Historical Markers Project: Lt. Henry O. Flipper Site

Research Packet and Narrative by:  Tommy Vicks and Dr. George D. Torok 

Honors Project, Summer 2002

National Endowment for the Humanities Historical Markers Project

Narrative History: Henry O. Flipper

Henry O. Flipper was born a slave in Thomasville, Georgia in 1856. His family later moved to Atlanta and in 1873, Flipper became the first African-American cadet to graduate from West Point. He was the first black officer in the regular army and in 1877 was assigned to the 10^th U.S. Cavalry Regiment at Fort Davis, Texas, which included the famous “buffalo soldiers.” In 1882, in what was probably a racially-motivated attack, Lieutenant Flipper was charged and tried before a General Court-Martial. He was cleared of embezzlement charges but was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer.”  Flipper was dismissed from the Army and spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name.^[i]

Henry Flipper spent the next 37 years in the Southwest working as a mining engineer, surveyor, and translator. From the 1880s to the early years of the 20^th century, Flipper spent time in El Paso, arranging work and writing reports. He did contract work for many mining companies in both the United States and northern Mexico. He worked extensively for Colonel William C. Greene and Albert Fall who both promoted his work and became close friends. Flipper also became an authority on Southwestern history and folklore, writing articles for Old Santa Fe (forerunner of the New Mexico Historical Review) and conducting research in New Mexico, Mexico, and Spain. Flipper was well-known and respected in the African-American community of El Paso. During the Mexican Revolution, there was a rumor that Flipper was serving with Pancho Villa’s troops, a rumor that followed him the rest of his life.^[ii]

Flipper never owned property in El Paso but according to city directories he spent ten years living in two of the city’s many boarding houses. For eight years, from 1910 to 1919, he resided at  803 ½  El Paso Street. This two-story building is still standing and in use at the corner of El Paso Street and Father Rahm Avenue.^[iii] From 1919 to 1920, Flipper lived at 202 E. Third Street. This two-story brick building stands at the corner of Third and Oregon Streets and houses a few residents and small businesses. Faded lettering on the side of the building advertises furnished rooms and beds available from twenty-five cents.

In 1920, Flipper followed Fall to Washington, serving under him as Assistant Secretary of the Interior in the Harding Administration. He eventually returned to Atlanta where he died in 1940 at the age of eighty-four, without having cleared his name. In 1976, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records issued an honorable discharge. Lt. Henry O. Flipper was formally pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 1999.^[iv]  Flipper was described by southwest historian J. Frank Dobie as a “remarkable character.” During his adventurous lifetime he helped break new ground for African-Americans and gained the respect of many prominent people throughout the nation.<[v]

Suggested Marker Text:  Lt. Henry O. Flipper Marker

Henry O. Flipper was described by southwest historian J. Frank Dobie as a “remarkable character” and during his adventurous lifetime he helped break new ground for African-Americans. Although born a slave in Georgia before the Civil War, he became the first African-American to graduate from West Point and the first black officer in the regular army. In 1877, Lieutenant Flipper was assigned to the 10^th U.S. Cavalry Regiment at Fort Davis, Texas, which included the famous “buffalo soldiers.” In 1882, in what was probably a racially-motivated attack, he was tried before a General Court-Martial and dismissed from the Army.

Although his military career had ended, Henry Flipper’s adventures had just begun. He spent the next 37 years working as a mining engineer, surveyor, and translator throughout the Southwest and northern Mexico. For ten years he lived in El Paso working for prominent mining companies and making the acquaintance of Albert Fall. He also became an authority on Southwestern history and folklore writing articles for many prominent publications.  In 1920, under the Harding Administration,  Flipper became the first black man to be appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Despite his many accomplishments, Flipper was unable to clear his name. He eventually returned to Atlanta where he died in 1940 at the age of eighty-four.  In 1976 the Army Board for Correction of Military Records issued an honorable discharge. Lt. Henry O. Flipper was formally pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 1999.

El Paso (TX) Herald-Post Apr. 10, 1963.

El Paso (TX) Times Sept. 22, 1975; July 24, 1997; Feb. 19, 1999.

Web Site Sources:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraires: Documenting the American South. http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/flipper/menu.html