Collection

Washington Post May 12, 1971 Page B 13 The City of College Park was granted $2.9 million in Federal funds to rehabilitate Lakeland, a Black community of 137 families on a 105 acre plot. A total of $3.8 million in Federal funds is committed for the project. City officials said it was unclear when work would begin on the project. 62 of Lakeland's 141 homes were judged "unfit" and must be repaired or demolished. In addition to a shortage of housing other problems of the community are its location in the flood plain, isolation with access only from Route One, encroachment by industrial sites as well as "poor or inadequate public facilities and services". The acting city manager said that work will start after the hire of necessary city staff and the development of needed contracts.

At home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. At the grill was friend and former University of Maryland coworker, Willie Johnson, guests were family, friends and fellow UM workers.

Behind the leaf is Emma Harrison next to her is Sarah and to the right Agnes. At home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. At the grill was friend and former University of Maryland coworker, Willie Johnson, guests were family, friends and fellow UM workers.

Chef Willie Johnson in wide. brimmed hat. At home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. Guests were family, friends and fellow UM workers. Johnson was grill master that day and at many such gatherings at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gross at their home on Cloud Avenue and later on 54th Avenue.

Agnes and George Henry Gross at their home. At the grill that day was friend and former University of Maryland coworker, Willie Johnson, guests were family, friends and fellow UM workers.

Emma Harrison, Elwood Gross and Harry Braxton, Sr.

Harry Braxton, Sr and Elwood Gross. During a BBQ at the home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. When required to leave his home in eastern Lakeland Braxton built a new home on a lot next door.

Viola Gross, Cora Gross Butler and Margaret Gross Gray. At the home of their brother George Henry.

Margaret Gray, unknown, Wilmer Gross during a BBQ at the home of George Henry and Agnes Gross

George Randall playing in a basketball game against St. Anthony's. He was a junior at Parkdale HS

George Randall was on his college basketball team at St. Mary's Maryland. Picture was taken 1971

George Randall blocking a shot at his college game.

George Randall received an award letter from the College Park Boy's Club for winning the PGC boys club championship. The letter also mentions the first, second, third, and fourth place winners will receive awarded medals, the trophy, and a banquet.

George Randall is mentioned under the triple jump category. His scoring and schooling (Parkdale) are mentioned as well.

A page in a Randall scrapbook that has pictures of someone in a family home. The table is set in one of the photos for an event or gathering. But on the bottom left is a newspaper clipping of Randall's track and high jumps record from a track meet.

Basketball action image of George Randall playing for St. Mary's College and clipping on State track and field records broken including George Randall for the Broad jump.

Parkdale wins a game against Bladensburg 64-60.

Parkdale wins a game against Bladensburg 64-60.

These clippings are about details from the games Parkdale had over the season. Like the games against Suitland, Potomac, St. Anthony's, and High Point.

Parkdale High School basketball

These clippings are about details from the games Parkdale had over the season. Like the games against Suitland, Potomac, St. Anthony's, and High Point.

Most of the clippings are about Parkdale v. DuVal. At the bottom, there is another clipping about the Parkdale game against Bladensburg.

One of the scheduled games for Parkdale was with Mackin. Parkdale won the game 83-56.

Parkdale's Track team was mentioned in a news article. This clipping has mentions of George Randall. Mr. Randall was on the Parkdale track team. Records were broken at this particular meet. The clippings also mention long jumps and Parkdale being the winner of that meet.

In this two-person jump shot, George Randall is one of the players in the air.

Parkdale is playing a game at an away game.

