Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

School Transportation

By Bernard Fisher, April 14, 2017

1. School Transportation Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Virginia public school boards began providing transportation to white students early in the 20th century but frequently denied this service to African Americans. Black children often had to walk miles to school, leading to nonattendance. Across Virginia in the 1930s, black community organizations raised funds for buses. Lucian Hunter, supported by the Chickahominy Baptist Association, acquired Hanover County’s first school bus for African Americans ca. 1934. His sons Clarence, Earl, and Chester drove students to the Hanover County Training School. Petitioned by Hunter and others, the school board voted in 1935 to contribute funds toward this service. County schools were desegregated in 1969.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-142.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 37° 46.032′ N, 77°

N Washington Hwy (facing north) image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 14, 2017

2. N Washington Hwy (facing north)

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28.236′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker is on North Washington Highway (U.S. 1) south of Berkley Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland VA 23005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Randolph-Macon College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry at Hanover Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ashland (approx. half a mile away); Rev. Alexander G. Brown D.D. (approx. half a mile away); Blackwell House (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Randolph-Macon College (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Blanton House (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Ashland (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

N Washington Hwy (facing south) image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 14, 2017

3. N Washington Hwy (facing south)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 3 times this year. Last updated on January 4, 2018, by patricia Hunter-Jordan of Mechanicsville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.