippi. During his time at "Ole Miss" he remained very active in sports and was the state tennis champion for three consecutive years.His education never suffered however and he became an assistant to the Greek Language Professor during his senior year.It was during this time he met the girl who would become his wife, Evana Shelby.
Career
Teaching
He was offered and accepted a teaching position at Blue Mountain College in North Mississippi. In 1931 he returned to Jackson and taught at Millsaps College.Law
In 1931 Allen obtained his license to practice law and returned to Jackson. During the next few years Allen and Evana had three children, Allen Jr., Shelby and Billy.Politics
Thompson began his career in politics when he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1940.World War II Service
He served until he resigned to join the U.S. Navy in 1942. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was assigned to Naval Intelligence. He was honorably discharged on January 14, 1946 at which time he returned to Jackson and resumed his law practice.
Return to Mississippi Public Service
Soon after his return he was appointed by Governor Bailey to be legislative liaison to the Governor. During this time he became President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Exchange Club, State Excise Tax Commissioner, and served on the board of Stewards at Galloway Methodist Church.
Elected Mayor of the City of Jackson
In 1948 he was elected to the Office of Mayor for the City of Jackson. At the time he took office the City was on the edge of Bankruptcy, owing nearly $300,000 to local banks while having only $11,000 cash in the City Coffers to pay these debts. Considering the average earnings of a citizen of Jackson was only $25.00 a week, this appeared to be a hurdle the Mayor could not jump but he quickly passed a sales tax to stabilize the city’s finances.
During Thompson's time as mayor, the area's population grew from 55,000 to 250,000. The number of public schools went from 18 to 58, the number of fire stations increased from 6 to 17, and 350 people were added to the police force. The city had one library in 1949 but the mayor built a new, more modern facility and added five branches. He was instrumental in the construction of the Memorial Stadium, the Mississippi Coliseum, the Ross Barnett Reservoir, the Municipal Auditorium, the location of the University Medical center, Interstate I-55 and the development of the Jackson Airport.
Allen C. Thompson was the mayor of Jackson at the time of the civil rights movement of the 1960's.
Also during the 1960s Thompson appointed the first black city employees, which included the first black police officers.
A few people are quick to label Allen a "racist, segregationist" and that he hated blacks. This was very far from the truth but history should be viewed in its context. Segregation was displayed not only in the south but also in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles.
During his time as mayor, he was elected twice as President of the American Municipal Association. He was the United States Southern Representative to the International Union of Cities, which was held in Brighton, England where 350 cities and 30 nations were represented. He was involved with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, his cabinet, and heads of select Federal and State Agencies in developing a national atomic civil defense program. Thompson was also a member of the white supremacist Citizens' Council.
Retirement
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