February 9, 1923

Journal and Guide

"Town of Truxton, Bought By Colored Investors, To Boom Under Fine Improvements"

Negotiations entered into a few weeks ago between representatives of the United States Housing Corporation and a syndicate of local race business men who entered a high bid for the purchase of the entire town of Truxton have been completed and the transfer of the project to this syndicate effected.

The new owners the Truxton Home Corporation, have revised the sale prices of the homes on a greatly reduced schedule; planned elaborate improvements. Reviewed interests is now being manifested in the project as a very desirable home sight.

This beautiful residence division, which since the day the United States government, acting through the Housing Corporation completed it as a housing project for colored workers of local war industries, has been buffeted by the uncertainties of governmental red tape, indecision and dilatoriness, is ownership of local interest thus, at last, affording the residents direct contact with those whom they must deal until the property is paid for. Not only is this transfer of Truxton hailed by the people now on the place with much elation, but it is also regarded by those of adjacent communities as a very significant incident. Aside from the natural race pride that is being manifested on all sides on account of the ability of colored men to rise to the occasion and acquire the property at a high figure, there is the pleasant assurance that a local ownership with private capital invested will most certainly arrest whatever deterioration that has set in on the place, further improve it and manifest a personal interest that will increase the contentment of the residents on the project and be inviting to others to locate there.

Already there is being manifested by home seekers renewed interest in Truxton, now that the future of the place is chartered along the same course that other real estate investments traverse.

A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION
Truxton is situated on the Deep Creek Boulevard about a mile south of Portsmouth city. It stands upon an elevation of hard earth and remarkably free of mud even during sever rains. It was constructed at a time when money was a minor consideration in its building. Laid out upon the plans of government architects and landscape designers, the streets, homes, yards and utilities are nearly perfect in placement. The project consists of 253 modern homes, the majority of which are of the five room bungalow type. There are a few ten-room two family houses in the lot. No house sets on a lot fronting on less than 30 feet and many have a frontage ranging from 35 to 45 feet and depth of from 110 to 125 feet. Each yard is surrounded with an indestructible galvanized wire fence affording ample space for small garden and chickens. Between the houses which stand from 10 to 15 feet apart are beautiful level expanses covered with a fine grass lawn during the summer and spring. Bedecking these lawns are all season foliage and flowers.

The sidewalks were graded by their builders with a precision and along the outer edge of each for their full length stand beautiful and sturdy plants or shade trees. Tourists have conceded that there is scarcely a more beautiful spot in the state than Truxton during the early spring and late fall.

LOVELY INTERIORS
The interior of the houses is equipped with bath room, electric wiring and fixtures, a hot water range an boiler. White porcelain sinks and closets are in the kitchens. There is not a single dark nook or corner in a house in Truxton, each one being built with a special view of obtaining abundant sunlight throughout the day. The walls are of beautiful white plaster and the floors are made of excellent quality pine or cypress that readily lends itself to the most artistic color shading. The houses stand upon a sturdy brick wall foundation and are impregnable to the freaks of violent winds.

On the property is one of the most modern school buildings in the state, consisting of ten rooms and spacious auditorium and constructed of face brick and stone.
The new owners will at once set to work making elaborate improvements to the property, it was stated this week. A large sum of money will be expended for repainting and other needed features.

They are now offering for sale between one and two hundred unsold houses on the place at greatly reduced prices, a small cash payment being sufficient to enable the home seeker to move in and the balance inmost liberal installment payments.
Both Street car and jitneys pass Truxton, the Prentis Park car from the ferry being a direct route.

The syndicate owning the property, which is now the Truxton Home Corporation is comprised of W. H. C. Brown, banker, of Norfolk and Newport News, president; Rev. J. Albert Handy, of Norfolk, vice president; Dr. A. J. Strong, banker, of Norfolk, secretary; Dr. Norman Lassiter, of Hampton, treasurer; William M. Rich, banker, of Norfolk, and J. C. Brooks, real estate broker, Norfolk; Thomas W. Newbie, real estate broker, Portsmouth.