Truxtun Property Owner's Association

The Truxtun Property Owner's Association was perhaps the most important of all the social organizations, making key decisions for the town on organizational and money matters.  Truxtun was not under the supervision or funding of local or state governments for internal improvements or services, Truxtun was responsible for raising its own funds and making its own contracts.  This probably worked favorably for the small town since black areas in most of the tidewater area were virtually ignored by local governments for funding and services.  The meetings were attended by all men in the community who owned their house.  Funds were raised by rent collection on houses still under the supervision of the government and profits of home sales.

The Property Owner's Association sub-divided into committees, each having particular subjects of interest.  It's organization was not unlike a typical city planner's office.  The education committee was charged with supervision of the Truxtun School.  It oversaw the appointment of teachers and school materials.  The committee on sanitation supervised town water and sewage issues.  The committee on streets and parks oversaw the use of Truxtun community lands, streets, and street lighting.  The budget committee handled all money issues.  Supervision was provided by the President of the Property Owner's Association and by the Town Manager Fred D. McCracken. [1]

Fred D. McCracken - The Nation's Only Black Town Manager

Fred D. McCracken had the distinction of being the only black town manager in the United States.  He enjoyed this title from the time of Truxtun's inception to 1921, when Truxtun and Craddock were combined and both communities fell under the supervision of Craddock's town manager.  McCracken was charged by the USHC to directly supervise the sale of houses in Truxtun.  McCracken also had the responsibility to collect rent from leasers and provided general guidance for the town.  When Fred McCracken resigned on July 1, 1921, he was hailed by the USHC for his excellent service as Truxtun's town manager.  During his tenure as town manager, he collected over $200,000 for the government and dispersed over $25,000.  The town was self-sustained and most felt that it had prospered and developed under his wise guidance.[2] 

The Mother's Club of Truxtun

The Mother's Club of Norfolk had already formed a reputation in Norfolk for service to the community.  They organized to achieve the following goals:  To uphold and defend the sacredness of motherhood, to shoulder their responsibilities as mothers and inculcate a sense of individual responsibility and obligation to their community; to promote peace and good will in the community; to help make Norfolk a healthier, thriftier, and happier city for all mothers to live in.  They completed one of their most ambitious projects in May of 1921 by organizing a Norfolk Community Health and Thrift Center.  They raised funds that paid for the equipment in the clinic and pledged their support to the black physicians conducting the clinic.[3]

When the Mother's Club started in Truxtun, their immediate actions weren't as ambitious as a health clinic but they did fulfill the Mother's Club goals by providing community services that were needed by the community.  Their first project involved the establishment of  a playground for the children of Truxtun on one of the town's many public land areas.[4]  To raise funds for their projects, they looked to the generous community of Truxtun for donations.  Fund raising opportunities included dinners, picnics, and entertainment at the Truxtun School's auditorium.  Entertainment included plays like “The Slabtown Convention” that was performed at the auditorium under the auspices of raising money for playground equipment.[5]

The Patron's League

The Patron's League performed similar duties as the Mothers' Club in an attempt to improve the standard of living in the community.  One of the most important projects they did early in the town's history was establishing a library for Truxtun.  After receiving a donation of 300 books, the Patron's league was able to open a library in the Truxtun School.[6]  The Mother's Club took over operation of the library by June of 1921, and increased the number of books in their tomes to 500.  Though the library had limited hours and limited resources, it did experience quite a bit of patronage.  Though only open for two and a half hour a week, the library did brag of almost 180 person serviced between April of 1921 and May of 1921.[7] 

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