Leonard Smith

Mayor William Gullett and Leonard Smith

Black Explosion January 26 1977 Page 3 Anthony A. Harris On January 17 Lakeland’s Project Area Committee met. They discussed options related to their opposition to the plan presented by developer Leon Weiner. They presented four concepts s to the city council. 1. To convene the developer to consider the wishes of the community. 2. Have individuals send any complaints they have directly to HUD. 3. To draw up a specific list of the elements they would like rot add to the plan. 4. To dissolve PAC as it has no use. Community members oppose the plan proposed by Weiner as it contains few single family homes. Instead it has mid and high-raise apartment buildings. Rather than recommending Weiner for the work. PAC members endorsed a community based development group, Lakeland Joint Venture who would have returned 10 to 15 percent of their profits to the community to build a community center. A photo by Alex Thompson showing the urban renewal office trailer is also on the page.

City of College Park - letter re use of Lakeland School building

4910 Navahoe St Leonard J. Smith and Mamie E. McCorkle Block 16 E 55" of Lot 7 Urban Renewal Parcel 20-4 Value Sheet

Letter from Leonard Smith to City on use of Lakeland School site

The Diamondback September 15, 1976 Many pieces of Lakeland land were purchased by the Urban Renewal project. The University then discusses the use of Lakeland land for the expansion of their community housing through the Urban Renewal project. This idea is presented by the city community development director, Mr. Edwin Finder. In the meantime, some Lakelanders must rent homes from the city because of the Urban Renewal project’s purchase of their homes. Mr. Finder says that they are to be given first priority in the construction of new housing. At the same time, the Urban Renewal plan exceeded its budget of $5.2 million by another $5 million. The city requested $1.8 million in urgent need funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and was approved to receive it to complete the project. The request was sent to the HUD’s office earlier in the summer of 1976. Getting more federal money to complete the project was imperative and was a way to help fix the damage already afflicted on the neighborhood by natural incidents. Mrs. Hollomand part of the Lakeland resident's group stated opposition to the University's involvement in the project. She said the residents had need for new housing.

In 1965, Leonard Smith was elected to the College Park City Council. In this photograph, outgoing councilman Dervey Lomax, second from the right, is shown affixing Smith’s council pin. In addition to being a civic leader, Smith was a contractor, property developer, and entrepreneur. He served as a member of the College Park City Council until 1967.

Newspaper clippings about Lomax's becoming elected mayor. Additional clippings about urban renewal, and Parkdale wins.

A single portrait of Leonard Smith, who moved from Beltsville as a young man to Lakeland. He attended Maryland State College. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant during his time in the army. Upon returning Smith became a leader for the American Legion Post in Lakeland, and in 1972 became the first African American American Legion Commander for Prince George's County, where 16 of the 19 posts were predominantly white. As county commander, he led a membership of 7,000.

- Title page of the brochure for Lakeland Heritage, September 2018. The cover shows the Lakeland Majorettes marching in a parade. - First and second interior pages of the brochure, opening with a thank you to the attendees of the event and updating them on recent accomplishments and works done by and in partnership with the LCHP. The second page foes further into detail on two major events; "A Path Forward," a mural done by Lakeland teen artists and others on the trail underpass by Baltimore Avenue. The second major event is that of the LCHP establishing the archive project in partnership with MITH and other departments of UMD; - Third and fourth interior pages of the brochure. The left page details the College Park Dream Team Basketball event at the Community Center. Below, a description of the history of sports in Lakeland, and the introduction of Lakeland Hero Sports Cards. These cards each focus on one athletic Lakelander, with a portrait of them on the front and a history of their events and sports accomplishments on the back. The right page has a dedication to Leonard Smith, the Grand Marshal of the event, and the special guests of the Parade & Picnic - Fifth and sixth pages of the brochure. The fifth has the itinerary for Sunday's event, Music at the Washington Brazilian SDA Church. On the sixth page are brief biographies of the performers listed; - The final page of the booklet, with a last schedule of the events of the weekend. There is also a thank you to sponsors and partners of the event.

Leonard Smith is presented a plaque by Mayor William Gullett, ' There is another copy of this image in the archive from another collection

Home of Audrey and Leonard Smith on Navahoe Street of the western area of Lakeland 4910 Navahoe St. owned by Leonard Smith and Mamie McCorkle

In the 1940s, Stewart’s Tavern opened in Nellie Stewart’s home on western Navahoe Street. In the 1950s, her son Henry Conway, a brick mason, and some of his friends built a separate structure next door for the establishment. They renamed it Four Brothers Tavern. When the business was sold to Leonard Smith in the mid-1960s, it became known as Lakeland Tavern. The building was razed in the 1970s, not long after this photograph was taken, to make way for Lakeland’s federally funded urban renewal project.

Mayor and Council swearing in ceremony at College Park City Hall on Knox Road. Councilmember Leonard Smith is second from the left

Open letter to College Park City Council stating community’s requirements for redevelopment

Leonard Smith and Mamie McCorkle 4910 Navahoe Street Parcel 20 Block 4 Block 16 lot 2

College Park City Council with Councilmember Leonard Smith and Mayor Gullett

On Navahoe Street

Possibly 4827 Navahoe Street Mary E. Stewart, Samuel R., Earl & Raymond Conway

Leonard Smith moved from Beltsville as a young man to Lakeland. He attended Maryland State College. Smith entered the U.S. Army in 1950. He is shown at a master gunner's course in Fort Bliss, Texas. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant during his time in the army. Upon returning Smith became a leader for the American Legion Post in Lakeland, and in 1972 became the first African American American Legion Commander for Prince George's County, where 16 of the 19 posts were predominantly white. As county commander, he led a membership of 7,000.

Western Navahoe Street

Leonard Smith and Mamie McCorkle 8200 Rhode Island Avenue Pride of Bladensburg Lodge #514 I.B.P.O.E.W.

Leonard and Audrey Smith, share a table with another with another party goer, Margarete Walls during an American Legion sponsored event.

4901 Navahoe Street Urban Renewal Parcel 24 Leonard Smith

Leonard Smith & Mamie McCorkle BPOE Lodge 514 8200 Rhode Island Av Project No 20-3 Block 16 Lot 8 and 1/2 of Lot 9 Value Sheet

During City awards program Leonard Smith is second from the left

8200 Rhode Island Avenue Leonard Smith and Mamie McCorkle