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Profiles of the first homesteaders
Mr. Gordon Heights Homesteader – 1942
I have been living here these past fifteen years. We have all the elbow room we want. We raise vegetables, chickens and even a piglet or two.
We are not in the wilderness.
We have churches of all denominations. We have a playground, a firehouse, a community center, a social club, and Sport clubs. Our men and our women, our boys and our girls find plenty to do here.
Whether it be church work, civic or social, there’s always something going on that needs our help and attention.
I am glad I’ve settled here. My wife and I feel happier because of it. So will you, when you make up your mind to join us. Don’t worry about leaving the city. You’ll find your work and activities right here. We are all waiting for you. There is plenty of room for all of you.
Godspeed!
Gordon Heights Homesteader: Mrs. Thelma Hall
Mrs. Thelma Hall was one of the earliest pioneers in Gordon Heights. Mrs. Hall was formerly a member of the Lincoln Drama Ensemble in New York of which a cousin, Mrs. Evelyn Ellis, played one of the original roles of Bess in Porgy and Bess.
Because Mrs. Hall had the responsibility of taking care of her cousin and traveling with her as a professional actress, Mrs. Hall also played bit parts in the theatre. It was while in the theatre in New York with this acting company that she first heard of Gordon Heights.
Mr. Fife came to the theatres seeking blacks who wished to fulfill that dream of country living. Mrs. Hall’s cousin was interested, and between 1927-28, they bought property on Dunbar – the present home of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong.
This was known as Mr. Fife’s hunting lodge. People who came out to look at property and the area were also fed and rested at this site.
When Mrs. Ellis decided to return to the theatre, after some illness, she re-sold the house to Mr. Fife. While she lived in this house, it was also a chicken farm, and Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Ellis shared a business with Mr. Fife of country egg selling to city dwellers. When Mrs. Ellis returned to the city and the theatre, Mrs. Hall remained and ran what was the first water system in this area. Mr. Fife leased out water to the new home owners with a well and pump which remains in the Armstrong home. It was from this system that the first water came to Gordon Heights. It served the young community for many years.
Mrs. Hall also produced, directed, and participated in many original presentations for the community with many of the young people. She knew many people in the theatre and they came out to help her. This was a form of entertainment for the community, especially the participating young people.
Mrs. Hall also remembers how the young community enjoyed bus outings, picnics, swimming, and other activities. The night entertainment spot was the Casino, later to be bought by Mr. McNeese and known as Gordon Heights Rest. This building, located on Granny Road, was bought by Mr. Fife as an entertainment center in order not to use the churches for non-church activities. When Mr. McNeese later bought the hotel area, the place was combined. People now enjoyed entertainment and a place to live (the hotel).
Mrs. Hall remembers how difficult it was for Mr. Fife to secure property and to build in this community for lack of money or a place to secure it. Whites in certain areas knew who Mr. Fife was buying and building for. Racism and discrimination dominated thinking and attitudes towards the young black settlement.
Interestingly, however, there was an old white man known as “Pop” Gordon. He owned, originally, most of the property around the area – sections 1-4 – among which was the hotel which Mr. Fife bought. Mrs. Hall remembers him as a kind, old man. The community was named after him. It became Gordon Heights.
Mr. Hall, who came to Gordon Heights later (around 1933), was a member of the first black fire department of the community and New York State. He was one of the few blacks who did not have to travel back and forth to the city for his livelihood. He ran a taxi from the community to Medford and worked at Northport Hospital. Mrs. Hall continued her work with Mr. Fife in the Armstrong home fro many years. Along with her was a white man employed by Mr. Fife as a caretaker, Mr. Smith, and later, a Mr. Johnston, also employed as a caretaker.
And so, the first homesteaders came and began to build a life and a community.
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