Bryco gas station photograph   Save
C. W. Bryant, Jr. Collection
Description: Photograph of employees standing in front of a Bryco gas station, located at the corner of Long and Garfield Streets in Columbus, Ohio, 1933. This was one of 14 Bryco stations in Columbus, which were all owned by local African American businessman C. W. Bryant. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL04470
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Business and Labor; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Gas stations
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)