A Home Remembered

Black History in Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough County, can be told in many ways. The property that housed North Boulevard Homes was once called "Roberts City" which consisted of substandard, disease infected, crowded shotgun slum houses. The future residents came from all walks of life seeking a decent place to live, most of them were Blacks, Cubans some Military Families and, and others all searching for a comfortable, affordable home. Everybody who lived in North Boulevard Homes worked and paid some rent. In 1947 the city of Tampa was entering into opening of MacDill Air Field and Drew Army Airfield was being expanded. The shipbuilding companies had been launched and delivered the first vehicles in its wartime program. The African American military men many of whom were drafted stationed at MacDill field were in desperate need of decent places to live in Tampa. The servicemen had limited places to live because of the Jim Crow laws and the segregated living standards in America at the time it caused a dilemma within the military. This dilemma was more critical for those veterans who were desirous of retiring in Tampa. The Housing Authority attempted to help those veterans by giving priority them for housing. The new North Boulevard homes was dedicated without fanfare simply salute to the flag of United States of America in a prayer. The new history began for potentially 534 residents on Sunday afternoon in July 1940. Those residents realized that their lives were changed forever. The rent for these apartments ranges from a low of $10 to a high of $50 a month, at the beginning every resident paid some rent in almost every adult work. Housing was sold clinical in Tampa that when residents received better jobs or when their siblings went to college and we turned usually the families were moved out the philosophy was give other low-income people a chance to move in because residents with better jobs could afford housing outside the project which were designed for lower income. The beautifully landscaped yards, the spacious apartments with indoor plumbing hot and cold water, residents could drink water from the kitchen sink and feel comfortable with the water they had in the kitchen, with spacious cabinets electrical hookups for washing machines, closets in each bedroom in front and since then backyards became home for many, there was also a small play area behind each unit. This book should offer a sense of richness of the Black residents who were a part of the community of Blacks that once lived or still live in the North Boulevard Homes in Tampa, Florida. Several of the persons who lived in North Boulevard were the first to achieve a goal and to gain recognition for that achievement which was is very important as a symbol of hope and a beacon of light for the future. These men and women are living proof that it is possible to have great careers and enjoy the success which provided for them a substantial lifestyle that lead to a comfortable retirement. As a community, African Americans no matter how oppressed have nurtured positive values, set future goals and passed them own to future generations. They showed that it was possible to reach the glass ceiling and break the monolithic system expression and segregation.