Enfield in Halifax County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Louis Austin

1898 - 1971

Photographed by Michael Buckner, April 28, 2023

1. Louis Austin Marker

Inscription. African American editor. Published Durham-based Carolina Times, 1927-71. An advocate of social justice and civil rights. Was born in Enfield.

Erected 2018 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. (Marker Number E-126.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 36° 10.853′ N, 77° 39.96′ W. Marker is in Enfield, North Carolina, in Halifax County. It is at the intersection of Southeast Railroad Street and Whitfield Street (North Carolina Route 481), on the right when traveling south on Southeast Railroad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 SE Railroad St, Enfield NC 27823, 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 North America,

the Western

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Branch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Landmark Case (approx. ¼ mile away); Halifax Movement (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. half a mile away); "Enfield Riot" (approx. half a mile away); James E. O'Hara (approx. 0.8 miles away); Henry B. Bradford (approx. 2 miles away); Brick School (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Enfield.

Also see . . . Louis Austin.

Louis Austin (1898-1971) was an African-American journalist, civic leader and social activist. Austin purchased The Carolina Times in 1927 and transformed it into an institution that aided African Americans in their fight for freedom and equality in North Carolina. He used a new approach to civil rights issues in Durham, incorporating lower and middle class
Paid Advertisement

blacks, unlike the moderate, accommodationist approach of the black elite in Durham during this time. Austin's unusual strategy of advocating for the majority of blacks to have a voice in society succeeded in galvanizing a broader segment of the African American community in Durham to act for social change. Austin's approach to black activism helped lay the groundwork for the modern Civil Rights Movement in Durham in the late 1950s and 1960s, which also encouraged lower-income blacks to become politically active. His strategies—which were once considered too radical by his peers—allowed Austin to maintain his influence in Durham well into the 1950s and 1960s. In doing so, Austin created a lasting impact for Durham.

(Submitted on April 29, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 13 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A clear close-up photo of the marker. • Can you help?