Clay Arsenal in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Black Heroes in Hartford: Rev. Dr. Richard Battles
Civil Rights Leader, Advocate, Reverend
| | (1928 - 1980) | |
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023
1. Black Heroes in Hartford: Rev. Dr. Richard Battles Marker
Reverend Battles moved to Hartford in 1961, where he would serve as Pastor at Mt. Olive Church and work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
He swiftly rose to become a key figure in Hartford's civil rights movement. He was the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's regional director and he participated in the creation of Hartford's Congress of Racial Equality.
Battles also served on the Hartford Board of Education for four years, two of them as president.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Erected by Hartford Public Library.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 41° 47.021′ N, 72° 40.51′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Clay Arsenal. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Battles Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2137 Main St, Hartford CT 06120, United States of America.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Heroes in Hartford: Gwendolyn Clarke Reed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old North Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment (approx. 0.3 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour (approx. 0.4 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Judge Boce Barlow (approx. 0.4 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary A. Johnson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Marcus Camby (approx. half a mile away); History of the Tower (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.
Additional keywords. #HartfordBlackHeroes
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023
2. Black Heroes in Hartford: Rev. Dr. Richard Battles Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
