Central Business District in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lucile Barrow Turner

(1895–1979)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

1. Lucile Barrow Turner Marker

Inscription. ’Cile Turner, a Southside Virginia native who resided near Lynchburg, championed African American folk music during her 50-year career as a composer, folklorist, and performer. A white, affluent, married woman, she transcended social norms as she traveled throughout the South to perform and learn work songs, dance tunes, lullabies, and spirituals. In 1930 she gained national recognition as star of the Craddock-Terry Shoe Company’s weekly radio program on NBC. She later promoted African American folk music through studio recordings and television appearances. Her casual, engaging manner and her respectful treatment of the music won praise from both black and white audiences.

Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-36.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 37° 24.673′ N, 79° 8.281′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Virginia. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of Commerce Street and Horseford Road and Main Street, on the left when traveling south on Commerce Street. It is at the small parking lot in front of the Craddock Terry Hotel, formerly the Craddock-Terry Shoe Company factory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1312 Commerce St, Lynchburg VA 24504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

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 original Thirteen Colonies,

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: Lynchburg History (within shouting distance of this marker); Luke Jordan, Blues Pioneer (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker

Lucile Barrow Turner Marker at the Craddock-Terry Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

2. Lucile Barrow Turner Marker at the Craddock-Terry Hotel

The Craddock-Terry Shoe Company factory building has been converted into a boutique hotel.

also named Lynchburg History (about 600 feet away); Diamond Hill (about 600 feet away); Water Bearer (about 800 feet away); Federal Transient Bureau Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cary DeVall Langhorne (1837-1948) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Percival's Island Overlook (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Also see . . . Lynchburg historic Marker to honor ’Cile Turner. 2016 article by Sherese A. Gore in the Lynchburg The News & Advance. “Turner was an affluent white woman, “but to hear her sing, she sounded African American and her music is all based on African-American songs, lullabies and traditions,” said Jane Baber White, sponsor of the marker. ‘I think one of the most fascinating things is that she was respected and admired by both races back in a time when that wasn’t normal,’ she said.” (Submitted on June 16, 2017.)

LOVEwork Shoe by Paul Clements image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

3. LOVEwork Shoe by Paul Clements

Eight feet tall with two bench seats inside.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,072 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.