Greenville in Pitt County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021

1. Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza Marker

Inscription. "Downtown" was once a vibrant African American community in Greenville where people lived, worked, played, and worshiped together. But their homes, businesses, and church were destroyed during the urban redevelopment era of the late 1960s, displacing residents and erasing a thriving, independent neighborhood. Today, many former community members remain in Greenville, active and connected to one another.

Designed as a contemplative space for healing and remembrance, Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza commemorates Downtown and its close knit community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 35° 36.946′ N, 77° 22.421′ W. Marker is in Greenville, North Carolina, in Pitt County. It is at the intersection of West First Street and North Greene Street (County Highway 1531), on the right when traveling west on West First Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W 1st St, Greenville NC 27858, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. 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: Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Neighborhood Unity and Community Pride (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); United in Faith (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Common & Urban Renewal (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas J. Jarvis (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021

2. Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza Marker

"A lot of people (now) don't have a lot of pride that my grandmother and that generation had with property... their yards were swept... older people had their flower yards and maybe some gardens out in the back, a couple of rows of collards greens and tomato plants." -- Ann Huggins View of homes and Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church along West First Street.

Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021

3. Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.