1958 Book – Timberwood Park Plan Documents

Circa 1958


THE ITEM

A set of ledger-sized paper sheets enclosed between handmade wooden covers, measuring approx. 20 inches by 13 inches, with two metal hinges on the short left end and held closed by a double loop of brown twine. Contents include plats and house plans for the Timberwood Park neighborhood (commonly called the McKenzie-Hembry neighborhood) that was built by Rupert Eldon Whitmore starting in 1958. The inside pages have significant age damage on the outer edges. The street plat includes notes handwritten by Whitmore that indicate the name of each homebuyer.

THE HISTORY

The neighborhood was built specifically for Black homebuyers, who often were unable to purchase new houses elsewhere. Homebuyer names written on the plans include Marie Bigham, Clyde Brown, Odell Brown, Van Brown Jr., Willis Brown, Alfred Chambers, Leon Champion, Lewis Champion, Mark Rogers Chew, C.D. Davis, Larry Ennis, Woody Ennis, Howard Golden, Leslie Howard, Clara Johnson, Ernest Johnson, Alford McLane, Charles Miller, Abe Robison, Alfred Sampson, Felton Sampson, Herman Sampson, Lester Sampson, Frank Taylor, Calvin Turner, Jean Wilson, Herman Woods, and Lenard Woods.

Donated by Pam Landa on January 20, 2023.