The Diamondback October 19, 1971 Page 4 Dean Tuthill Responding to letter in the October 7 edition on channelization of Paint Branch and Indian Creek form the Environmental Conservation Organization. I am in support of channelization as it would benefit the residents of Lakeland. I have witnessed people rescued from their homes in boats and spoken to residents afraid when it rains. Those living on Lakeland Road have been subject to flooding for years and commitments have been made of help from the Corps of Engineers project. It is true no one should live in a know flood area but Black people live there because they had no other option. Much of the land is owned by whites living elsewhere. Purchasing the land using eminent domain is the only way to put land in the hands of community members. Once that is done young residents will have a chance to purchase land and build homes in Lakeland. If not this plan would the Environmental Conservation Organization ensure the avaliblity of low income homes for Black people in Collège Park Woods, College Park Estates, Berwyn or Berwyn Heights? For now Lakeland residents hope to improve their community.

Campbell- Kennedy wedding at Embry AME Church

Newlyweds Kathleen and James Tyrone Kennedy and their families. Shown at Embry AME Church, the site of their wedding service.

Flood waters from Hurricane Agnes damaged the home on 54th Avenue and property in the basement of the home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. This image shows possessions waiting disposal after clean up

Grandson of Bill and Lucille Sharps pictured on the grounds of his grandparent's home in the eastern area of Lakeland

Flooding at drain discharge Scenes after storm Agnes

Lakeland flood photos

Embry A.M.E. Church was the site for the wedding of Kathleen Campbell and James Tyrone Kennedy on September 9, 1972. The pair grew up in Lakeland, attended church, and went to school together. Their clothing and hair styles reflect the height of fashion for that period.

Kathleen Campbell Kennedy and James Tyrone Kennedy in a wedding portrait in Embry AME Church

5108 Pierce Ave, Arlene Laney

Emma Harrison Braxton, Agnes Harrison Gross and Sarah Harrison Braxton

In their get away car after the wedding are the newly married Kathleen Campbell Kennedy and James Tyrone Kennedy

Ross home on Lakeland Road after storm Agnes

1972

Washington Post July 31, 1972 Eugene L. Meyer Page C1 Image of Paint Branch accompanies the article. Caption reads “ Paint Branch will be widened, deepened and straightened if Army Corps of Engineers’ plan is put in effect.” Leonard Smith is quoted in giving his experience of flooding during tropical storm Agnes last month. A 30 year resident of Lakeland community of 147 Black and 30 white families between Paint Branch and Indian Creek. Enacting the Corp of Engineers plan would end the treat of future flooding. They would widen, deepen and straighten the waterways. Conservationist object charging the work would diminish the area’s natural beauty and fail to resolve the flooding problems. There is opposition between the theory that the national environment should not take priority over the built environment, businesses and homes. The more than 10 year old plan will be brought to the National Capital Planning Commission next week. The creeks are home to many types of small animals. The project is expected to cost about $900,000. A 1960s plan for the area would have lined the upstream banks with concrete. This has been changed to the use of rocks instead. Most of the land belongs to Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the rest would be purchased by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The College Park Ecological Association representative Judy Comparetto expressed the desire for an option which would not harm the river. Those living near the creeks, government officials favor the Corp’s plan. Some argue that the work would create new problems downstream. To this College Park City Council Member Dougherty stated “The night of Agnes” “I stood down there and helped 147 families out of Lakeland, and I did not see a beaver, raccoon or eel or any of the ecologists or conservationists. However, I saw an awful lot of cold, frightened people” Mrs. Comparetto said “The only solution is to get those people to higher ground, and don’t develop where you know it will be flooded out”

Distributed during Lakeland Community Day 1972

Page 1 From Lakeland Community Day

With City Animal Control Van

CP urban renewal to be reviewed Planning underway for nine years. At least 8 different HUD field representatives. Current delay due to a change in law. First plan was submitted to HUD in 1966. Fill permits are opposed by the State Department of Natural Resources. College Park Ecological Association pledges to oppose channeling the creeks. City officials favor the urban renewal project.

James Clemmons, Ellen Randall Gray, and Dora Robinson during Sunday School picnic

Dervey Lomax is shown in the rumble seat of an antique Ford as a participant in the 1974 College Park Girls and Boys Club parade. Lomax served a total of twenty-seven years on the College Park City Council. Note from contributor states year as 1973

Mayor Dervey Lomax with members of College Park City Council