Karl D. Gregory (center) tries to buy a house in the Belair development, but sales clerks insisted that the Levitt homes could only be sold to white people in December 1962. (Source: Washington Star Photo collection, courtesy of DC Library)

In December 1962, Karl D. Gregory (center) tried to buy a house in the Belair development, but sales clerks insisted that the Levitt homes could only be sold to white people. (Source: Washington Star Photo collection, courtesy of DC Library)

Back to Bowie

"Belair at Bowie": Segregated Suburbia

Maryland
 by
Katherine Brodt

By 1963, “Belair at Bowie” was thriving. Since its opening in 1961, over 2,000 houses were occupied. But its prosperity hid an uncomfortable truth. William Levitt’s vision of the perfect neighborhood included attractive homes, affordable prices, comfort, and community — but only one type of neighbor. From the moment Levitt arrived in Washington, local activists — and even the government — became aware of the developer’s racist policy: none of the homes in Belair could be sold to people of color.

View full article on Boundary Stones