16. Carver Heights Subdivision
First African American subdivision in Columbus, providing homes for teachers, minister, military, mill workers, and maids beginning in 1950.
Edwin Edward Farley’s Carver Heights subdivision became reality when the plans were filed for record on April 13, 1950. Those plans revealed the extent of his dream, 207 plots of land for African Americans in a segregated Columbus. African Americans were unable to purchase homes in many areas and if purchases were made, new home owners may have crosses burned on their lawns or be bombed to force them out as occurred on January 8, 1958 to four families in the 2600 block of Fourth Avenue, Columbus, according to an FBI report of January 7, 1959. Many of the 100,000 African Americans trained at Fort Benning returned when the war ended. They now qualified for home loans guaranteed by the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. Later changes in veteran benefits extended the loans to 30 years and increasing the VA guaranty to 60% of the loan amount, making the loans more appealing to veterans as well as active duty military. Veterans were marrying, beginning families, and seeking housing in the post war period. They would have the opportunity to build a safe community for their families in this development. Soon those 200+ houses would be home to the families of teachers, veterans who became part of the post-war labor force, active duty military members stationed at Fort Benning, ministers, and employees in the local businesses and factories. Within the first several years, roughly 20% of home owners were identified in the local City Directories as members of the United States Army. Farley and his wife Ella built a new home for themselves at 807 Illges Road in 1954 as they too left the decaying downtown area for the suburbs.
Five contiguous lots became a small commercial area which soon contained the Carver Heights Motel. Those 12 small rooms offered African American travelers lodging in the segregated South. Guests also included African American entertainers performing at such venues as the Liberty Theater, auditoriums in the Sconiers or Odum buildings, or the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge.
Farley honored African American individuals and institution of higher education. The subdivision was named after George Washington Carver as was a street. Other streets honored Booker T. Washington, Fisk University, and Morehouse College. Morehouse College was Farley’s alma mater.
Submission composed by Joyce Wade, April 3, 2017
References and Further Readings:
Birk, C 2013. “Seven Decades of Success: A Brief History of the VA Home Loan.” (Available at https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/seven-decades-success-history-va-home-loan/ ) (Accessed March 2, 2017)
Grant, J 1999. Columbus, Georgia. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing.
Henry, M 2004. “Interview with Dr. Rosalie Reddick Miller, February 2004.” Seattle, Washington. Available at http://www.historylink.org/File/5659 [Accessed February 28, 2017] Historical American Building Survey, nd. “Springer-Bize-Farley House, HABS-No. GA-2293.” Available at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ga/ga0700/ga0716/data/ga0716data.pdf and https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.ga0716.photos/?sp=2 [Accessed: February 25, 2017] Hyatt, R 2007. “The Right to Fight.” (Available at http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/article28993384.html ) (Accessed March 2, 2017) Peebles, Virginia T. 2013 "Historic Columbus Foundation." (Available at New Georgia Encyclopedia. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/historic-columbus-foundation) (Accessed April 1, 2017) United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1959. “Bombings of Negro Residents, January 10, 1958, Columbus, Georgia.” (Available at https://www.scribd.com/document/295911811/FBI-Report-7-Jan-59.) (Accessed March 5, 2017)