Four more new historical markers have been added at the following locations in honor of African American businesses that operated from 1900 until the 1970s.
Mr. Cecile Endsley was the owner/operator of a small business center building consisting of a laundromat, a pool hall and car wash and also a barber shop that was leased to Mrs. Murleen Williams from the 1960s through the 1990s located on Spring Street, now named MLK Jr. Boulevard and First Street.
Mr. E.W. Brewster was a principal at A.L. Turner Elementary School and was a seventh grade math teacher at A.L. Turner Jr. High School from 1947 through the 1970s and also owned and operated the Hill Top Gulf Gas Station & Auto Sales from the 1950s through the 1980s located on East Sabine and Locust streets.
Mr. Harmon “Train” Gates is internationally known for his writing over 69 gospel songs and many poems. Also he owned and operated a bicycle, go-cart and small engine repair shop in his community located on Heenan Street and Black Street from the1950s through 1970. He would fix the local children’s bicycles for free.
Mr. George D. & Mrs. Linnie B. Hawkins Ingram were owners/operators of a small gas station and grocery/variety store which Mr. G.D. Ingram’s Brother, E.D. Ingram, also operated a small barber shop from the 1950s through the 1980’s located on FM 999 and County Road 4191 across the street from the Shady Grove Gary Baptist Church in the Shady Grove Gary Tap Community.