Lester Maddox's "Pickrick Drumstick" Axe Handle
Item
Collections Identifier
AR_00022
Collection Title
Lester Maddox's "Pickrick Drumstick" Axe Handle
Date Span
1965
Alternative Title
Lester Maddox
Inclusive Subjects
African Americans -- Segregation
Blacks -- Segregation
Business enterprises
Civil rights
Blacks -- Segregation
Business enterprises
Civil rights
Number of Boxes
1
Finding Aid Author(s)
Luis A. Berthin
Scope and Content
Lester Maddox was a Georgian who owned a restraunt in Atlanta known as the Pickrick. As a staunch segregationist he was against the 1954 Brown V. Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Maddox actually filed a lawsuit to conintue his segregationist policies.
In April of 1964, some african american student demonstrators attempted to stage a sit-in, however before they could arrive Maddox confronted the group with a bare axe handle. Maddox along with some employees and customers pulled the handles from the nail kegs on each side of the resturant fireplace. These handles came to be known as the Pickrick Drumsticks. Due to this response Maddox was heralded as a political figure defending "private property rights" and segregation.
Maddox closed the restaurant rather than serve african american customers. When he attempted to re-open the restaurant and tried to only serve "acceptable" customers he was taken to court and was held in contmept. Maddox used his actions as a launch board for his political ambitions and became the 75th Governor of Georgia from 1967-71.
In April of 1964, some african american student demonstrators attempted to stage a sit-in, however before they could arrive Maddox confronted the group with a bare axe handle. Maddox along with some employees and customers pulled the handles from the nail kegs on each side of the resturant fireplace. These handles came to be known as the Pickrick Drumsticks. Due to this response Maddox was heralded as a political figure defending "private property rights" and segregation.
Maddox closed the restaurant rather than serve african american customers. When he attempted to re-open the restaurant and tried to only serve "acceptable" customers he was taken to court and was held in contmept. Maddox used his actions as a launch board for his political ambitions and became the 75th Governor of Georgia from 1967-71.
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