How Washington Park became a neighborhood with organizations that continue to function today
Washington Park, the lovely neighborhood adjacent to Maryville, introduced in January’s West Ashley Flashback through the eyes of Cecil Diggs, began with a strong sense of community among the people who purchased lots and homes. This strong sense of community was common among people moving “into the country” during the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, but not all of the neighborhoods have kept the momentum and continuity over time like Washington Park.
The story of how this formally platted neighborhood became a community with organizations that continue to function today is important to tell.
Two community groups formed almost as soon as the foundations were placed on the purchased lots.
The first group was initially known as the Washington Park Trustees, then the Washington Park Lot Owners Association and finally the Washington Park Homeowner’s Association (not an HOA like is understood today). The Association organized in December 1954, becoming formally incorporated as a SC Nonprofit Organization in January 1955.
The neighborhood story goes that the three lots at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Playground Road were “given,” not sold, to the neighborhood for $10 in order to build a playground for the neighborhood children. Thus, the Association’s primary purpose was to acquire these 3 lots to set up this playground and build a community center where business and fun could take place.
The 1954 Business Manager of the newly chartered association was William Bobo. Bobo was an early resident, and organizing the Washington Park community was paramount to him. By 1962, the Community Center, with a playground, had been built. Hosting neighborhood meetings, oyster roasts, fundraisers, various dances, and socials became part of the neighborhood routine. The Community Center became the ‘center” of the community.
The second group was the Washington Park Garden Club. Community organization was also important to the ladies of Washington Park. The Garden Club was established in 1956 for the primary purpose of promoting beautification of these newly acquired properties. As their name defines, they were really into flower gardens. Their mission was to develop a sense of pride within the neighborhood with the addition of beautiful and colorful gardens in all the yards. And of course, Yard of the Month designation was the incentive.
Julia Lucas was the first president. Some of the early members of the Club were Hattie Holmes, Sadie Oglesby, Catherine McCottry, Gladys Perry, Mildred Bobo, Johanna Carrington, Connie Cochran, Ruth Elliott, Gertrude Frasier, Georgianna Greene, Marion Lucas, Julia Murray, Esther Richey, and Jewell Mikell.
Recognition for their efforts came in 1968 when the Club won the January Beautification Award from The Trident Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. Their hard work and the award were featured in the Feb. 22, 1968 issue of The Evening Post.
In addition to the many activities hosted by the Garden Club, the Club also assisted with planning and construction of the Community Center. In 2006, The Washington Park Garden Club celebrated 50 years with a Golden event at the Community Center. Thus, it was a team effort in the community to make Washington Park the lovely neighborhood it became, not just for the first generation of homeowners, but for the second, third, and fourth generations as well. This effort continues today for this vibrant neighborhood with visions of enhancements for future generations.
In recent times, the Washington Park Community Center coordinated with the City of Charleston for the use of their land as a staging area for the construction of the Forest Acres Drainage Improvement Project. A sense of service for not only the neighborhood, but also the greater community enhancement stays paramount in the minds of the Washington Park Homeowners’ Association.
Neighborhood stories? Contact Donna Jacobs at westashleybook@gmail.com.
