Homes on Pierce Avenue

In 1970, Prince George’s County officials reported that only a few of Lakeland’s streets were paved, lighting was inadequate, and home values lagged behind those of neighboring white communities. The report failed to mention contributing influences, such as the disparity in economic prospects and the lack of financing opportunities for residential and commercial properties. African Americans were primarily dependent on unregulated private lenders; bank mortgages were rarely granted. Here are two homes on Pierce Avenue circa 1965. On the left is the home of Willie Laney and his wife Arlene; to the right is the home built by Elwood Gross and his wife Wilmer in 1962. (Courtesy of Thelma Lomax.)

Date

1968