Near Danielsville in Madison County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn and the Civil Rights Act
Photographed By David Seibert, April 16, 2010
1. Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn and the Civil Rights Act Marker
On the night of July 11, 1964 three African-American World War II veterans returning home following training at Ft. Benning, Georgia were noticed in Athens by local members of the Ku Klux Klan. The officers were followed to the nearby Broad River Bridge where their pursuers fired into the vehicle, killing Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn. When a local jury failed to convict the suspects of murder, the federal government successfully prosecuted the men for violations under the new Civil Rights Act of 1964, passed just nine days before Penn’s murder. The case was instrumental in the creation of a Justice Department task force whose work culminated in the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Erected 2006 by Georgia Historical Society, Lemuel Penn Memorial Committee, and Colbert Grove Baptist Church. (Marker Number 97-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1964.
Location. 34° 9.38′ N, 83° 5.046′ W. Marker is near Danielsville, Georgia, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Georgia Route 172 and Roy Wood Road on State Route 172. The marker is at the Elbert
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. William Bartram Trail (approx. 4.7 miles away); Crawford W. Long (approx. 8.1 miles away); Madison County (approx. 8.1 miles away); Crawford W Long M D (approx. 8.1 miles away); Stinchcomb Methodist Church (approx. 8.1 miles away); Crawford Long Birthsite (approx. 8.2 miles away); Morris Marion Bryan (approx. 8.9 miles away); Watson Mill Bridge (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danielsville.
Also see . . . Lemuel Penn Murder. The New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on April 29, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Additional keywords. Murder, Terrorism
Photographed By David Seibert, April 16, 2010
2. Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn and the Civil Rights Act Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, April 16, 2010
3. Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn and the Civil Rights Act Marker
Looking east on Georgia Highway 172 to the bridge over the Broad River, site of the murder
Photographed By David Seibert, April 16, 2010
4. Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn and the Civil Rights Act Marker
Looking west on Georgia Highway 172 toward Athens; Col. Penn and the other two Army Officers came from this direction.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,474 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
