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Friday, May 7, 1948.Who’s Who On East BroadwayBy L. VV. PITTMAN(Editor’s Note: This is the first ina series of articles which will be a weekly feature in the SUN— about the East Broadway Home Builders.)East Broadway as we see it today is the result of a little housing project started by Arizonians who had dreams as early as 1945, and who preceeded to try to master their dreams.The cruel hand of fate is always present when dreams invision finance of astronomical proportions, so the little fire kindled by the dreamers of the hour almost disappeared.Hence, our first concern is to present to you those who are the engineers of a thriving and progressive building project—those who have fanned the little fire into a great unquenchable flame.If you appreciate Broadway, then you must appreciate the trying moments of Mr. B. W. Williams and father—of how after they had gotten their feet wet in the project, they were chilled with financial pneumonia. Feeling they were headed for sure death, Mr. B. W. Williams called a brother-in-law, J. S. Jones, from Dallas, Texas. Dr. Jones” demanded that if his brother-in-law could answer 17 questions favorably, he (Jones) would come out and investigate. Among the questions asked were: the location of East Broadway and the Negro population. In the meantime, Mr. J. B. Jones came out with his brother, J. S. Jones.They found that it was necessary to raise $15,200.00 immediately. They set up a program, and with the aid of the following succeeded in two days: L. Wedlow, Mrs. C. Montgomery, H. Montgomery, D. W. Williams, Jimmie Williams, San Francisco: R. L. Williams, J. S. Jones, J. B. Jones, Rev. T. J. Townsend, E. Powers, I. Davis, Mrs. O. D. Grosse, W. Vaughn, A. Gipson, J. B. Holmes, Rev. J. A. Mo ten, J. L. Davis, Rev. J. W. Williams, Rev. J. W. Taylor and Mrs. M. E. Dawson.The above are the stockholders who met the dead line of the Escrow Agreement as of Jan. 1st, 1946. They are the citizens who limelight not only E. Broadway, but the State of Arizona and the Negro builders of America.The first annual meeting elected the following officers: J. S. Jones, Pres.; B. W. Williams, 1st Vice Pres.; Louis Wedlow, 2nd Vice Pres.; Rev. T. J. Townsend, Secy-Treas.; and J. B. \jones, Asst. Secretary./ East Broadway—A barren land, unsung and unkept only a few years ago, is fast becoming the Harlem of Arizona, and yet, it holds a charm that makes it the envy of all who see it. Now thriving with seventy homes completed or near completion, those who now constitute its residents feel that no name short of “the garden spot of the world” is adequate to give it fitting description.Totaling a hundred and sixty acres, with sixty acres set aside for building homes, its officers have been swamped with applications that have exceeded all expectations, and the building of homes have never caught up with the demand. Already the total construction has reached the half million dollar mark. Plans are now being perfected for a first-class shopping center. Bonds have already been approved for construction of a modern school because of the fast growing population The cost of the homes range from as low as $3,800, on juicy installments.The palatial estate which houses the officers of the Progressive Builders, will eventually be remodeled and converted into a recrea-FOR SALE500 CHOICE LOTS $10 DOWN $10 MONTHHOUSES AND LOTStion center for Negroes of America who may desire to- play, to love, and rest—for souls who’ll find Broadway is best.Out of the effort of the Broadway Housing Program, has been organized one of the most progressive Negro Contracting Firms in the nation—The Williams Jones Contracting Co.
Newspaper Details
Phoenix Arizona Sun
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Fri, May 07, 1948
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 08 Oct 2024
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