Civic League 1957-1977

by Lois Taylor, Historian, October 2nd, 1977

On April 28th, 1957, residents of Elizabeth park met at the Pine Tree Inn and formed the organization of our Civic League. The officers installed at our first meeting were:

  • President: Vernon Bonney
  • Vice President: Ena Reed
  • Recording Secretary: Gerrie Knight
  • Corresponding Secretary: Ira Green
  • Treasurer: Melvin Manuel

On August 2nd, 1957, our league was incorporated. During the first year of our organization, we sponsored a fish fry, Halloween dance, and a square dance. A sign was erected which identified “Elizabeth Park”

Mr. Chalk graciously allowed our league to meet at his business office, “Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance”.

During the early years of our neighborhood, we worked vigorously to obtain proper zoning, hard pavement roads, safer access roads, schools, playgrounds, walkways to schools, street lights, improved drainage to prevent flooding of Curlew Drive, door-to-door mail delivery, and much needed improvements.

Beginning in 1960, after our annexation into the City of Norfolk, our league worked toward getting city water, sewage, sidewalks, and curbings. We obtained petitions, thus a saving to each resident was realized.

The City furnished curbstones which were laid by members of the Civic League at the enterance, Huntsman Road. The league worked with the Garden Club to beautify the Park entrance.

After expressways were completed, our league worked for and obtained walkways and guardrails along the route to school. We have continuously worked to keep the area along railroad tracks cleared. We obtained speed limit signs and street signs for the Park.

All residents should recognize the accomplishments of officers and members of the League who have worked so hard to keep our area clean, attractive and safe. They have additionally arranged for entertainment each year in the form of picnics, dinners, dances, fish fry, etc. The educational and cultural programs provided at league meetings have been most worthwhile.

We have been fortunate to have enlightenment from knowledgeable speakers on voting, politics, art, home and garden improvement, and government.

In this our twentieth year, we are most fortunate in having Ruth Johnson as our first woman President. She has made each meeting a delightful and entertaining event. We are grateful to Ruth and Ole Johnson for the cultural activities they have so far sponsored. We have progressed from “Square Dances” in 1957 to “Opera” in 1977, thanks to Ruth and Ole.

In closing, we wish to thank non-member residents who have assisted our League, in making this a nicer neighborhood in which to live.

Attached are listings of some of the most noteworthy projects of our League, former presidents, and Charter members.

Note: Our records of the League were not as complete as we would desire; therefore, we request anyone who has corrections to the listnigs attached, please call Lois Taylor, telephone <xxx-xxxx>.