Monroe in Union County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Robert F. Williams

1925-1996

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

1. Robert F. Williams Marker

Inscription. Black civil rights leader. Advocate for armed self-defense. He broadcast “Radio Free Dixie,” 1961 - 1965, from exile in Cuba. Birthplace was ½ mile S.

Erected 2023 by North Carolina Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number L-119.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 34° 59.578′ N, 80° 32.322′ W. Marker is in Monroe, North Carolina, in Union County. It is at the intersection of West Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. 74/601) and Boyte Street, on the right when traveling east on West Roosevelt Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1013 W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe NC 28110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

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,

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and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory 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 walking distance of this marker: T. Walter Bickett (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ferdinand Foch (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Charters of Freedom (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union County Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union County Confederate Pensioners of Color Memorial (approx. one mile away); World War I Memorial (approx. one mile away); Monroe Rotary Club (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.

Also see . . . Williams, Robert Franklin. His actions, thinking, and writing on the subject of armed resistance were revolutionary and anticipated and contributed to the Black Power movement that grew in the late 1960s. (By Jordan Scott and Kelly Agan, Government & Heritage Library, 2019; via NCpedia) (Submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

2. Robert F. Williams Marker

Robert Franklin Williams (1925-1996) image. Click for full size.

University of Michigan News and Information Services (CC BY 4.0), 1971

3. Robert Franklin Williams (1925-1996)

As president of the NAACP chapter in Monroe, he succeeded in desegregating the local public library and swimming pool. He also established a rifle club to help protect African Americans from the Ku Klux Klan. However, his militancy often put him at odds with other Civil Rights leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 696 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.