Rolla in Phelps County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

"Black" USO

(United Service Organization)

— Rolla —

"Black" USO Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2021

1. "Black" USO Marker

Inscription.
"The USO had a substantial operation in Rolla during World War Two, serving thousands of soldiers on leave looking for recreation and an opportunity to get away from military life at Fort "Lost-in-the-Woods". The need for appropriate, and segregated, facilities led to construction of two nearly identical USO buildings on Ninth Street in 1942. A building for "black" soldiers on east Ninth Street near the railroad depot became the public library and the home of Rolla Municipal Utilities after the war. It is now part of the Rolla City Hall complex."

John F. Bradbury, Jr., Rolla The Old Town (St. Louis: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc., 2002), p. 60

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Entertainment • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 37° 57.039′ N, 91° 46.273′ W. Marker is in Rolla, Missouri, in Phelps County. Marker is on West 9th Street just east of North Pine Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level on a utility pole beside the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rolla MO 65401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Scott's Drugs (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant Hotel

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(within shouting distance of this marker); National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Pine Street and Downtown Rolla (within shouting distance of this marker); Rollamo Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Whiskey Row" (about 300 feet away); Hotel Edwin Long (about 300 feet away); "White" USO (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rolla.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Additional keywords. segregation; Jim Crow era

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2021

2. "Black" USO Marker

(looking east along West 9th Street • Rolla Municipal Center & City Hall complex in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.