Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John Wilmer Porter

Photographed by Kevin W., May 15, 2024

1. John Wilmer Porter Marker

Inscription. Born October 12, 1915, John Wilmer Porter was raised in the Batestown neighborhood of Dumfries. After attending the Cabin Branch School, he was hired at a local car dealership and became skilled in auto body repair. In 1945, after a wartime job with the Navy, and marriage to Mary Glaze, he opened his own shop in Dumfries. Porter Brothers Auto Body Shop thrived for 35 years. In 1962, Wilmer was encouraged to run, was elected, and re-elected 10 times to a Dumfries Town Council seat. He became the first black person voted onto a municipal governing body in Virginia since Reconstruction. He served Dumfries for 19 years with honesty, integrity, and compassion until his retirement in 1980. Wilmer earned the respect of the entire community which continued long after his death on April 24, 2001. On May 15, 2018. the new Dumfries Town Hall was named the John Wilmer Porter Municipal Building in his honor.

Erected 2021 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 38° 33.974′ N, 77° 19.82′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Batestown Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 17875 Batestown Rd, Dumfries VA 22026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Prince William Resolves (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Prince William County Court House (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Prince William Resolves (about 700 feet away); Dumfries Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Weems-Botts House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mason Locke Weems and George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Grayson Bandstand Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Weems-Botts House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dumfries.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 15, 2024

2. John Wilmer Porter Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 569 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.