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Note: My uncle Charles was a man of many talents. He married Lila Mitchell nine years after I was born, so my memory of him is that of a young lad in grammar school. These memories include his genius in electronics even in the early 30's when radio, TV, ship's navigational guidance systems and aircraft electronics were just being designed and developed. Just outside of Newport News, Hilton Village was "born" when my Uncle Charles was about 6-7 years old. The Shipbuilding Realty Corporation was organized and cleared the heavily-wooded area west of Newport News in April 1918. By November 1918, when WW I was over, 138 homes had been completed to house workers in the shipyard and 58 almost ready for occupancy, In 1922, this little "Hilton Village" was sold to private interests and homes were purchased by individuals. Those dwellings are still occupied by specialty offices of doctors, lawyers, architects and real estate developers.
In 1932, Charles owned and operated a radio repair shop in Ahoskie, NC.
In the mid-30's, playwright Paul Green wrote a new a new form of entertainment for the American stage - the outdoor drama! On July 4, 1937, at the especially designed and constructed Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island, NC, a packed-house witnessed a historic presentation of the initial performance of his play, "THE LOST COLONY." My Uncle Charles was responsible for designing and implementing the sound system for this dramatic theatrical event.
During this time (November 1937) Uncle Charles married Lila and returned to Newport News, VA. He and his new bride lived in the Shipyard Apartments. Seems as if everyone in the Brooks family must have lived in the "Shipyard Apartments" at one time or another. They next moved "uptown" to the St. James Terrace overlooking the Yard. It's ironic - Ms. Ada Miller, my wife's sister, lived in the very same apartment complex until her death in March 1940.
During WW II, Newport News residents feared German submarines. All performances of the LOST COLONY were canceled. Civil Defense monitors imposed strict "Black-outs" on North Carolina and Virginia coastal residents.
Uncle Charles owned and operated a number of Radio/TV Retail Sales outlets in Newport News. Uncle Charles was also generous to his family and took some members along on these trips.
During WW II, Charles worked in the Shipyard. So did everyone else! Charles' job was with the new radar and radio equipment on the Midway aircraft carrier.
After the war, my Uncle Charles began working with Roane Radio store. His marketing genius was rewarded by many free sales incentive trips to many locations in South America, the Caribbean Islands and Europe. Charles was also generous to his family and took some members along on these trips. Following this activity, he started his own business - Electronic Service on Warwick Avenue. He and Lila adopted a baby named Betsy and formed a lifetime family in Newport News, VA. They moved into Stuart Garden and in 1955 built their home at 204 Parkway Drive.
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