Delphia Sanders (seated) is flanked by daughter Marjorie Craft (left) and daughter Diedra Bullard (right) and their families
Marjorie Sanders Craft was just 11 years old when her family moved from West Dallas to a brand new home in Hamilton Park, but the move made a big impression.
“They didn’t have indoor plumbing where black people lived in West Dallas,” Craft told me, “so when we came here and had indoor commodes and bath tubs, that was really wonderful.”
Craft lives in DeSoto now, but she returned Sunday for the Hamilton Park Living Legends Festival, held at the Willie B. Johnson Recreation Center to honor pioneer families who settled in the area’s 747 original homes in the 1950s. Her stepfather, Milton, is now deceased, but Craft brought Delphia Sanders, her 91-year-old mother, to the event.
The elementary school now called Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet was originally built as the segregated Hamilton Park School for grades 1 through 12. Craft enrolled in sixth grade in 1956.
“The school was great,” recalled Marjorie. “I lived a block away, and I used to come home at lunch time. My mom would make me a sandwich or have leftovers from dinner.”
Craft’s little sister, Diedra Sanders Bullard, was just 5 when they arrived, but she recalls the bonds the family quickly formed.
“I remember the closeness of the community. We were a village, and everyone knew everyone. We knew all the kids and all the parents, and it was just an open house to you. We were not limited as to what street we could go on – we could cover this whole neighborhood. If someone asked where you lived, you answered in relation to the school – ‘I live in front of the school, I live behind the school.’”
Delphia worked for a venetian blind company and Milton became a restaurant cook after his time in the military. Later, they founded a business providing maintenance and cleaning services.
“This was the greatest place to have grown up,” said Diedra, whose brother, Yoland Sanders, grew up with them on Dandridge Drive. “We didn’t even lock our doors. Everyone looked out for everyone, and we’re still close-knit, even those who’ve moved away.”
“Education was very important in Hamilton Park – family, church and education,” said Marjorie. “Most kids went off to college – that’s what you were expected to do. It was the Land of Plenty. The founders here had the vision to create a better life for African-Americans. You worked hard, took care of your family, went to church and wanted a better life for your kids. Hamilton Park afforded people a way to do that.”
Pioneer families were honored Sunday afternoon, including Charles and Pearline Smith and Curtis and Kelsie Smith. Curtis and Kelsie Smith will be featured in a future Advocate piece.
Marion Washington, 90 (in yellow), is the retired secretary of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park. She recalled life in the historic neighborhood at Sunday’s event.
Azzie Arnick, Hamilton Park’s original barber (far left), shares stories with Thomas Jefferson Jr. (in light blue) and other pioneers at the Hamilton Park Living Legends festival.
