Around the "Y" Community

Around the "Y" Community. . , This marker dedicated on September 1, 2007 memorializes and honors a predominately African American community., Originally the community was known as around the "Wire" today it is known as the "Y" community. It sprang up in the early 20th century and remained intact until the mid 1970s pursuant to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Affairs Redevelopment Plans., Early settlers faced many difficult challenges. In addition to slavery, there was the "Jim Crow" period and Great Depression., Their courage, religious faith, and strength of character saw them through those difficult times. The major means of livelihood for most of the early setters centered around the railroad, tobacco, cotton, and domestic work., Their contributions added significantly to the economic vitality of Rocky Mount and the coastal plain region of North Carolina., The descendants of those courageous, gifted, and resourceful people continued to make substantial contribution to the well-being of this city, state and nation.