Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Six Pioneers

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

1. Six Pioneers Marker

Inscription. Six African-American students from Arkansas pioneered the integration of the University of Arkansas through its School of Law between 1948-51. Silas Hunt was the first to enroll, but he died of illness in 1949. The first to graduate, in 1951, was Jackie Shropshire, who became an attorney in Indiana. Enrolling in 1949 were George Haley, who went on to become U.S. ambassador to Gambia; Chris Mercer, who became a Little Rock attorney; and Wiley Branton, who served as dean of the Howard University law school. The sixth pioneer was George Howard, Jr., who became U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Arkansas.

Erected 2001 by Arkansas Alumni Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 36° 4.205′ N, 94° 10.527′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Garland Avenue and West Maple Street, on the right when traveling north on Garland Avenue. Marker is on the west side of the University of Arkansas School of Law. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1045 W Maple St, Fayetteville AR 72701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Clintons on Law Faculty (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The Leflar Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Integration (within shouting distance of this marker); The $300 Million Gift (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campaign for the Twenty-First Century (about 300 feet away); The Dale Bumpers Legacy (about 400 feet away); First International Agriculture Mission (about 400 feet away); Senior Walk (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

Also see . . . Desegregating the University of Arkansas School of Law: L. Clifford Davis and the Six Pioneers (PDF). Reprint of scholarly article that appeared in the Summer 2009 issue of The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. (Judith Kilpatrick, via Arkansas Black Lawyers) (Submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 11, 2023

2. Six Pioneers Marker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

3. Six Pioneers Marker

Silas Herbert Hunt image. Click for full size.

University of Arkansas Libraries, Special Collections via Encyclopedia of Arkansas

4. Silas Herbert Hunt

He was the first African-American to enroll (in 1948), but died of tuberculosis just a year later.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on December 27, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on May 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.