Joseph Johnson, son of John Calvary Johnson, served as a member of the U.S. Army during WWI. He was one of the first Lakelanders in service to his country. From the founding of the community, Lakeland residents worked individually and collectively to serve and defend their community and nation.
THE EVENING STAR.) - July 20, 1917 - page 17 Help wanted - white man to care for horse, cow and garden see William Van Valkenburg, Lakeland
The Air Mail crew celebrates a successful flight. College Park Air Field Plane- Max Miller's JR-1B United States Post Office Department (USPOD) Aerial Mail Flight
Includes details of facilities on train line. Covers Lakeland, Berwyn, Branchville, and Daniel’s Park. Shown are indicators of a water tower near the lake and station signs between Cloud Avenue and Pierce Avenue. The map also lists acquisition information for railroad property. Lakeland is shown along with the location’s mileage designation, 1149+657 and is marked Lakeland Platforms, other notations include Berwyn Station, and Branchville Station.
District 16, Hyattsville
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Paint Branch near Lakeland Image from 1918 railroad survey
Railroad survey Image
Image from railroad survey
Image from railroad survey
Image from railroad survey
Washington Evening Star Ad seeking a farm hand for wages of $40 a month plus room, and board. Contact Pleasant Brown, Lakeland
Washington Evening Star Ad Vegetable plants for sale contact Pleasant Brown at his Lakeland residence.
Car left at residence
Letter to the Editor of Afro-American Miss Mack's impression of Lakeland
The Baltimore Afro American June 3 1921 pg 11 Lakeland On June 1 there was a rally at First Baptist Church. Present for the event were Rev. Manokey of Campbell AME Church, Anacostia DC, Rev A.A. Murray of Bladensburg, Md, Rev. Dames of Embry AME along with their congregations. The event was held by George Branson and Rev. M. W. Lucus is pastor. Despite thunder showers $12 was raised and the church was at capacity. A.C. Tolson has been sick in bed for two weeks. He is now getting better and is out and about. Mildred Russell is still ill but she is improving. Julia Douglas hosted Julia Mills, Lily Cregg, Matilda Chesley, Rev and Mrs. Manokey of Anacostia DC as well as Rev and Mrs. Dames, Mr. and Mrs. J.W.C. Mack and family for dinner on Sunday. Lakeland School No. 3 District 1 held graduation exercises at Fairmont Heights MD on May 26,27 and 29. Graduates from Lakeland were Ames W. Brown, James. E. Lomax, Cara O. Briggs, Anna R. Gross, Arlina Madeline Hicks and Louise C. Lewis. Attendees were Mrs. S.J. Lewis, Benjamin Hicks, Julia Mack, Bessie Mack, and young Lewis. Mrs. S.J. Lewis has returned home after attending her father’s funeral in North Carolina. Principles of the Community Club of Lakeland are 1.To better traveling conditions 2. To have lights installed 3. To bring about Christian unity in the Lakeland community.
Baltimore Afro American August 26, 1921 Lakeland, Maryland Planning is nearly done for rebuilding of Embry AME Church. Their goal is to get work underway and finished before the weather turns cold. Embry AME Church is preparing for a village camp meeting August 28 to September 18 with services each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. A large tent will house the events. They invite pastors, and musical groups to participate. Rev. J.A. Dames is pastor and George Randall is Church Clerk. Rev. Wesley of Ebenezer Church, Georgetown, DC preached at 3 pm at Embry At First Baptist Church Communion was celebrated by Rev. G.W.M. Lucus the pastor. J.C. Johnson is home after visiting Pittsburgh, Pa for several months After spending a week at a Boy Scout event at Perryville, MD Benjamin Briscoe and Robert E. Brooks have returned home. For several days Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hicks had as guests Rev. and Mrs. A. A. Dames. Rev. and Mrs. A. A. Jones of College Park, MD have returned home after vising family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. James Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dorsey, Mr. and Mrs. John Spriggs, Mr. John Webster, Mrs. Joseph Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Washington and Mr. Charles Richardson attended the annual Horse and Cattle show at Colesville in Montgomery County. Hannah Thomas returned from a visit to Ocean City, Maryland The carnival sponsored by Embry AME Church was successful.
Baltimore Afro American August 19, 1921 At Embry AME Church Rev. J.A. Dames held services. Re. J. M. Brown preached in the afternoon and Joseph Conway preached in the evening. The collection was $12.50. Rosa Grass, Millie Weather and Mary Spriggs went to Gamble, Camp Melton with John Webster Mr. and Mrs. James Gray had Rev. A.A. Murry of Dent Chapel, Bladensburg and Rev. J.A. Dames on Sunday. A successful carnival was sponsored by Embry AME Church Lessie Jones is on a vacation to the Eastern Shore A lecture was given by Dr. A. Wood of the University of Maryland at First Baptist Church. Rev. G.M. W. Lucas is pastor.
