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Farming For A Better Future, page 104
While a photograph of Lakeview High School could not be located, the TVA photograph collection housed at the National Archives in Atlanta had one image noted as the “Guntersville Dam Construction Camp -Path Back of Negro Dormitory,” dated March 1, 1939. Another facility created by the TVA for exclusive use by African Americans was a picnic area. The modest grounds were cleared of underbrush among thin pine trees and outfitted with simple wooden picnic tables and metal trash cans. 61 Kirbytown Kirbytown was a community in eastern Marshall County on what became a peninsula when the Guntersville Dam was constructed by the TVA. The community is now considered part of Langston, across an inlet in Jackson County. In the early 20th century the area known as Kirby never had more than 300 households or a large population of African American families. In 1900, there were 212 total households, 27 (13%) of which were African American. The peak number of households in Kirby occurred in 1920 with 293 total households. That year, there were 21 (7%) African American families. By 1940, the population had declined to only 145 households, 13 (9%) of which were African American. (Above) 1936 USGS/TVA Topographic Map of Kirbytown, Columbus City, Grove Oak, Langston, and Swearengin, Alabama Quadrangles (Top Right) 1949/1950 USGS/TVA Topographic Map of Kirbytown, Columbus City, Grove Oak, Langston, and Swearengin, Alabama Quadrangles While the highest number of African American households lived in Kirby in 1910, the highest number of African Americans who owned farms was recorded in 1920. In that year, 14 of the 21 households of color were landowning farmers. They constituted 5% of the total households, but 67% of all African American households. Overall, there was a high rate of farm ownership among the African American community of Kirby throughout the early 20th century. Only 4 families owned in 1900 - James Sandridge, Jesse Kirby, Marion Lovelady, and Jack Doss. Five other families owned in 1910 in addition to those who owned since at least 1900. By 1920, the high number of farm owners can be partly attributed to the passing of a father who left his farm to four of his sons. Although the number of owners declined by 1930 and again by 1940, the number of farm owners remained approximately 45% of the households of color. Many of the African American landowners in Kirby in the early 20th century were a tight-knit, related community of families that often passed land onto children and spouses. James Sandridge (18441910) owned a farm in Kirby from at least 1900 until his death. His sons, William, James, Elijah, and Manning inherited portions of his farm. Jesse B. Kirby (1870-1929) owned a farm from at least 1900 until his death, after which his wife, Caldonia Kirby (1872-1939), took ownership until her death. Also, John Sotherland (1860-1917) owned a farm from at least 1910 until his death, and then his wife, Mollie (Below) Excerpt of 1900 Census Record Showing James Sandridge Owning a Farm (National Archives and Records Administration via Ancestry.com) UUIVIIVIUNI 1 Ilj CEMETERIES CHURCHES PLANTATIONS SCHOOLS OTHER Indicates a Historical - Non-Extant Resource - (4632)