The Story of Stonewall Court Civic
At the declaration of World War II in 1941, the nation was put on alert for foreign invasion. Over the entire country, on East and West Coasts, groups were formed for the safety and protection of people in all communities. Men and women were selected from each neighborhood to form a Civil Defense Patrol.
In our Court, a meeting place had to be found where the workers could hold meetings and store equipment. 345 Lexington Road was chosen because it was one of the few places that could be entered from the outside without going through the house.
Shelves and racks were installed in the basement to hold the steel helmets, special flashlights, stretchers, splints, and other first aid equipment. Thick black shades covered all of the windows and doors.
When the siren wailed in the night, the wardens reported immediately to pick up their helmets and lights. The streets were patrolled to insure that no light could be seen from any buildings and to make sure everyone was off of the street. The wardens stayed at their posts until the "all clear" signal was given. Only then would they return to headquarters to replace the equipment.
World War Il ended with a community drawn closely together by a common interest. This group of gentlemen decided that they should remain together, meeting in the same place, but calling themselves the Stonewall Court Civic Association.
The purpose of the new association was to further the community interest in civic affairs and to encourage a friendly relationship amongst the families who live in Stonewall Court.
Several years later, in 1954, the ladies of Stonewall Court formed the Stonewall Court Garden Club, later naming themselves the Stonewall Court Club. Much of the beautiful landscaping in the Court is due to their efforts. Their initiation of neighborhood-wide social gatherings are still favorites the Court's residents enjoy many years later.
In 1983, both clubs decided to pool talents and resources and the Stonewall Court Civic Association officially became one cohesive organization.
The people who have since come to live in the Court have picked up the torch and are carrying the ideals and spirit of the Air Raid Wardens of 1941.