Baltimore Afro American May 27, 1921 Lakeland At Embry AME Church pastor Rev. J.A. Dames preached at 11 am. Presiding Elder Dr. Jas. A. Briscoe preached at 3 pm and presided over a quarterly conference. That night the Christian Endeavor League reorganized with M.A. Briscoe as president. Embry AME Church is planning is underway for a rally to be held in July. It will be a benefit to raise funds for remodeling the church. Charles S. Dorsey had Reve and Mrs. Dames and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur ? to dinner last Sunday. At First Baptist Church Rev. Sister Goins of Baltimore preached to benefit a rally sponsored by Pleasant Brown. The Community Club has made improvements to Lakeland’s roads. The group’s leadership is Mary Walls as president and Hannah Thomas as secretary. They are building a petition to be given to the county commissioners requesting the county take over care of the roads. J.W.C. Mack had Rev. W.H. Paton as a guest. On Sunday while playing ball Joseph Thomas was hit with a ball and lost consciousness. Mr. William Gross is building a large hall. Sadie Gross has returned home after a visit with friends in Baltimore The funeral for John Cregg of Anacostia was held at Ebenezer Church in Washington.
Baltimore Afro American July 8, 1921 Lakeland Rev A.A. Jones preached at 11 am, Rev. Lewis at 3 pm and Rev. John Snowden and the choir from Mukirk provided services at 8 pm. All were in support of raising funds to remodel Embry AME Church. The goal is $600. Help from friends and others is invited. A benefit concert was held at Gross Hall by the Concert Company of Washington, DC. on June 30 for the cause. First Baptist Church held Children’s Day. Arthur Brooks is superintendent there and the pastor is Rev. M.W. Lucus. Rev. A. A. Murray of Dents Chapel Bladensburg performed the marriage ceremony of Charles S. Dorsey and Miss Slaughter at Mr. Dorsey’s home in Washington DC. Present were immediate family members Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey had a dinner party. Present were Rev. and Mrs. Dames, Rev and Mrs. Lewis of Washington DC, Rev and Mrs. Arthur Jones, Miss Sophia Slaughter, Mr. James Thomas of Washington DC, Mr. and Mrs. James Gray had William Gray and friends as guests. Mildred Russell and Sarah Tucker are still ill. Spencer Dory made a fast trip to Charlotte Hall Maryland Aline Thomas went to visit her sick father
Baltimore Afro- American June 24, 1921 Lakeland Pastor of Embry AME Church is Rev. J.A. Dames. Visiting the church were Rev. R. H. Dames, Presiding Elder from the Madison District of the Florida conference and his young daughter Erma. Rev. R.H. Dames preached at 11 am service. The church was full that evening for Children’s Day exercise put on by the Sunday School headed by superintendent, George Randall. Susie Gray acted as organist. A large group from the Community Club went before the County Commissioners of Prince Georges County to present a petition asking that Lakeland’s roads be placed on their care. The Community Club had an entertainment event at Brown Store. Rev. M.W. Lucus is pastor of First Baptist Church. The men of the church presented a program on the tribes of Israel and raised $5000. Members of Embry’s Sunday School and Superintendent Randall visited Queens Chapel in Muirkirk for their Children’s Day exercises. Mr. and Mrs. Green of Washington DC moved into the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Palm. Victor Randall married Francis Rallings from Elkridge, Md Mrs. Daniel Washington was accidently hit on the face by a ball. Sarah Tucker is ill Mildred Tucker has gone to Freedman’s Hospital for care, Charles Johnson was present on Tuesday for a meeting of the County Wide Progressive Club in Malboro Last Sunday Viola Tolson visited her uncle J.W.C. Mack and brother A.C. Tolson
Baltimore Afro-American May 6, 1921 Lakeland Pastor of Embry, Rev. S. T. Crawford was away at conference. Sister Annie Jones sponsored a missions day at the church. She lives in College Park but had lived in Baltimore. Participants in services that day included Rev Miner of Alexandria Memorial Church in Washington DC, Rev. Authur A. Jones of Northern Baptist Church of Baltimore. The event raised $12 for missions. Embry AME Church was assigned a new pastor. Mary Falls gave a grand entertainment to benefit Embry Church. Mr. and Mrs. James Gray went to the AME Church Conference in Baltimore. Mr. Spencer Mack from Baltimore visited J.W.C. Mack in Lakeland. Master Wesley Brown a son of Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant Brown fell from a tree and was hurt. N. Brewer shot himself while cleaning a gun. He is better. Julia Briscoe, Ellen Briscoe, Mr. and Mrs. J.W.C. Mack plan to go to the Elks parade and dance at Lyric Theater on May 12 in Baltimore. Harriet Hughes has been sick at home but is better now.
