Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell
(1918-1996)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2019
1. Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell Marker
A graduate of McCaskey High School and Penn State Univ., Ewell was one of the world’s leading sprinters and long jumpers in the late 1930s and 40s. Cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics during WWII prevented Ewell from competing in his prime. He maintained his conditioning and at age 30 matched the world record in the 100-meter dash at the Olympic Trials. He competed in the 1948 Olympics in London and won a gold and two silver medals.Erected 2018 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.
Location. 40° 2.858′ N, 76° 17.524′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Marker is on North Reservoir Street east of North Franklin Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the J. P. McCaskey High School grounds, near the visitor parking
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Fulton Reynolds (approx. half a mile away); Thaddeus Stevens (approx. 0.7 miles away); Colonial Mansion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Monument to John Wise (approx. 0.7 miles away); Christopher Marshall (approx. 0.7 miles away); Revolutionary War Stables (approx. ¾ mile away); Military Stables and Barracks (approx. ¾ mile away); Shippen House (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.
Also see . . . EWELL, Henry Norwood ("Barney"). While still in high school in Lancaster, Ewell won the U.S. junior sprint title for 1936, and followed this with a stellar career on the track team at Pennsylvania State University. On the mostly white Penn State campus, the African-American Ewell stood out, but not only because of his race and his athletic talent. He was well known on campus for his friendly manner, personal charm, and sense of humor. Most sprinters are in their prime in their twenties; Ewell won his Olympic medals at age thirty, a notable achievement that has made track fans wonder what he would have done if he could have competed at a world level earlier. (Submitted on June 24, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2019
2. Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell Marker (wide view looking east along N. Reservoir St. to school)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
