Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

J. R. Clifford

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

1. J. R. Clifford Marker

Inscription. Born 1848 in Hardy Co. A Civil War vet., Storer College graduate, teacher and principal at local Sumner School. Published Pioneer Press (1882), first African American paper in state. First of race to pass state bar exam (1887); argued two race discrimination cases before Supreme Court. A founder of Niagra Movement, a predecessor of NAACP, and its 1906 Harpers Ferry meeting. Died Martinsburg, 1933.

Erected 2003 by West Virginia Celebration 2000 and the West Virginia Division of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 39° 27.583′ N, 77° 58.133′ W. Marker is in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in Berkeley County. Marker is on West Martin Street west of Raleigh Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 W Martin St, Martinsburg WV 25401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sumner-Ramer Memorial School (here, next to this marker); “Oh Shenandoah, I Long to See You!”

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Martinsburg / Berkeley Riflemen (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Federal Building (approx. ¼ mile away); 224 - 226 West King Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Market House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Belle Boyd (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsburg.

Marker in Front of Sumner-Ramer Memorial School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

2. Marker in Front of Sumner-Ramer Memorial School

Now known as the Ramer Center, home of the Sumner Ramer African American School Museum and The Berkeley County Schools’ Instructional Resource Center, Media Services and Special Education departments.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.