Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Knotty Pine Restaurant
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
1. Knotty Pine Restaurant Marker
Inscription.
Knotty Pine Restaurant. . In 1875 the Delaware General Assembly enacted legislation requiring the racial segregation of public places such as train stations, hotels, and restaurants. For most of the next century this practice was strictly enforced. Established at this location in 1959, the Knotty Pine Restaurant was a refuge for African Americans in a city where access to public facilities was still limited. Noted for its “down home cooking” and friendly atmosphere, the Knotty Pine was popular with residents and visitors alike. Among the establishment’s many patrons were entertainers Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Lena Horne. In 1961 the Wilmington City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting refusal of service due to race or religion. With the approval of the Public Accommodations Act by the state legislature in 1963, the era of legally segregated public places in Delaware was over.
In 1875 the Delaware General Assembly enacted legislation requiring the racial segregation of public places such as train stations, hotels, and restaurants. For most of the next century this practice was strictly enforced. Established at this location in 1959, the Knotty Pine Restaurant was a refuge for African Americans in a city where access to public facilities was still limited. Noted for its “down home cooking” and friendly atmosphere, the Knotty Pine was popular with residents and visitors alike. Among the establishment’s many patrons were entertainers Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Lena Horne. In 1961 the Wilmington City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting refusal of service due to race or religion. With the approval of the Public Accommodations Act by the state legislature in 1963, the era of legally segregated public places in Delaware was over.
Erected 2006 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-149.)
32.638′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is at the intersection of 11th Street and Wilson Street, on the right when traveling east on 11th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 E 11th Street, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
2. Knotty Pine Restaurant
Restaurant is still in operation.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,227 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
