Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Bass-Ellison Building
Fredericksburg: Timeless.
"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."
–Frederick Douglass
In the 1980s, the City of Fredericksburg converted this former bowling alley to house its Social Services and Health Departments. Its name reflects powerful traditions of service, embodied by two African American doctors. Urbane Francis Bass trained at Shaw University and provided medical care in this community in the early twentieth century. Richard C. Ellison graduated from Howard University Medical School and practiced medicine in Fredericksburg from the 1930s to the 1980s.
During World War I, First Lieutenant Bass, U.S. Army Medical Corps, served with the racially segregated 372nd Regiment. Wounded on October 6, 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for "extraordinary heroism." Where Dr. Bass had been forced to practice without hospital privileges, Dr. Ellison broke that barrier and others. With other prominent African-American leaders, Dr. Ellison also participated in the Civil Rights Movement. He is buried in Caroline County.
[Captions:]
Dr. Urbane Bass was buried in Fredericksburg's National Cemetery on July 23, 1921. Sixty five years later, his wife Maude joined him there.
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These two doctors had their offices on Amelia Street, an African American neighborhood of modest homes and small businesses. Their actual offices are no longer standing.
Dr. Richard C. Ellison, Sr. served the Fredericksburg community for 51 years.
Erected by Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Office.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Science & Medicine • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the National Cemeteries, and the Virginia, Fredericksburg: Timeless. series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1921.
Location. 38° 17.871′ N, 77° 27.77′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Jackson Street just east of Charlotte Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 608 Jackson St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: 1849 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct
Other markers no longer nearby. Fredericksburg Campaign (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Maryes Heights (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Canal Ditch (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Ravaged Town (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
