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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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

and also the Antebellum South.

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); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Market House (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.

Portrait of J. R. Clifford image. Click for full size.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons, 1887

3. Portrait of J. R. Clifford

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,416 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 27, 2024. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.