Anniston in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Horror and Disbelief

1:55 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

— Freedom Riders National Monument —

Horror and Disbelief Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 26, 2023

1. Horror and Disbelief Marker

Inscription. The violence reached a crescendo when a flaming bundle of rags was thrown into one of the broken windows. Within seconds, the bundle exploded, sending dark gray smoke throughout the bus.

Three of the Riders found open windows, dropping to the ground and staggering across the street, where neighbors took the two white women to the hospital. The others were trapped inside as some of the mob pressed against the door screaming “burn them alive.” It was only an exploding fuel tank that forced the mob's retreat.

Agent Cowling then pried open the door and the choking passengers escaped. Hank Thomas, the first Rider to exit, was struck in the head with a baseball bat. He fell to the ground as the rest of the Riders spilled out.

A few of the neighbors stepped forward to offer assistance, including 12-year-old Janie Forsyth, who lived with her family next door to their store. She supplied the victims with water, filling and refilling a five-gallon bucket.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1961.

Location. 33° 39.481′ N, 85° 49.871′ W. Marker is in Anniston, Alabama, in Calhoun County. Marker can be reached from Gurnee Avenue south of West 11th

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Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1031 Gurnee Ave, Anniston AL 36201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pursuit / Trapped (here, next to this marker); The Burning Bus (here, next to this marker); The Ambush / The Police (here, next to this marker); Prelude / Arrival (here, next to this marker); The Segregationists (here, next to this marker); Rescue / Escape (here, next to this marker); Triumph (here, next to this marker); The Selection Process (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anniston.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 26, 2023

2. Horror and Disbelief Marker

Featured marker is the center of the three between the bus tires.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.