Studio image taken in Washington DC
Afro-American November 3, 1922 “RAZZ” The true story of a half-white, half-colored girl in Lakeland, Prince Georges County, Md Short Story The story takes place in a village called Lakeland and centers on the character of Razz. Her birth name and is not known. Nor is her origin. She appeared in the settlement as a small child who skated around the dusty town. Someone started calling her Razz and the name stuck. Razz was a young woman of strong and independent nature. She wore clothing traditional for men and chose hard labor for her work. She was marked by the belief that she was of mixed race and did not know the identity of her father. Razz did not feel she fit in the white or black communities. Despite this she was the leader among the children due to her athletic abilities.
Officers, Agents, Stations, Sidings and Mileage Lakeland is listed along with Paint Branch. Paint Branch is noted to have a water tower.
Evening Star March 14 1924 page 44 Newspaper Article Giant Catfish, King of U.S. Bureau Exhibits, Dies Victim of Chlorine 74-Pound Monster Succumbs to Substance Used to Purify District Water Supply for Humans- Stock for Nearby Streams Produced Here. The featured exhibit at the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries at 4th and B streets in Washington was a 74 pound. It recently died due to the addition of chlorine to the city water system. On several occasions the fish there have shown signs of ill effects of the chemical and staff have relocated the stock to Baltimore for a time to recover. The fish display has two purposes. They provide an interesting, educational opportunity for the public and they are used to stock streams in the area. In 1923 1,300 goldfish with weights up to three-quarters of a pound have been sent from the facility to be used in park fountains and six thousand were sent to the zoo. Salmon eggs a particularly good exhibit to show the hatching process of fish has also been featured. The resulting hatchlings have produced 8,000 chanook. For a few years these have been release into Susquehanna river. On rare occasions reports are received of a catch of these fish from that body. Conditions there are not generally conducive to a successful commercial enterprise. Salmon need water from glaciers. From the leased bureau hatchery in Lakeland, Maryland 100,000 fingerling large-mouth black bass and 100,000 fingerling crappies were sent to the Potomac and other streams. Other fish produced there for are the same kind of catfish as the former “king” as well as sunfish. Now the exhibit tanks in Washington contain whitefish and lake herring. Once the whitefish grow beyond the hatchling size they will be sent to norther new York as more southern areas are not part of their habitat. There is a move by the bureau to buy the hatchery in Lakeland as it is said to be one of the best in the nation. Assets of the Lakeland site include its location close to Washington and easy access of rail transpiration. The Lakeland hatchery is known to be a great producer of gold fish. This source has provided fish for fountains in Washington DC
Lakeland fish station
Evening Star October 14, 1924 Page 36 An inspection visit was made to the Fisheries at Lakeland by Commerce Secretary Hoover. Henry O'Malley commissioner of fisheries acted as guide. The facility had six ponds containing about 200,000 bass. Fish produced at Lakeland are used to stock Eastern streams and ponds.
Evening Star February 24, 1924 Page 4 Newspaper column Field and Stream Perry Miller Many items related to fishing are included in the piece. Only that related to Lakeland is included here. An earlier edition of the column gave information on the bureau of fisheries in Lakeland. It gave a positive report of the results there from a small area of the fishery. G.C.Leech the head of the division of fish culture is promoting the purchase of the whole area which is seventy acres. The cost for this would be $100,000. A year ago eight crappie were placed in a six acre pond. In October 35,000 were retrieved measuring three to three and one half inches. With a larger facility it is predicted several hundred million bass, crappie and bluegill beam could be produced....
Washington Post January 27, 1924 PageSM5 Near Maryland Agricultural College is a fish breeding facility on Land leased by the government. It has been used to breed goldfish. Now 23 acres of the 75 acre tract is used for crappie, bluegill bream and large mouth bass. Fish from the facility are used to stock creeks and rivers in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. To test the conditions 23 acres were stocked and the results were very favorable. Experts are advocating for the new facility at Lakeland and say it would be a boost to the economy. US lags with other countries in their consumption of fish. The process used in raising the fish is similar to that used in producing chickens. The fish are transported using steel rail cars which carry 100 to 150 ten gallon containers holding 100 to 1,000 fish each.
