A note on Arthur Wake Jr from the oral history book “All We Had Was Each Other”

Here is a quote about Arthur Wake, Jr from the book “All We Had Was Each Other, The Black Community of Madison, Indiana”:

A number of people from the Colored community of Madison went on to be successful. Our little community was very encouraging and supportive. But we were very isolated, socially and in many other ways. We were limited in experience, as well as limited educationally and culturally. I’m not sure growing up as we did really prepared us for the multiple, more sophisticated problems in the world outside of Madison. Yet many of us went out into that world and did well by most standards.

In this context, a good friend comes to mind: Arthur Wake, Jr. Arthur and I went through Broadway School together. He was an unusual person, a very determined individual. For example, he set himself the task of reading the encyclopedias in the high school library, and he read them all, A to Z, cover to cover. We had many theoretical discussions; of course, Arthur had the advantage of the encyclopedias.

After high school, he went to Purdue University, became an engineer, and had a very successful career. It was Arthur who helped to plan and develop the entire interstate road system in the city of Indianapolis. All of the city’s network of major highways, that was his work, that was his doing. It was quite an accomplishment. The same drive that made him read those encyclopedias also motivated him to achieve this success in his life. There was a subconscious force in him, perhaps a sense of need, as well, to be self-sufficient.

Also, quite amazing that Arthur, Jr. read the entire encyclopedia as a high school student and ended up as such an accomplished city planner!