FLORENCE -- Spaulding Heights is one of the oldest African American American communities in North Florence.
The neighborhood was developed and established in 1962. It was the first brick-home community for African Americans.
Many residents say that was a big deal back then because a lot of African Americans couldn't afford to build brick houses.
"We didn't realize the importance of it until we started listening to some of the other people tell us about. I mean, they said, 'oh we live in the first brick home.' At my age, we didn't know what that meant because we didn't realize that people couldn't have brick homes and when we found out the significance of it, it just blew our minds," said Joyce Black.
The community held a cookout on Labor Day to celebrate. There were plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue and fried fish for all to enjoy.
"Awe, it's forever. Fifty years living here at Spaulding Heights, wouldn't have it no better. No other way than staying here," said Caroline McMillan.
"This community means, enormous, a lot to me. History, inheritance, I been out here since I've been one-years-old and I love it so much. Being born and raised out here, I bought a home out here next to where I was raised," said LeVance McIver.
Spaulding Heights started out with just a few homes, but now has 220 houses. It was once said the neighborhood had a preacher, a teacher, and a leader on every corner.
Some of the families that have moved away came back for the celebration.
"We've had so much fun. We've had people come from Baltimore from Tennessee. People coming from all over just to relive the Spaulding memory," explained Black.
Many shared memories of what it was like growing up in the community.
Black said, "We move here in 1962 and I went away to Maryland for the last 30 years and when I came back, I saw that some of the same people were here and it was so good to get to work with them again to put together a weekend of fun and excitement for the entire community."
The cookout rounded out a weekend of events, including a banquet attended by more than 250 people.
Officials with the Greater United Spaulding Heights Community Association say they're thankful to the many sponsors who helped make the 50th birthday celebration a great success.
