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In the 1950s and ’60s, local NAACP leader George T. Raymond helped desegregate area schools, movie theaters and restaurants. He didn’t back down easily, which is probably the only reason he was able to keep a house he bought in Rutledge, Delaware County.
After news got out the Raymonds were moving in, things got violent — and the borough government only exacerbated the trouble.
This is the story of a Black family that attempted to integrate an all-white Philly suburb.
For this week's Headline of Yore we head back to today in 1958:
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
"Home Burns, NAACP Aide Hints Arson"
This is the story of a Black family that attempted to integrate an all-white Philly suburb, had their home burned…and then nearly seized by the town itself. pic.twitter.com/vO4AyIb5Bl
In 1958, a Chester NAACP leader named George T. Raymond bought a home in the all-white Delaware County enclave of Rutledge.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
Two important notes for later.
1. The home, long vacant, had been foreclosed on.
2.The mortgage was held by the V.A.
Raymond bought the home in mid-May.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
The *day before* he and his wife were set to move in, a mysterious, early-morning fire gutted the property. pic.twitter.com/1j6MOPEqC4
Local authorities said they could find no evidence of arson.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
However…the borough president readily admitted to the Inquirer that he'd been bombarded with calls after people found out a Black couple were moving in.
And… pic.twitter.com/cGdnG8GpXF
…The Philadelphia Tribune actually went to Rutledge and found that several people in the community thought the fire was set intentionally.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
"It serves him right," said one white resident.
"I'm not prejudiced," said another. "But Negroes just don't belong among white people." pic.twitter.com/SmzA1iNPBI
Perhaps the most tolerant person quoted in the Tribune story was a Rutledge resident and Swarthmore student, who conceded that the "Negro students in her class are 'very nice people…But to live in the same community with them is another thing.'"
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
But…authorities say no arson.
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This type of thing happened repeatedly to Black families in the area…
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
Per historian John McLarnon, a house in Aldan was vandalized, a mob showed up in Folsom, and Eagles legend Irv Cross was actually sued when he attempted to buy in Newtown Square.https://t.co/E6k4ydt0p4 pic.twitter.com/Ro3dmdaAp6
The fire, however, was just the start of Raymond's troubles.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
Recall…the house had long been vacant when Raymond bought it.
But…after the fire…Rutledge said the Raymond house was a hazard.
The borough attempted to seize it and turn the property into a *town hall.* pic.twitter.com/eh6hSbfHfc
Raymond explained that the V.A. held the mortgage, which meant he had to go through a specific process to make necessary renovations to his badly damaged property.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
Raymond sued the borough…which eventually backed off its attempts to seize the property.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
In 1959, the Raymonds did move into the house…a year after they'd purchased it.
Raymond was not cowed by the incident.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
He'd long been a civil rights leader in Chester…and remained in that role.
He was a major part of 1964 protests that drew national attention to Chester and resulted, ultimately, in a school desegregation plan.https://t.co/N6t6na3fjk
Raymond, who died in 1999, also helped desegregate Chester's movie theaters and restaurants by organizing sit-ins.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
He was, according to McLarnon, remarkably effective. pic.twitter.com/5fdLLnMUW7
Demographically, however, Rutledge hasn't changed much since Raymond purchased — and fought for — a home there in 1958.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 27, 2021
Of the borough's 860 residents, 1.6% are Black, according the U.S. Census.