Walls Family Photograph Collection

Walls Family Photograph Collection

The Walls Family was one of the most prominent African American families in Atlantic City in the early 20th century. George H. Walls was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1862. He arrived in Atlantic City some time before 1881 and established himself as an entrepreneur and community leader. As early as 1896, Walls opened the first – and for a long time only – African American owned business on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City: Walls’ Bathhouse located at 2617 Boardwalk at Texas Avenue. Walls’ Bathhouse was an inclusive business and catered to both white and black patrons. In addition to being a businessman, Walls was a highly involved member of the community. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, a founder of the Jethro Memorial Presbyterian Church, and in 1894 organized the group of individuals who created the Northside YMCA. One of Walls’ most significant contributions to Atlantic City history was in the field of education reform. In 1881, Walls created the Literary Society through the Price Memorial AME Zion Church in Atlantic City. The Literary Society lobbied for improved education for black children in the City, with the assumption that black children were better served by black educators. The Literary society pushed for a resolution to appoint a black teacher within the city, and in 1896 Hattie E. Merritt was hired. In 1900, the school board voted for separate education for black students in the primary levels, initiating the controversial practice of racial segregation in Atlantic City’s school system. George H. Walls married Lucille (Lucy) Christmas of Warrington, North Carolina. They had four children, Carrie Belle, Ruth, Ada Adeline and George H. Jr. Ada Walls married John R. Major, a mortician. She was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and taught both in Durham, North Carolina and Atlantic City, New Jersey. After retiring from her career as a teacher, she worked for the Atlantic County Public Health Services. Ruth Walls married James Martin and lived in New York City. George H. Jr. served in the Army during World War II and died in Connecticut. No further biographical information for Lucille or Carrie Belle is available. Other notable relatives include James Christmas, Lucille’s nephew and an Atlantic City police officer, who guarded the “Spirit of Saint Louis” during its historic stop in Atlantic City. George H. Walls died in New York City on October 25, 1954.