Oaktree Townhomes

The demolition of Oaktree Townhomes in 2001 brought to an end to this residential community that had stood at the intersection of East President Street Extension and Walhstrom Road for nearly sixty years. The chapters of its history correspond to the different names given to the complex. It was built in 1943 as Moses Rogers Grove and renamed in 1949 as Riverside Gardens.

Built for defense workers during World War II, Moses Rogers Grove was located literally next door to Southeastern Shipyard. It was the smallest of the wartime housing developments on the eastside, with apartments for 150 families. The two-story frame buildings were laid out in a horseshoe design that left inviting green space in the center of the complex. Amenities offered to residents included a barber shop, lunch counter, post office, and Western Union office, but families no doubt enjoyed the free movies shown twice a week at the Administration Building best of all.

In 1949, Moses Rogers Grove went into private hands when it was sold to Milton Gordon of New York. The new name of “Riverside Gardens” reflected a change in ownership. With affordable rent and a playground for the children, Riverside Gardens appealed to young families. More and more industrial development along President Street in the 1960s persuaded some that Riverside Gardens had outlived its usefulness as a residential property. However, the Citizens and Southern Community Development Corporation purchased the complex in 1969 with the intent to create a “model community.” Despite renovations, Riverside Gardens declined as crime took up residence where so many of the tenants were transient and underemployed.

Sold yet again in 1981, Riverside Gardens emerged as Oaktree Townhomes. The buildings became progressively more dilapidated as the new owners toyed with the idea of razing the housing and building a shopping center on the site. In 1995, however, Oaktree came into the public eye in connection with an industrial disaster. Vapors of crude sulfide turpentine seeping from a Powell-Duffryn storage tank directly behind Oaktree ignited and exploded into a fireball that set other nearby tanks on fire. All individuals within a half-mile radius were evacuated, including all Oaktree residents. Many apartments at Oaktree had windows blown out but only two units had dangerous levels of chemical contamination. Residents were allowed to return home in a month after their apartments had been thoroughly cleaned.

The deterioration of Oaktree was rapid after the Powell-Duffryn fire. Half-occupied, half-boarded up to keep out vagrants, Oaktree was demolished in 2001.

Construction of Moses Rogers Grove

Courtesy of Charles Varner.

Only four months were needed to erect Moses Rogers Grove by 1943. Efficient use of time and materials were essential to meet this schedule, as seen in this photograph taken three weeks into the construction process.