Lakeland Elementary School (East)

Built in 1926 as Lakeland Elementary School, this building in 1958 became home to Little New Zion Fire-Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. A portion of the building contained an apartment, where the family of James and Anna Smith lived for years. Both the family and congregation were displaced with the coming of urban renewal. The congregation, now Greater New Zion Fire-Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, is located in West Lanham, Maryland.

Formally Lakeland Elementary School building was converted for use as a church and residential rental unit

School picture

For most of a century, only African-American students attended school in Lakeland. In 1956, two years after the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, the Prince George’s County Board of Education enacted a plan to impede the integration of schools. The first white students did not attend Lakeland Elementary School until the late 1960s. They were few in number. The board of education resisted desegregation for decades, despite the struggle by Lakeland residents and others for integrated schools and public facilities. Nevertheless, desegregation progressed intermittently until court-ordered programs began in 1973. Pictured in this photograph taken during the 1966-67 school year is Lakeland Elementary School’s fourth and fifth grade class with Mr. Ford.

From 1917 to 1932, the Rosenwald Fund contributed to the building of approximately 5,000 schools for African-American children in southern states. The Rosenwald program provided state-of-the-art school plans along with partial funding. Communities were required to provide cash or in-kind contributions; the remainder of the school costs was borne by local school boards. Lakeland had two such schools. Lakeland Elementary (shown here) was built in 1925, replacing the earlier school, and Lakeland High School was built in 1928.

A scrapbook dating from June 1969-1979. Mainly newspaper clippings (obituaries, articles), birthday cards, letter to parents of Lakeland Elementary School children (Pearl Lee Campbell Edwards was a parent of a student), a presentation by Pearl Lee to get Paint Branch built. Newspaper clippings of popular tv program hosts obituaries, events happening in Lakeland community (ex., 'first demolition in Lakeland', 'Lakeland Urban Renewal Project'), response to letter on desegregation plan, editorial on 'Saving Lakeland.'

Elwood Gross grade 5 of Lakeland Elementary School with teacher B.R. Walters for the 1945-46 school year

1945-46 School year photo

For more than thirty years the first school attended by most Lakelanders was Lakeland Elementary School on Winnipeg Street. It had two classrooms heated by a potbelly stove, and an outhouse in the rear. In 1944 the primary class, grades one through three, were taught by Margaret Wills in one classroom; and the upper class, grades four through six, were taught by Anita P. Smith in the second classroom. Lakelander Bessie Mack often worked as a substitute teacher at the school. (

Lakeland School 1st Grade report card of Jean Ann Gray from 1940-41 school year. Gray attended the single race elementary school located on Winnipeg Street in the eastern section of Lakeland. The school was a "Rosenwald School" built in 1925.

At the time of these progress reports Lakeland ES was segregated. Located on 54th and Lakeland, right across the railroad tracks. The principal at the time of Ms. Gross K year was Edgar Smith. Smith was principal from about 1928 when school opened to about 1968. Smith not native of Lakeland. This report contains Delphine's grades - she was a fairly good, fairly average student in kindergarten. There were no comments from her teacher or parent - she was assigned to continue to the first grade.,

Jean Ann Gray 1st grade report card as student at Lakeland Elementary School

Bottom row left to right: Leon Thomas, Floyd Brown, Hurley Brooks, William "Junebug" Fields, Willie Lee Rita, Tommy Hill, Elwood Gross (Maxine's father); Middle row, left to right: Clarice Briscoe, Elmore Adams, Dorris Prayther, Edward Dory, Helen Prayther (Dorris's sister), Emma Dory, Mary Jackson, James Weems, Jean (Ann) Gray; Top row left to right: Catherine Walls, didn't remember, Mary Douglass, Carl Cager, Mary Hamilton, Percy Power, Margaret Anderson. Written in cursive on the back of the photo: "The picture belong[sic] to Clarice M. Briscoe."

Built in 1926 as Lakeland Elementary School, this building in 1958 became home to Little New Zion Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. A portion of the building contained an apartment, where the family of James and Anna Smith lived for years. Both the family and congregation were displaced with the coming of urban renewal. The congregation, now Greater New Zion Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, is located in West Lanham, Maryland. (Courtesy of Thelma Lomax)

The annual May Day celebration was a high point of the Lakeland school year for many decades. Parents came to witness the day-long festivities, which included sporting matches and a musical program. The day’s highlight was the children dancing around the May Pole. Here, the May Queen was crowned circa 1960.

