Tupelo in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Sit-Ins Led to Civil Rights Act of 1964
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F.W. Woolworth
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017
1. Sit-Ins Led to Civil Rights Act of 1964 Marker
During the 1960s, F. W. Woolworth Company operated lunch counters at its "five-and-dime stores" on a "local custom" basis - meaning racially segregated seating in the Southern United States. As the movement to resist segregation grew, the Tupelo Woolworth store lunch Counter was the scene of local protests. While other sit-ins were contentious, the Tupelo events were peaceful. In 1964, the passage of the Civil Rights Act prompted Woolworth to announce "now the company will be able to serve all its customers in all of its stores on a desegregated basis." The Civil Rights Act was momentous for African-Americans; however as in most of the South, it would be several years before full integration was commonplace in Tupelo.
Sit-ins were an integral part of the non-violent strategy of civil disobedience and mass protests that eventually led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On February 1, 1960, four African-American college students from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina asked to be served at the lunch counter of the Greensboro, North Carolina, Woolworth store. This first Woolworth sit-in had very little effect on the store that day, but when a larger group returned
this page online
Erected 2013 by the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 34° 15.402′ N, 88° 42.257′ W. Marker is in Tupelo, Mississippi, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of South Spring Street and Troy Street, on the right when traveling north on South Spring Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 South Spring Street, Tupelo MS 38804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically ast Mississippi in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: BancorpSouth (within shouting distance of this marker); The Iron Furnace / Front Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tupelo Hardware (about 400 feet away); Dr. William Robert Hunt's Office
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017
2. F.W. Woolworth Marker
More about this marker. The initial marker for the Civil Rights & African American Heritage trail, part of the Heritage Trails Enrichment Program.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017
3. The former F.W. Woolworth store, now part of Reed's Gumtree Bookstore.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017
4. Marker is on extreme left corner. Beautiful "bookshelf" wall coverings on Troy Street side.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2015
5. Lee County Civil Rights Monument
(located at northeast corner of nearby former courthouse)
(located at northeast corner of nearby former courthouse)
But let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
This monument is dedicated to honor all of the Lee County citizens who worked, served and participated in the 1950s, 60s and 70s movement to achieve civil and human rights. They placed their lives, families and livelihoods in jeopardy to fight for justice and equality. Their names are too numerous to list here, but their legacies will live on.
Dedicated on this the 21st day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine.
This monument is dedicated to honor all of the Lee County citizens who worked, served and participated in the 1950s, 60s and 70s movement to achieve civil and human rights. They placed their lives, families and livelihoods in jeopardy to fight for justice and equality. Their names are too numerous to list here, but their legacies will live on.
Dedicated on this the 21st day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,206 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on January 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
