The Lawrence Tract in Public History

“In 1950 the Fair Play Council developed a plan that was radical for the period, a racially integrated housing tract. Members of the council contributed down payments to purchase about 25 lots. Paul Lawrence, an African-American student at Stanford, was contact with the City of Palo Alto planning commission. The subdivision was later named the Lawrence Tract. There were of course hostile reactions from local whites. Gerda got some unpleasant phone calls. She felt that the project, while small, definitely proved something. In 1950 she ran for the state assembly 28th district seat on the Democratic ticket, but lost.”

— From, “Two Lost Landmarks”
Los Altos Hills Historical Society