Students picture are from the rear left to right unknown, unknown, Mary Hamlett, unknown, unknown unknown, unknown, Carl Cager (far right) Center row far right is Thomas unknown, Mary Jackson, Jean Ann Gray, unknown, unknown , Catherine Walls, Larson, unkown front row far left unknown, Elwood Gross, unknown, James Weems (Billy), Edward Dory, Elmore Adams.

Little New Zion Fire Baptized Holiness Church of the Americas building was erected as a Rosenwald school, Lakeland Elementary School. In 1950 when high school classes in Lakeland were transferred to Fairmont Heights High the younger grades moved from this building to the old high school on 54th Avenue.

For more than thirty years the first school attended by most Lakelanders was Lakeland Elementary School on Winnipeg Street. It had two classrooms heated by a potbelly stove, and an outhouse in the rear. In 1944 the primary class, grades one through three, was taught by Margaret Wills

Kindergarten class outing to animal science barn on University of Maryland campus. With the children are teacher Miss Pinkney, left and parent, Fannie Douglas, right

The upper class, grades four through six, was taught by Anita P. Smith in the second classroom. Lakelander Bessie Mack often worked as a substitute teacher at the school.

At the time of these progress reports Lakeland ES was segregated. Located on 54th and Lakeland, right across the railroad tracks. The principal at this time was Edgar Smith. Smith was principal from about 1928 when school opened to about 1968. Smith not native of Lakeland. Kindergarten progress report for Maxine Gross from Lakeland Elementary - her grades were very good this year. There are various comments - all to the effect that Maxine is making great progress in school. Brief overview of the subjects covered during the school year, as well as the days absent. Maxine only missed one day.

Baltimore Afro American June 8, 1929 Prince Georges Co. Graduates 150, County Wide Closing Exercises Held at Fairmount Heights, Md. Emory Smith Speaker Marlboro and Lakeland Second and Third in Grades Closing programs for elementary schools of the county took place on May 31 in Fairmount Heights, Maryland. The speaker for the event was Emory Smith, director of public information at Howard University. He spoke on the topic “Cultivation”. Graduates from Lakeland School were Edith Allen, Gertrude Davis, Andrew Thomas, Ralph Drewy, Omega Giles, Mary Stewart, Leroy Jones, Benjamin Briscoe, Hattie Thomas, Bernice Rawlings, and Pauline Woodson. Other schools with graduates were Ammendale School, Bladensburg School, Marlboro School, Croome Station School, Holly Grove School, Croom School, Westwood School, Sharpsville School, Chapel Hill School, Accokeek School, Camp Springs School, DuPont Heights School, Mt. Nebo School, Lincoln School, Rosaryville School, Brentwood School, Fairmont Heights School, Capital Heights School, McCarthy School, Glenarden School, Demonstration School, Cedarville School, Oxen Hill School, Highland Park School, Aquasco School, Clinton School, Tee Bee School, Bowie School, Glendale School, Duckettsville School and Fletchertown School.

Contains: - The cover page contains various icons representative of Lakeland, such as the streetcar trolley sign and the railroad crossing; - The schedule for the weekend, detailing the events for the community party on Saturday and the religious service on Sunday; - An introductory piece, explaining the mission of the weekend and the Lakeland Community Heritage Project; - An overview of Lakeland history. Noted image of a house is the "Hicks house;" - Brief descriptions of Lakeland's churches and Lakeland's clubs.; - A description of the families of Lakeland and how they were forced out of their homes by Urban Renewal. Contains a description of the history and impact of Lake Artemesia; - More descripition of the erasure of a large part of the community, then recognition of how it's come back stronger than before; - A family tree template; - The order of service for the religious service on the Sunday., Empty space for notes and resources with which one could find their family history. On the right side, a map of eastern Lakeland; - The final page of the pamphlet, with thank-yous and acknowledgements.

At the time of these progress reports Lakeland ES was segregated. Located on 54th and Lakeland, right across the railroad tracks. The principal at this time was Edgar Smith. Smith was principal from about 1928 when school opened to about 1968. Smith not native of Lakeland.

Delphine Gross 6th grade

Lakeland's original one-room school building remained in use until 1917, when it was replaced by a two-classroom structure. This photograph shows students at the school with one of their teachers, George G. Waters, circa 1915.

Charles Dory is seen {second row far left seated) with his school mates.

Edwina Herald Buckner stands with her fourth- and fifth-grade class in 1953, in front of the Lakeland Elementary and Junior High School. The third through sixth grade classes were housed in metal-clad temporary buildings behind the older brick building. Buckner taught both classes and offered free ballet lessons after school.

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.