Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park
National Register Historic Site
Eastside Neighborhood Black History Trail
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
1. General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park Marker
Inscription.
General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park. National Register Historic Site. The house on the left is the birthplace of the first African American four star general, Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. (1920-1978). The steps on the right are the remnants of the private school run by his mother, Mrs. Lillie James, where he received his earliest education. General James was among the dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when many people thought black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. He is listed on the official roster of Tuskegee Airmen pilot graduates and trained pilots for the famed all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. General James was ultimately assigned as Commander in Chief of the North American Defense Command (NORAD) and Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) having responsibility for all facets of air defense in the United States and Canada.
The house on the left is the birthplace of the first African American four
star general, Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. (1920-1978). The steps on the
right are the remnants of the private school run by his mother, Mrs. Lillie
James, where he received his earliest education. General James was
among the dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become
America's first black military airmen, at a time when many people
thought black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. He
is listed on the official roster of Tuskegee Airmen pilot graduates and
trained pilots for the famed all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron. He was
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the
Distinguished Flying Cross. General James was ultimately assigned as
Commander in Chief of the North American Defense Command
(NORAD) and Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) having
responsibility for all facets of air defense in the United States and
Canada.
Location. 30° 25.808′ N, 87° 12.81′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drive (Florida Route 291) north of East Moreno Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1606 Doctor M.L.K Jr Dr, Pensacola FL 32503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, 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: Living in Eastside (here, next to this marker); History in Place
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
2. Marker at Historic Site, Home, Museum & Flight Academy.
Steps that are the remnants of the private school run by his mother.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
5. Nearby steps mentioned on the marker
All that remains of Lillie James schoolhouse are these concrete steps near the sidewalk.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 674 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
