Bob Beamon

Bob Beamon (born in 1946) is a former track and field athete. He is best known for his world record in the long jump at the Mexico Olympics in 1968. The length measured was 8.90 m (29 ft. 2 1/2 in.). Beamon broke the old record by nearly two feet. He hold the record for more than 22 years. Beamon came to the University of Texas at El Paso in 1965, with a track and field scholarship. He was UTEP’s first NCAA individual champion, winning the long jump and triple jump at the 1968 indoor championships in Detroit. Two months later, the sophomore and several teammates were dismissed from the UTEP team for refusing to compete against Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They alleged that it had racist policies. After setting the world record, Beamon competed irregularly and retired before the 1972 Olympics. Later he was a track coach, did youth work, and participated in various sports-related activities, including fund-raising for the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1984. In 1983 he was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Beamon is also a member of the UTEP Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Area: Central / University

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Bob Beamon. Photo ID: Bob Beamon - [from Athletics] - Ath_Alum_Beamon,

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Charter members of American Legion Club

Charter members of the Col. Louis A. Carter Post No. 58A of the American Legion Club pose in their meeting room. The American Legion in Texas is a nonpolitical organization started after World War I, which aided veterans through legislation to secure access to hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and finding employment. It now is a large non-profit organization with more than 2 million members and with extended programs and activities. Col. Louis A. Carter Post No. 58A (since 1953: Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832) was chartered in the 1940s. During that time in the state of Texas, membership in the American Legion did not take into account race, creed, color religion or gender, but rather an individual's devotion to military service during the time of war or conflict as established by Congress. As a way to distinguish a post whose membership were predominantly black, the post was assigned an 800 number. At the time when Post 832 was formed and chartered, most of the black people in El Paso lived in the area where the post is today. There also were a lot of black-owned businesses in the area. As time has changed, Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832 has become one of the most prominent American Legion posts in Texas. The post is named in honor of Col. Louis A. Carter who became the only chaplain to serve with all four regular Army black regiments. On April 29, 1936, he became the first regular Army black chaplain to be promoted to the rank of colonel.

Area: Central / Chamizal

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Leona Washington Photograph Collection. Photo ID: PH033-charter members of American Legion Club - Louis A. Carter Mr McCall.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

Members of the American Legion Club

Members of the Col. Louis A. Carter Post No. 58A of the American Legion Club pose in their meeting room. The American Legion in Texas is a nonpolitical organization started after World War I, which aided veterans through legislation to secure access to hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and finding employment. It now is a large non-profit organization with more than 2 million members and with extended programs and activities. Col. Louis A. Carter Post No. 58A (since 1953: Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832) was chartered in the 1940s. During that time in the state of Texas, membership in the American Legion did not take into account race, creed, color religion or gender, but rather an individual's devotion to military service during the time of war or conflict as established by Congress. As a way to distinguish a post whose membership were predominantly black, the post was assigned an 800 number. At the time when Post 832 was formed and chartered, most of the black people in El Paso lived in the area where the post is today. There also were a lot of black-owned businesses in the area. As time has changed, Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832 has become one of the most prominent American Legion posts in Texas. The post is named in honor of Col. Louis A. Carter who became the only chaplain to serve with all four regular Army black regiments. On April 29, 1936, he became the first regular Army black chaplain to be promoted to the rank of colonel.

Area: Central / Chamizal

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Leona Washington Photograph Collection. Photo ID: PH033-2-17-2.jpg.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

Ruth Sumpter with Soldiers

Ruth Sumpter (1907 - 1988) posed with soldiers. The image is probably from the late 1940s. African American and white soldiers are posing together - the desegregation of the U.S. army started in 1948. The occasion of the photograph is not known.

Area: Northeast / Ft. Bliss

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Leona Washington Photograph Collection. Photo ID: PH033-2-1-6.jpg.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections