Washington Square West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
1. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
W.E.B. Dubois lived in Philadelphia for a year during which he went door-to-door, interviewing each of the thousand black households. He classified each of them by social class according to his own judgment and used colors to represent each group on a map of the seventh ward.
Engine 11
In 1919, Engine 11 was the first fire station in which African-Americans were allowed to work as firemen. It was desegregated in 1952. Today all races and genders serve with honor to protect the citizens of Philadelphia.
Seventh Ward of Philadelphia
⬛ Grade 4: Vicious and Criminal Classes
🟦 Grade 3: The Poor
🟩 Grade 2: The Working People Fair to Comfortable
🟥 Grade 1: The "Middle Class" and those above
⬜ Residences of Whites, Stores, Public Buildings, etc.
Erected 2008 by City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. 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, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: W.E.B. Du Bois (within shouting distance of this marker); Lombard Street Riot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard Allen (about 400 feet away); The Philadelphia Tribune (about 400 feet away); The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard (about 400 feet away); In Tribute to the Emanuel Nine (about 400 feet away); Free African Society (about 400 feet away); Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
2. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
3. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
4. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
5. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
6. Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois and Engine #11 Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 10, 2025
8. Dedication plaque on the building
James Chappell
Capt. David Holcombe
Phyllis McAllister
Who gave their lives in the line of duty
February 23, 1991
Presented - Memorial Day 1991
By the People of the South Street Area
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 7, 8. submitted on May 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
