Asheboro in Randolph County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sit-Ins for Civil Rights

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

1. Sit-Ins for Civil Rights Marker

Inscription. On January 27, 1964, 60 African Americans were arrested at Hop's Bar-B-Que and the Little Castle sandwich shop, part of the Sunset Theatre. These sit-ins were part of the national drive for integration and civil rights.

Erected by City of Asheboro, NC.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is January 27, 1964.

Location. 35° 42.354′ N, 79° 49.009′ W. Marker is in Asheboro, North Carolina, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and North Church Street, on the right when traveling west on Sunset Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Sunset Ave, Asheboro NC 27203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory

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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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Randolph County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Randolph County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jonathan Worth (approx. ¼ mile away); Plank Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cedar Falls Mill (approx. 4½ miles away); Pugh Family Business (approx. 4½ miles away); Henderson Luelling (approx. 4.7 miles away); Trading Path (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheboro.

Also see . . .
1. The Asheboro Sit-Ins. Melvin Benjamin Marley was a participant in a series of sit-ins that took place at businesses along Sunset Avenue that finally resulted in the desegregation of public eating establishments in Asheboro. (L. McKay Whatley, "Notes on the History of Randolph County, NC" blog) (Submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Sunset Theater Incident. A potential flashpoint

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

2. Sit-Ins for Civil Rights Marker

Hop's Bar-B-Q (background), one of the eateries where the sit-ins took place, remains in business to the present day.

during the weekslong Asheboro sit-in demonstrations happened at a movie theater. (L. McKay Whatley, "Notes on the History of Randolph County, NC" blog) (Submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.