History
- Neighborhood
- Civic Association
- Early Resident Accounts
If any resident has an account on history of the neighborhood, please contact jsvilla@mwca.net
At a meeting of neighbors on October 16, 1993 the decision was made to incorporate an association. Forty eight neighbors signed in at this meeting. The procedures to be followed were explained by officers of the existing neighboring Kenilworth Civic Association. Mr. Jim Altazan was named interim President at this first organizational meeting. The first meeting of the newly formed board took place on November 30, 1993. Areas in the neighborhood not covered by other associations were reviewed to be included in the corporation. At the next board meeting February 16, 1994, with nine board members in attendance at the Magnolia Wood Clubhouse, Mr. Altazan announced the filing of articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation were formally recorded on February 10, 1994, together with bylaws.
Since those early days, the civic association has remained active, with monthly board meetings, an annual picnic and member board meeting, and numerous projects for the benefit of the neighborhood. Following are some projects and dates first implemented or organized:
-Neighborhood Watch
-Newsletter
-Block and Street Captain
-Citizens on Patrol
-Fire Ant Funeral
-Entrance Marker
-Magnolia tree planting
If any resident has an account on history of the neighborhood, please contact jsvilla@mwca.net.
Don Hammatt - Maxine Drive
My dad grew up in Mount Hope on Highland Rd, he was born in 1913 and died in 1993. I grew up across the street at 8170 Highland Rd and was born in November of 1942. When I was a small child, Staring Lane was a gravel road and the first street off of Highland Road toward town was Nelson Drive. The Hammatt property was bordered by what are now Baird Drive and Albert Hart Drive all the way to The Pond subdivision.
A few memories of this area follow: My dad went frog hunting one night, probably in mid to late 40's, in a swampy area near the corner of Menlo and Magnolia Woods Drive, and came home with 10 or 12 big bullfrogs. He walked in our home and set the burlap sack on the floor before he began the process of skinning them. Soon we had frogs loose all over our house and 3 small boys chasing them.
My dad and uncle kept cattle on the Hammatt property until the early to mid 50's. When Albert Hart Drive was being developed I remember the cattle getting out on a regular basis. My brother and I would go in the late evenings and drive them back home. It wasn't a difficult chore, the cattle knew where they belonged, we just had to locate them and start them moving in the right direction.
One further memory, I killed my first wild duck in a shallow pond that was located between the south end of Maxine and Baird Drive. Not sure of my age, but likely 10 to 12.