York in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Memorial Bench in Memory of Ms. Lillie Belle Allen

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020

1. Memorial Bench in Memory of Ms. Lillie Belle Allen Marker

Inscription.
Ms. Allen was a 27 year old single black Mother who on July 21st 1969 was shot and killed during the race riots here in York, PA.

Just a few blocks away from here at the intersection of Newberry St. and Gay Ave. at the railroad tracks, Ms. Allen's family was driving their Cadillac North on Newberry St. when they saw a large group of armed white men and young boys pointing rifles and guns at the car as they started over the railroad tracks. The family attempted to turn around when they saw the armed men and boys, but the car stalled out on the railroad tracks. Ms. Allen got out of the car in an attempt to get into the driver's seat and drive the family away from the area and back to safety. As she got out of the car and raised her hands in the air and yelled "Don't Shoot" a barrage of gunfire rang out, killing Ms. Allen and sending many, many bullets into the car. Ms. Allen died trying to save her family. This was a senseless killing of an innocent Mother trying to safe her Family.

This was a very shameful event to happen in the City of York, PA and it is a very bad part of our history, but none the less it is our

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History and this story must continue to be told. We must "never" forget the sacrifice Ms. Allen made for her family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Events • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1969.

Location. 39° 57.93′ N, 76° 44.297′ W. Marker is in York, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is at the intersection of North Newberry Street and Hill Avenue on North Newberry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 N Newberry St, York PA 17401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020

2. Memorial Bench in Memory of Ms. Lillie Belle Allen Marker

this marker: Memorial Bench in Memory of Police Officer Henry C. Schaad (here, next to this marker); The Forry House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kiwanis Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); Endangered Species (approx. ¼ mile away); Kiwanis Lake Water Control Bicentennial Commemorative Project (approx. ¼ mile away); Statue of Liberty Replica (approx. ¼ mile away); Jacob L. Devers (1887-1979) (approx. ¼ mile away); York Manufacturing Company (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in York.

Additional keywords. 1969 race riots

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.