West Park View in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Israel Charles Norcom High School

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 2, 2018

1. Israel Charles Norcom High School Marker

Inscription.
I.C. Norcom (1856-1916) was an African American educator and administrator who served Portsmouth schools for more than 30 years. The first school to bear his name opened in 1920 three quarters of a mile southeast of here. Principal William E. Riddick and vice principal Lavinia M. Weaver led it for decades. The school moved into a new building nearby in 1937 and again relocated to a new facility, about a mile southwest of here, in 1953. The school’s academic, athletic, and cultural programs were central to the community. Students conducted sit-ins to desegregate Portsmouth lunch counters in 1960, and alumni became local, state, and national leaders. Norcom High School moved here in 1998.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 36° 50.236′ N, 76° 19.199′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in West Park View. It is

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at the intersection of London Boulevard (Virginia Route 141) and Ruth Brown Way, on the right when traveling east on London Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 London Blvd, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: The Historic Portsmouth Community Library (approx. half a mile away); John W. H. Porter (approx. 0.7 miles away); Thomas Williamson, M.D. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Colonel James Gregory Hodges

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 2, 2018

2. Israel Charles Norcom High School Marker.

The marquee (background) shows the school mascot, “Greyhounds.”

(approx. 0.7 miles away); James F. Crocker (approx. 0.7 miles away); Portsmouth Rifles Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Co. G, 9th Va. Infantry Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Cedar Grove Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

More about this marker. The marker was unveiled on January 26, 2018. The school is more commonly known as “I.C. Norcom High School"

Also see . . .
1. New Historical Marker Commemorates the Role of Educator I.C. Norcom in Portsmouth. The Virginian-Pilot website entry (Submitted on February 3, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia.)

2. I.C. Norcom High School website. (Submitted on February 3, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia.)

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 2, 2018

3. Israel Charles Norcom High School Marker.

I.C. Norcom High School and its marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 2, 2018

4. I.C. Norcom High School and its marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,054 times since then and 218 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 3, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.