Riverfront in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hubert Eaton Sr.
— NC Civil Rights Trail —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
1. Hubert Eaton Sr. Marker
Erected 2023 by North Carolina African American Heritage Commission; William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 21.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports. In addition, it is included in the NC Civil Rights Trail, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists.
Location. 34° 14.191′ N, 77° 56.761′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Riverfront. Marker is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and Princess Street, on the right when traveling north on North 3rd Street. Marker is beside the New Hanover County Courthouse west entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 Princess St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Fisher (here, next to this marker); New Hanover County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); William Hooper (within shouting distance of this marker); Thalian Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Flame
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Dr. Hubert A. Eaton, Sr. (1916-1991).
In 1932 at the age of 15, Eaton was the first African American to win the NC Interscholastic Tennis Championship. He graduated from Johnson C. Smith University, he earned a Master of Science in Zoology and a medical degree at the University of Michigan. He was a guardian, mentor, and coach to the world tennis star Althea Gibson. He opened doors for African Americans in professional tennis, and was a trailblazer in his activism. Most of his challenges in life were heard in a courtroom. He initiated a series of lawsuits to end discrimination in New Hanover schools and sports along with a ten-year battle to end discriminatory practices in health care.(Submitted on May 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. What to know about a Wilmington icon whose legacy of school desegregation is in peril
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
2. Hubert Eaton Sr. Marker
In addition to having a private practice on North Seventh Street, Eaton was on the surgical staff at Wilmington's old, segregated Community Hospital for Blacks. In 1957, Eaton and other Black doctors sued to force Wilmington's James Walker Memorial Hospital to allow Black doctors on its staff. In the 1960s, when New Hanover County began the process to replace James Walker with what is now Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Eaton and other doctors sued to make sure the new facility would be open to Black doctors and Black patients.(Submitted on May 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Wilmington dedicates historical marker to Civil Rights leader Dr. Hubert Eaton Sr.
(5/1/2023) A crowd on North Third Street in front of the New Hanover County Courthouse before a ceremony to unveil the N.C. Civil Rights Trail Marker honoring late Wilmington Civil Rights pioneer Dr. Hubert Eaton Sr.(Submitted on May 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
3. Hubert Eaton Sr. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
