2-835-420 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Under segregation in the United States, Black people were prohibited from using the same facilities as whites. They were forced to use separate and often inferior services such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transport. A metal double-sided black railroad sign that reads: [WAITING ROOM / FOR WHITES / ONLY / BY ORDER OF / POLICE DEPT.] in white paint. The writing is on a framed square plaque at the top of the sign. The sign post is round and has metal work at the top where the plaque meets the post and that the bottom where the post meets the base. The base is round. There is orange paint that is visible in spots where the black paint has peeled. There is also rust on the bottom of the base.