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Name:    Turpin, Charles Udell
Profession:  Politician
Category:  African-American Experience, Economy/Employment, Politics and Government
Born/Started:    1870
Died/Ended:    1935
Description:    Charles Turpin was the owner of the Booker T. Washington Theatre at 2248 Market Street. The theatre was among the first theatres in the United States built and operated by and for African Americans. It had a seating capacity of 1000 and featured vaudeville and live entertainment. Charles Turpin was also the first black elected to local political office. He was elected constable in 1910 and was re-elected in 1914 and 1918. In 1928, he was elected justice of the peace and was reelected in 1934. Charles Turpin is the brother of Thomas Million Turpin.



Events
First African-American Elected Official

Reference
Discovering African-American St. Louis
More People
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