John E. LaGrone Papers

Collection

Identifier: A3178

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers are comprised of five items relating to Vashon High School, the Class of 1961 50th reunion, the school’s 85th anniversary, and the NAACP Youth Council. Two posters and three letters dating from 2011-2012 are arranged chronologically. Two letters are written to John LaGrone by Dorcas Adams McReynolds on January 31, 2012, regarding the death of classmate Queen Esther and memories of their activities in the NAACP Youth Council. The third letter is undated and likely relates to the 50th Class of 1961 reunion. It is entitled, “Reminiscings of the Civil Rights Movement: The Vashon High Activists of 1960.” McReynolds recalls being arrested and taken to jail; her brother and Bill Clay followed and got them out. She mentions other people involved in the Youth Council’s activities and where the students demonstrated. The earliest poster is small and handmade for the Class of 1961’s 50th reunion in 2011. The second poster is larger, celebrating the 85th anniversary of Vashon High School on October 5-6, 2012. The poster is comprised of two photocopied pages taped to a larger posterboard.

Dates

2011-2012

Creator

LaGrone, John E., 1943- (Creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

John Edward LaGrone was born at Homer G. Philips Hospital in St. Louis on February 17, 1943, to Clyde and Elizabeth McKenzie LaGrone. He was the second of five sons, including Charles, Maurice, Clyde, and Paul. LaGrone married Susan Y. Berry, and the couple had three children: Jonna, Jonathan, and Christopher. He graduated from Vashon High School in 1961, attended Harris Teachers College through 1965, and then earned a master’s degree in Spanish from St. Louis University in 1969. LaGrone started teaching in the St. Louis Public Schools in 1965 and retired from teaching in the University City Public Schools in 2001. While a student at Vashon, LaGrone belonged to the NAACP Youth Council. The Youth Council, with guidance from Margaret Bush Wilson and Fredda Witherspoon, conducted peaceful demonstrations at Howard Johnson’s; bowling alleys; and Scruggs, Vandervoort, and Barney. Dorcas Adams, LaGrone’s Vashon classmate, was also a member of the Youth Council.

Extent

0.06 Cubic Feet ( (1 folder, 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The papers are arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The papers were donated by John LaGrone in 2012 (accession number 2012-084).

Related Materials

For more information about John LaGrone and the NAACP Youth Council, see Unknown Soldiers / Unsung Heroes: Youth Activism in the St. Louis Civil Rights Movement Oral History Project Transcripts (A3175).