By Trustees of Embry AME Church
This formal portrait of Amos Guss in spats, with his signature cigar, was taken around 1925. Guss was one of Lakeland's longest-surviving World War I veterans. In January 1919, at the age of 22, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. For the next 70 years, he spoke proudly of his military service and was an active member of the American Legion.
From Julius Rosenwald Fund Archives, Franklin Library Special Collections
This flyer advertises the 1925 Union picnic. For many years the First Baptist Church and Embry African Methodist Episcopal Church sponsored a joint annual Sunday School picnic. It was held at Suburban Gardens in the Deanwood neighborhood of the District of Columbia. Unlike others, the seven-acre amusement park welcomed African-American visitors to enjoy the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, swimming pools, and picnic grounds. Suburban Gardens opened in 1921 and was in operation until 1940.
Maryland White Sox of Lakeland
Washington Evening Star Ad Three stacks of hay for sale by Pleasant Brown, Lakeland, Prince George's County
The Baltimore Afro American March 21 1925 p. A. 15 Lakeland, Maryland Rev. Lucas had a large congregation at First Baptist church At Embry AME Church the Sunday School is preparing for Easter. The pastor, Rev. F.P. Turner is getting ready for conference. He preached on Sunday evening. The children of J.H. Gray surprised him with a party in honor of his birthday. Guests included Ambrose Green, Rev and Mrs. J.W. Armstrong and their children, Lillie Welbourne from Bladensburg, Rev. F.P. Turner, Imogene Davis, Lawyer Peters, Mrs. G. Williams, Marie Walker, William Tayler, W,H. Gray and family, Lee Dines, Clem Hawkins, Annie Tate, Leslie Jones, and Rev. A.A. Jones from Washington DC.
The Baltimore Afro American January 24, 1925 p3 Lakeland, MD On Sunday services were held at Embry AME Church at 10:30 and 11:30. Rev Turner preached at 11:30 and Rev Rhodes of Washington DC at 8 o'clock. On Friday night Oscar, Louis and James Gray had a party at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Gray. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hodges, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moody, Bessie and Julia Mack, Eunice Johnson, Veola Siler, Sophia Slaughter, Rosa Harrison, Olivia Thomas, Bertha Lyles, Lucy Randall, Joseph Thomas, Charles Lomax, Rudolph Dock, Eonch Brooks, Ashby Tolson, James Thomas, Jeff Stevenson from Pennsylvania, and young Leon Robinson.
Baltimore Afro American December 12, 1925 Page 14 Lakeland, Maryland Services were held at Embry AME Church with Rev. Wing the pastor preaching at 11 am. Rev. Waldron of Kensington preached at 3 PM and Rev E.N. Thomas of Dent AME Church preached at 8 PM. Julia Briscoe had guests on Sunday they were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas along with their daughter as well as Mr. and Mrs. L.S. James of Bowie. The on Labor Day the annual picnic of Vermont Avenue Church and Sunday School took place at Mack’s Summer Garden. Agnes Gross and her nieces made a three week visit to her sister Emma Braxton in Philadelphia, Pa. They also visited family members in New York and Atlantic City. Emma Rollin from Elkridge Maryland and her family were weekend visitors of her daughter and son in Law, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Randall. Mrs. Randall’s uncle Roy Thompson from Baltimore made a visit. A Labor Day lawn party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Gray guests were Mr. and Mrs. McKenny and daughters, Miss Millie and Mrs. Cooper and grandchildren, Hilda Lemly and Irma Hickerbocker and Mr. Wynn of Washington DC Rev and Mrs. E.N. Thomas, Mrs. Mary James of Bladensburg and Rev Wing, Anna Jackson, Mr. Ross of Washington DC were all guests of Mr. and Mrs. Gray and their family on Sunday. Thomas Johnson is home from Freedman’s Hospital Benjamin Thomas has a fractured skull and is being treated in Freedman’s Hospital James Singleton was hit by an electric streetcar Friday night. He was treated at the hospital for a broken leg. Mr. and Mrs. J.W.C. Mack and their family had dinner guests on Sunday. They were Mrs. Daniel Stockes with the daughter Quather Stokes of Baltimore, and Mary Mahoney of New York, City. Mr. and Mrs. A. Tolson and Mrs. Briscoe had guests on Sunday. They were Mrs. Mollie Thomas with her two daughters, Mrs. Odessa Butler and son. Mrs. George Briscoe and son, Nr. R. Thomas, Mr. Whaler, Mr. Webster Tolson residents of Charlotte NC Rev. John Whalen, Mrs. Walen and family were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Mack for a few days.
