High Point in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Washington Terrace Park

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

1. Washington Terrace Park Marker

Inscription. Washington Terrace Park, formerly known as the Municipal Colored Park, opened June 10, 1938, to serve the African American citizens of High Point. Funds granted through the Federal New Deal Works Progress Administration were used to build a pavilion, bath house, showers and dressing rooms, plus a pool, tennis courts, ball fields and picnic areas over almost 30 acres. The cost for building the park was $116,000, and it was considered one of the finest Negro/African American parks in the country. During the park's days of segregation African Americans from near and far visited the park by the bus loads to enjoy the recreational amenities.

Erected by Yalik's African American Art & Cultural Movement • Washington Street Historic Preservation Society • Drive High Point Foundation • Visit High Point • City of High Point.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1938.

Location. 35° 58.032′ N, 79° 59.193′ W. Marker is in High Point, North Carolina, in Guilford County. Marker is at the intersection of Murray Street and Brooks Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Murray Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: High Point NC 27260, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. High Point University (approx. half a mile away); John Coltrane (approx. half a mile away); The Yadkin College Bell (approx. half a mile away); Yadkin College (approx. half a mile away); Jamestown Female College (approx. half a mile away); The Mahler Family Promenade (approx. half a mile away); Greenhill Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); High Point Normal and Industrial Institute (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in High Point.

Regarding Washington Terrace Park. Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nomination (prepared by Heather Fearnbach) for the nearby Washington Street Historic District:

One of High Point’s largest WPA-funded projects was the construction of a $100,000 park for the city’s African American residents. The facility, advertised as one of “the finest for colored people in the south,” encompassed tennis, basketball, baseball, and softball courts; picnic grounds; a swimming pool; a circular wading pool; and a bath house with showers, dressing rooms, the park’s administrative offices, and a second-story entertainment pavilion. Dr. J. A. Martin presided at the park’s June 10, 1938 dedication, when district WPA supervisor E. W. Cole formally presented the facility to the city. Dr. J. C. Morgan,
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

2. Washington Terrace Park Marker
who, along with educator Alfred J. Griffin and others formed the citizen’s committee that began advocating for the African American park in 1935, accepted the recreational facility on the community’s behalf.

… The park, originally called the “High Point Colored Park,” became officially known as Washington Terrace Park in December 1953 and is located at 1899 Brooks Avenue (east of the Washington Street Historic District). The City of High Point completely refurbished the facility in 1999.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.