Evansville in Vanderburgh County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charlie Wiggins
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 16, 2021
1. Charlie Wiggins Marker
Charles Edwin Wiggins, born in Evansville on July 15, 1897, would become America’s most acclaimed African American racing driver. Charlie grew up poor. His father was a coal mi er, and after his mother died when he was nine, Charlie shined shoes to help the family. But he was fascinated with cars, and could identify any make car solely by the engine sound. In 1917 he became Evansville’s first African-American mechanic. Acclaimed for his aptitude, his skills would open many doors.
In 1922 charlie moved to Indianapolis to be near the racing action. He built his first race car from junk parts, and soon was winning wherever he raced. He gained national acclaim when he won the prestigious Gold and Glory Sweepstakes four times. Charlie’s mechanical skill was as acclaimed as his driving. Despite the era’s segregationist attitudes that prevented him from advancing, the top drivers, incuding 1934 Indy 500 winner, Bill Cummings, often turned to him for help. Until his death on, March 11, 1979, he fought to make auto racing inclusive.
Erected 2018 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association.
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. 37° 58.233′ N, 87° 33.389′ W. Marker is in Evansville, Indiana, in Vanderburgh County. It is at the intersection of Garvin Street and Lincoln Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Garvin Street. marker is at the Evansville African American Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 579 S Garvin St, Evansville IN 47713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region and in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Evansville African American Museum Founder’s Marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 16, 2021
2. Charlie Wiggins Marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 16, 2021
3. Charlie Wiggins Marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 16, 2021
4. Charlie Wiggins Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
