Tuskegee in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
William P. Mitchell
(1912-1986)
— The Tuskegee Civil Rights and Historic Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019
1. William P. Mitchell Marker
Following World War II, Tuskegee's black population began to grow, and many sought to register to vote. Perceiving a threat to their political power, white politicians tried to control the black vote through a variety of techniques. These actions included, but were not limited to, requiring blacks and whites to register in separate parts of the Macon County Courthouse and requiring black applicants to read and transcribe articles from the Constitution of the United States. In 1945, Veterans Administration Hospital employee and Tuskegee Civic Association activist William P. Mitchell sued the Board of Registrars for a Certificate of Registration. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama initially dismissed the case. The case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which subsequently remanded it to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and they ruled in favor of the registrars. When Mitchell appealed, the registrars produced documents showing that his application had been approved several years earlier. Mitchell's attempt to vote, and ultimate success, was illustrative of the voting rights struggle.Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation Markers, and the Tuskegee Civil Rights and Historic Trail, Alabama series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 25.461′ N, 85° 41.566′ W. Marker was in Tuskegee, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker was on North Elm Street north of West Northside Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: North Elm Street, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. 119 Westside Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brief History of Tuskegee, Alabama (about 400 feet away); "Trade With Your Friends" (about 500 feet away); Macon County Confederate Monument (about 600 feet away); Macon County Legal Milestone (about 600 feet away); Samuel "Sammy" Leamon Younge, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away);
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019
2. View from marker easterly with Macon County Courthouse tower on right skyline.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019
3. View from marker south towards US-80 intersection.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 20, 2019
4. Dedication program and associated map of trail.
All thirteen new markers were dedicated on September 20th, 2019 at the Tuskegee Municipal Complex.
Please note #1 on the map, Amelia Boynton Robinson marker is actually on Franklin Road, NNW of Tuskegee University, near Boy Scout Circle.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 29, 2022
5. William P. Mitchell Marker post but no marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on June 29, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
