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The community grows
As the community grew, Mr. Fife gave names to the various roads, later streets. Beach Lane was named after the Beaches; Adams Lane was named after Mrs. Thelma Adams Hall; Carr Lane was named after the Carrs. There was even a Robeson Lane named after the famous Paul Robeson, black singer and opera performer.
The roads became smoother and were the first thing that intrigued Mr. Beaton as he drove, in 1932, to Gordon Heights. He described it as a “smooth concrete ride from the city down Jericho Turnpike to Gordon Heights.”
There were eight homes in the community at that time. These were the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Rich, Mrs. Brodie, Mrs. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Gray (Prof. Gray) and his sister-in-law’s house, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Carter, and Mrs. Morris.
Mr. Beaton bought 40 lots (20 x 100) on Hawkins in 1933. His fulfilled dream was to raise chickens and have a cow. Lots were $35 each.
Mr. Beaton built his home, but with a different builder than Fife because of a difference in opinion in price of building and building a very different kind of home with much larger rooms. Mr. Beaton remembers discrimination and racial problems with getting money to build and problems Mr. Fife faced securing additional sections of land in Gordon Heights, most specifically, the land near Jericho Turnpike which is now Wilson Avenue.
In spite of prejudice and building problems, black continued their pilgrimage to Gordon Heights. Around 1936, the Fredericks came, and later, the Beaches, the Henrys, the Gilmores, the Flats came to make their home.
Because of lack of telephone poles, the town refused light. Telephone poles were denied because the town felt the residents couldn’t pay for it. The residents then discovered that they could get the poles put up if they accepted the telephone. The black residents then proceeded to get phones. This was around 1947-48. And so the lights (in homes) came. It took 14 years for lights and telephone services. The residents used wood to cook and kerosene lamps for light.
Children traveled a mile to school in Yaphank. The school in Yaphank was closed and then they were transported to Port Jefferson by bus. The bus came to Granny Road first and then later came closer to the homes to pick up. Later, of course, schools were erected and the area became centralized and known as Middle Island Central Schools. A very unique black man became the first black to serve on the Board of Education. His name was Tyrell Wilson.
Tyrell Wilson
Tyrell Wilson came to Gordon Heights to live in 1940 with his family. He planted his roots firmly as continued his involvement in the improvement and concern for mankind. He came to this community already a devoted civic worker. In 1946, after the first presidency of Walter Brown of the newly charted Gordon Heights Progressive Association, Tyrell Wilson became president of the Civic Association and served for ten years as its president. During that time, the Civic Association was able to get power lines in 1947.
Because again there was a problem of where to meet, land was finally secured by this Association on its present site. It was planned that this site would eventually serve two functions – a meeting place and a place to house fire equipment.
Building materials were donated by the residents for the building and the men of the community gave their labor. An earlier fire, the first church building by Mrs. Spence, had proven without a doubt the need for a fire department. And so this building would serve that function too.
Prior to the Gordon Heights Progressive Association, there was a Civic League with the same objectives as the Progressive Association. They very soon merged their efforts to make for a stronger community.
In 1948, Mr. Tyrell Wilson became the first black man to serve on the Board of Education in Middle Island Central Schools. In 1951, he was able to get the first black teacher hired in the district. She was Mrs. Samuel Farrell.
Mr. Wilson’s civic work continued and he retired in 1970. He is still active, however, in the development of Gordon Heights.
Other prominent community members
The community continued to grow and continues. More sections of the community opened up as rapidly as the earlier sections. The Coram sections of land became available and land was bought throughout the Coram sections.
Many residents either through their professions or talents contributed so much. Mr. Sydney Murray worked long and hard with real estate and also found time to be a poet and singer. He also served many years as president of the Progressive Association.
Let us not forget the great women in the settlement of this community. Mrs. Alberta Beach, who worked long and hard with the Ladies Auxiliary during those early years in establishment of its work. She was also the black reporter for the community to the Long Island Advance while also serving as financial recording secretary for many years to the
Progressive Association. She was very involved in church work also.
Mrs. Zeathe Armstrong was a very devoted and kind mother to many homeless children for many years in the community. There were others – many – like her.
Mrs. Hall’s involvement in the community was mentioned earlier. Mrs. Spence was responsible for the first church building. Mrs. Woodburn worked with the youth of the community in recreation for many years. Mrs. Hylton Pinto also worked with the Progressive Association and programs with the youth especially her sewing classes at St. Michael’s. Mrs. Haynes, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Lena Smith, Mrs. Brooks Payne, Mrs. T. Wilson, Mrs. M. Carpenter, Mrs. Hattie Jackson, Mrs. B. Allman, Mother Hudson, and Mother Christian were all contributors in the building of this great community. And the list goes on and on.
The women of Gordon Heights were not housewives. They were supportive spouses. They were builders of homes for their family and a community for their families and neighbors. They sacrificed and supported every effort to make a home and a community. They helped and sometimes alone fought fires. They gave parties and sold refreshments to earn money, not for themselves, but for a growing fire department and Progressive Association – a community. In spite of all the struggle and hardship in those early years, they helped to build homes, continued families, and shared in the development of a black community of pride – Gordon Heights.
The history of this great community is still developing. Homes are going up each and every day. The movement from the city to Long Island and Gordon Heights continues. The desire for a piece of land to grow things and to find growth for families and a community goes on.
The original organizations are growing and many community needs are being met. New organizations and cultural needs are being discovered. People are beginning to become as involved as in early years. More families, however, are finding that they must maintain their jobs in the city as with the earlier settlers, but jobs have been available for a few.
The development of the black community of Gordon Heights has come a long way. The residents years ago gave the community a foundation. Today’s residents must continue to build on that foundation. Gordon Heights, we love you!
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