Lake City in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park

Dr. Ronald McNair Memorial Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, May 11, 2023

1. Dr. Ronald McNair Memorial Park Marker

Inscription.

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park. . , History of the Park , The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park was officially dedicated on April 29, 1995. The Memorial Park is the results of planning which began in 1989 as a joint collaboration of the Ron McNair Committee, the City of Lake City and the Lake City Library Board. The building of the monument with aa Scroll of Honor was completed in 1994, the bronze statue of Ronald was completed in 1995, and a platform was constructed for both the wall monument and statue in 1995. Later developments and expansions included the addition of the Memorial Park identification sign in 1998 and the relocation of his tomb to a permanent site in the park in 2004. The original burial site was located five miles west of Lake City in the Rest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. In 2004, the Mausoleum and Mastaba with an "eternal flame" was dedicated. This move brought together a cadre of physical reminder of the achievements and values of Dr. Ronald E. McNair. The final project will be the construction of the Space Museum and Learning Center., The Man , Ronald was born on October 21, 1950. His talents, determination, and drive were recognized early in his life. The entire family structure encouraged and supported his determination and provided frequent reminders of the value of education and a strong faith in God. Ronald established an identity as an exemplary family man and an exceptional achiever., The Astronaut , Ronald graduated from Carver High School, Lake City, South Carolina, in 1967; received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976; presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from North Carolina A&T State University in 1978, an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Morris College in 1980, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of South Carolina in 1984. Equipped with impressive credentials and special honors, he was prepared for the challenge of NASA. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978. He flew his first mission on STS-41B on February, 1984.

History of the Park
The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park was officially dedicated on April 29, 1995. The Memorial Park is the results of planning which began in 1989 as a joint collaboration of the Ron McNair Committee, the City of Lake City and the Lake City Library Board. The building of the monument with aa Scroll of Honor was completed in 1994, the bronze statue of Ronald was completed in 1995, and a platform was constructed for both the wall monument and statue in 1995. Later developments and expansions included the addition of the Memorial Park identification sign in 1998 and the relocation of his tomb to a permanent site in the park in 2004. The original burial site was located five miles west of Lake City in the Rest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. In 2004, the Mausoleum and Mastaba with an "eternal flame" was dedicated. This move brought together a cadre of physical reminder of the achievements and values of Dr. Ronald E. McNair. The final project will be the construction of the Space Museum and Learning Center.

The Man
Ronald was born on October 21, 1950. His talents, determination, and drive were recognized

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early in his life. The entire family structure encouraged and supported his determination and provided frequent reminders of the value of education and a strong faith in God. Ronald established an identity as an exemplary family man and an exceptional achiever.

The Astronaut
Ronald graduated from Carver High School, Lake City, South Carolina, in 1967; received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976; presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from North Carolina A&T State University in 1978, an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Morris College in 1980, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of South Carolina in 1984. Equipped with impressive credentials and special honors, he was prepared for the challenge of NASA. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978. He flew his first mission on STS-41B on February, 1984.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration

Photographed by Dave W, May 11, 2023

2. Dr. Ronald McNair Memorial Park Marker

• Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is October 21, 1950.

Location. 33° 52.242′ N, 79° 45.097′ W. Marker is in Lake City, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and Singletary Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 227 E Main St, Lake City SC 29560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep 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 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: Ronald E. McNair (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitehead Infirmary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lake City (about 400 feet away); Church Street / Main Street

Photographed by Dave W, May 11, 2023

3. Dr. Ronald McNair Memorial Park Marker

Dr. Ronald E. McNair - Hometown Astronaut - April 14, 1984

(about 500 feet away); Lake City Produce Markets / Lake City Bean Market (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Lake City (about 600 feet away); 139 & 141 E. Main St. (about 700 feet away); 137 East Main Street (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Also see . . . Lake City, SC Site.

This moving tribute to Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the Lake City-born astronaut who perished in the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion in 1986, is being developed into a space and technology center dedicated to helping students learn math and science.

(Submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)

Photographed by Dave W, May 11, 2023

4. Dr. Ronald McNair Memorial Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.