Brown's Grove Christmas trees and more
Baltimore Afro American Newspaper column Page 12 Mr. and Mrs. Al Cager had a baby boy on Easter Sunday morning. At the AME Church on Sunday the superintendent, George Randall opened Sunday School. Rev. Taylor preached at 8 pm. The day marked and end to Spring Revival. Rev. Franklin P. Turner will preach his farewell sermon on Sunday, April 18. At the Baptist Church on Sunday Mary E. Johnson the superintendent opened Sunday School. Rev Trueheart preached at the 11 am service. Rev. Abbott preached at 3 pm with the Federation club in attendance. Rev. Snowden from Murmick (Muirkirk) preached at 8 pm. Children attended a program at Marlboro on Saturday April 10th. Some of the youngsters earned awards. Mrs. Stephens has been ill but she is getting better.
Baltimore Afro American Page 19 On September 12 Sunday School was held at the AME church lead by George Randall, superintendent. The pastor from First Baptist Church, Rev. Abbott preached at 3 pm and at 8pm Rev. Franklin Turner preached. Speakers at the service were Sister Bundy and Sister Warfield. Both are from Washington. The congregation will be going to St. Paul AME Church on September 19 people are asked to help with transportation by driving their cars. At First Baptist Church the Sunday School was opened by superintendent, Mary E. Johnson. Rev. Young from Washington DC preached a 11 am and 8 pm. Pastor, Rev Abbott is back from his vacation. The time away was a gift from the Willing Worker's Club and other members of the congregation. A revival will be held at the baptist church from September 19 until October 3. Mary Brooks and her nieces visited her mother, other relatives and friend in Virginia for a week. The new school was dedicated by the Parents and Teacher's Association on Labor Day. Speakers during the event were Mr. McDonald, Mr. J. St, Conway, Mrs. Condasin, Mrs. Plummer, and Supervisor Brooks. Classes started on September 13 with Miss Gardner and Miss Foster as teachers. Mr. and Mrs. John Spriggs and Mr. Joseph Johnson traveled to Calvert's County by automobile.
Evening Star December 22, 1926 page 3 Ad "Get your holly, by golly" Advertising the sale of holly, Christmas trees and wreaths on sale 5 miles from the District on Washington-Baltimore boulevard by Pleasant Brown of Lakeland
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Baltimore Division Lakeland is not shown on that timetable
The Baltimore Afro American September 24, 1927 p 16 Lakeland, Maryland On Monday schools opened. Attendance was good. On Tuesday several residents traveled to Laurel for the six-part joint school meeting. Attendees from Lakeland were Ellen Johnson, Ellen Briscoe, Mamie Weems, Chesley Mack, Cornelia Jiles, George Randall, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. James Gray. Mr. and Mrs. George Randall hosted the sister and brother-in-law of Mrs. Randall, Mr. and Mrs. McLeod from New York City. The list of sick in the community includes Hattie Burke, Eliza Bowie, Fannie Brown, Thomas Johnson, and James Singleton. Yesterday Bessie and Julia Mack returned to Bowie Normal School. Pauline Gray is back home after a two month stay in Atlantic City, NJ. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. John Spriggs made a visit to Thomas Greene who is ill in Crownsville, Md For the last week Georgianna Stewart has been ill. She is getting better. Last Sunday Benjamin Thomas was hurt when he was hit in the head with a baseball bat by his brother. He is unwell. On Friday night the Union Band of Lakeland will have a regular meeting at Embry AME Church.
The Baltimore Afro American December 3, 1927 p 14 Lakeland, Maryland Rev. Wing went to Dent’s AME Church in Bladensburg for services. On Sunday Bertha Gray and Irene Clark hosted Mr. and Mrs. Mills and their daughter from Highridge Maryland. Julia Mack was at home with her parents during the holidays. On Saturday Charles Stokes of Baltimore visited Bessie Mack. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. James H. Gray hosted Rev J.W. Wing and Mr. and a Mrs. Frank Turner from Washington DC. On Saturday Sarah and Rosetta Brooks left for New York. They have no set plan to return. Hannah Thomas is home from the hospital Those sick include Agnes Forest, Alberta Ross, Janie Tabbs, Ruth Taylor and Nannie Tate.
Baltimore Afro American December 10, 1927 Page 10 The six divisions parent teacher association is meeting at First Baptist on December 13. There was a large audience at the movie presentation last Monday. Ambrose Greene went to visit in Bowie on Tuesday in order to visit his sister and her son. Hannah Thomas has been ill and she is improving. The movie was a successful event.