Cal Johnson (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Caldonia Fackler Johnson (October 14, 1844 – April 7, 1925) was an American businessman and philanthropist, active primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee
, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, he rose to become a prominent Knoxville racetrack and saloon owner, and by the time of his death, was one of the wealthiest African American businessmen in the state. He also owned several thoroughbred racehorses, one of which captured a world speed record in 1893.
and Church Avenue in downtown Knoxville. His parents were Harriett Johnson (1813–1894), a slave of Charles McClung
, and Cupid Johnson (1809–1858), a slave of Hugh Lawson McClung (Charles's son). Cupid was widely known as a horse trainer and jockey, and played a vital role in shaping Cal's interest in horses. Harriett, a domestic servant, could read and write, and after the Civil War, she operated a hotel and grocery store in East Knoxville. As a teenager, Cal was sent to McClung's estate in Campbell's Station (modern Farragut
), where he tended the family's horses. During the Civil War
, he befriended noted Knoxville saloon owner Patrick Sullivan, and helped Sullivan (who was away fighting in the war) relay messages back and forth to his family.
Following the war, Johnson helped exhume soldiers' bodies from temporary graves at battlefield sites for reinterment in cemeteries. He struggled financially, however, and sank into alcoholism and poverty. He finally found employment as a bartender, and in 1879, used his savings to lease a saloon at the corner of Gay and Vine. By the mid-1880s, he had accumulated around $20,000, and bought the saloon outright. He also purchased two other saloons, one at the corner of Vine and Central, the other at the corner of Gay and Wall. By the turn of the century, his saloon at the corner of Gay and Vine, known as the Poplar Log (later renamed the Lone Tree), was one of the most popular in the city.
Johnson served as an alderman on Knoxville's city council from 1883 to 1885. He also began buying thoroughbred racehorses, and attended races across the South. In 1893, one of his horses broke a world speed record at the Columbian Exposition
in Chicago
. Johnson also established Knoxville's only racetrack, in what is now the Burlington neighborhood near Chilhowee Park
. The track has since been converted into a street, Speedway Circle.
In 1907, Knoxville passed a prohibition ordinance that forced the city's saloons, including Johnson's, to close. The following year, Johnson opened one of Knoxville's first movie houses on Central, but the business failed. In 1910, as part of the Appalachian Exposition, Johnson cut down a lone tree in the middle of his racetrack to allow the first airplane to visit the city to land. He later donated a house at the corner of Vine and Patton for the establishment of the city's African-American YMCA
. At his death in 1925, his net worth was estimated at $300,000 to $500,000.
-listed Gay Street Commercial Historic District. In 1922, the city established a park for its black residents, which it named Cal Johnson Park in Johnson's honor. Johnson donated a concrete fountain and arched entranceway for the park, though these have since been removed. In 1957, the city built the Cal Johnson Recreation Center inside the park.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, he rose to become a prominent Knoxville racetrack and saloon owner, and by the time of his death, was one of the wealthiest African American businessmen in the state. He also owned several thoroughbred racehorses, one of which captured a world speed record in 1893.
Biography
Johnson was born in 1844 in a house at the corner of Gay StreetGay Street (Knoxville)
Gay Street is a street in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, that traverses the heart of the city's downtown area. Since its development in the 1790s, Gay Street has served as the city's principal financial and commercial thoroughfare, and has played a primary role in the city's historical and cultural...
and Church Avenue in downtown Knoxville. His parents were Harriett Johnson (1813–1894), a slave of Charles McClung
Charles McClung
Charles McClung was an American pioneer, politician, and surveyor best known for drawing up the original plat of Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1791. While Knoxville has since expanded to many times its original size, the city's downtown area still roughly follows McClung's 1791 grid...
, and Cupid Johnson (1809–1858), a slave of Hugh Lawson McClung (Charles's son). Cupid was widely known as a horse trainer and jockey, and played a vital role in shaping Cal's interest in horses. Harriett, a domestic servant, could read and write, and after the Civil War, she operated a hotel and grocery store in East Knoxville. As a teenager, Cal was sent to McClung's estate in Campbell's Station (modern Farragut
Farragut, Tennessee
Farragut is a town in Knox and Loudon counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, and is generally a suburb of nearby Knoxville. Farragut's population was 20,689 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area...
), where he tended the family's horses. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he befriended noted Knoxville saloon owner Patrick Sullivan, and helped Sullivan (who was away fighting in the war) relay messages back and forth to his family.
Following the war, Johnson helped exhume soldiers' bodies from temporary graves at battlefield sites for reinterment in cemeteries. He struggled financially, however, and sank into alcoholism and poverty. He finally found employment as a bartender, and in 1879, used his savings to lease a saloon at the corner of Gay and Vine. By the mid-1880s, he had accumulated around $20,000, and bought the saloon outright. He also purchased two other saloons, one at the corner of Vine and Central, the other at the corner of Gay and Wall. By the turn of the century, his saloon at the corner of Gay and Vine, known as the Poplar Log (later renamed the Lone Tree), was one of the most popular in the city.
Johnson served as an alderman on Knoxville's city council from 1883 to 1885. He also began buying thoroughbred racehorses, and attended races across the South. In 1893, one of his horses broke a world speed record at the Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Johnson also established Knoxville's only racetrack, in what is now the Burlington neighborhood near Chilhowee Park
Chilhowee Park
Chilhowee Park is a public park, fairgrounds and exhibition venue in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, located off Magnolia Avenue in East Knoxville. Developed in the late 19th century, the park is now home to the Tennessee Valley Fair, and hosts several dozen expositions annually...
. The track has since been converted into a street, Speedway Circle.
In 1907, Knoxville passed a prohibition ordinance that forced the city's saloons, including Johnson's, to close. The following year, Johnson opened one of Knoxville's first movie houses on Central, but the business failed. In 1910, as part of the Appalachian Exposition, Johnson cut down a lone tree in the middle of his racetrack to allow the first airplane to visit the city to land. He later donated a house at the corner of Vine and Patton for the establishment of the city's African-American YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. At his death in 1925, his net worth was estimated at $300,000 to $500,000.
Legacy
In 1898, Johnson constructed a three-story warehouse building on State Street in downtown Knoxville. Now known as the Cal Johnson Building, this structure is a contributing property in the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
-listed Gay Street Commercial Historic District. In 1922, the city established a park for its black residents, which it named Cal Johnson Park in Johnson's honor. Johnson donated a concrete fountain and arched entranceway for the park, though these have since been removed. In 1957, the city built the Cal Johnson Recreation Center inside the park.
See also
- Charles W. CanslerCharles W. CanslerCharles Warner Cansler was an American educator, civil rights advocate, and author, active primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA...
- Peter KernPeter Kern (American businessman)Peter Kern was a German-born American businessman and politician active in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known as the founder of the confections company that eventually evolved into Kern's Bakery, a brand still marketed in the Knoxville area...
- James G. SterchiJames G. SterchiJames Gilbert Sterchi was an American businessman, best known as the cofounder and head of the furniture wholesaler, Sterchi Brothers Furniture Company. At its height, Sterchi Brothers was the world's largest furniture store chain, with sixty-five stores across the southeastern United States and a...
- William F. YardleyWilliam F. YardleyWilliam Francis Yardley was an American attorney, politician and civil rights advocate, operating primarily out of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the late 19th century. He was Tennessee's first African American gubernatorial candidate, and is believed to have been the first African American attorney to...