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The History of Gordon Heights
Produced by
Gordon Heights Civic Association, Inc.
1977
Foreward
The first settlements
Profiles of the first homesteaders
The community grows
Tyrell Wilson
Other prominent community members
Early organizations and sites
From Newsday, 2006
Images
Foreward
Fifty years ago, a group of pioneers settled a community later to be known as Gordon Heights. These pioneers left the metropolitan city of New York for many reasons and migrated to Eastern Long Island to settle with their families, possessions, and dreams. These dreams were very simple. The visions of these early settlers were of a home to raise their families; land to plant and watch God’s wonders grow; peace and quiet to share with their neighbors; opportunity to breathe God’s fresh air and an opportunity to give their children more educationally. These pioneers were Black Americans who were seeking a better way of life in “God’s Country” – Gordon Heights.
There were, indeed, many of this group we could mention who are still a part of Gordon Heights. Others have traveled on further into “God’s Country.” We are, indeed, deeply moved and grateful to those who have given of their time and memories to make the story of this community possible in print. Some of these contributors were: Mrs. Thema Hall, Mr. James Beaton, Mr. Tyrell Wilson, Mrs. Spence, Mrs. Sidney Murray, Mrs. Alberta Beach, and many others via tapes and conversations.
A special thanks and appreciation to Russell Wetson, who gave of his time, expertise, and energy interviewing and taping these interviews in order to place the story in proper factual perspective. Also, a special thanks to Mrs. Burwell for her contribution to the telling of this story.
A special mention of Mrs. Yvonne Rivers for her motivation, stimulation, and dedication to the group working on this writing of the history of Gordon Heights. It was a dream of Mrs. Rivers and the committee is happy and pleased to have been organized by her to pursue this end.
We, of the Committee and the community, are extremely grateful to Mrs. Marianne Byers, who undertook the literary task and compiled these historical facts into a skillful arrangement of harmony and elegance.
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