Northside in Chapel Hill in Orange County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hargraves

— NC Civil Rights Trail —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

1. Hargraves Marker

Inscription. Est. as community center for African Americans in 1945. Became key space for fellowship and organizing local civil rights activities.

Erected 2023 by NC African American Heritage Commission • William C. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the NC Civil Rights Trail, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 35° 54.764′ N, 79° 3.849′ W. Marker is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in Orange County. It is in Northside. Marker is on North Roberson Street, 0.1 miles north of West Rosemary Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 N Roberson St, Chapel Hill NC 27516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Navy B-1 Band (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Chapel Hill Nine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elizabeth Cotten (approx. 0.4 miles away); Journey of Reconciliation (approx. half a mile away); Kuralt Building (approx. half a mile away); University Florist (approx. half

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a mile away); Carolina Coffee Shop (approx. 0.6 miles away); Old Sawpit Site (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chapel Hill.

Also see . . . Hargraves Community Center/Hargraves Center/Roberson Street Center/Negro Community Center. The idea for the construction of a community center for African Americans originated due to the concerns of the local Negro Civic Club. The founders of the club noted the lack of a facility for black residents to socialize and participate in organized recreational activities. (Open Orange) (Submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

2. Hargraves Marker

Hargraves Community Center (past) image. Click for full size.

via From the Rock Wall, Marian Cheek Jackson Center (CC BY-SA 4.0), circa 1942

3. Hargraves Community Center (past)

Then known as the Negro Community Center, the B-1 Navy Band was stationed here. It was renamed in 1973 for William M. Hargraves, Jr., a former Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Commission member who died in an automobile accident.

Hargraves Community Center (present) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

4. Hargraves Community Center (present)

Today it offers a wide range of recreation facilities including a baseball/softball field, indoor & outdoor basketball courts, meeting rooms, picnic areas, and a playground.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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