Gaffney in Cherokee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dr. Clarence L. Norris 1888-1946

1888-1946

— Founder of Black Business District —

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 20, 2024

1. Dr. Clarence L. Norris 1888-1946 Marker

Inscription.

Dr. Clarence L. Norris 1888-1946. Dr. Norris was born in Kingstree, S.C. to George and Arnette Norris., Upon his arrival to Gaffney in 1914, he was one of the first Black Physicians to serve the community., Dr. Norris served as President of the Piedmont Section of the Palmetto Medical Association, Chairman of the Negro Red Cross, and President of the Cherokee County Burial Aide Society. He also organized the Friendly Aide Society., Dr. Norris made a significant contribution to the Black community of Gaffney when he purchased 65 acres of land, a portion of which is located on the comer of East Meadow and Petty Streets., The night before he passed, a delegation of colored citizens, headed by Dr. C.L. Norris along with Dr. George W. Glymph, appeared before City Council to ask that a colored policeman be employed to patrol the colored section of the city. The request was taken under advisement., The morning of his death, he was inspecting construction of the Meadow Street property. After returning home, Dr. Norris passed at the age of fifty-eight., Historical Overview of Glymph Memorial Garden , The Glymph Memorial Garden is a tribute to the success and struggles of Blacks in the city of Gaffney, S.C. As you walk along the pathway, you will encounter concrete seats that invade the sidewalks as symbols of the barriers that Blacks experienced in their historic journey., Council Votes to Hire Two Negro Police Officers , (NOTE: The above headline and story below is how the hiring of Bridges and Petty appeared in The Gaffney Ledger on May, 6, 1954.), Gaffney's City Council Tuesday night elected two negro part-time police officers, first in the history of the municipality., The officers, who will begin their duties Friday, will serve on the 90 day trial basis. They will be assigned to the colored section of the city on Friday and Saturdays., Elected were: Eugene Petty, 34-year-old army veteran who is a teacher at the Cherokee Springs in Spartanburg County: and Pon Freeman Bridges, 29, an attendant at a local filling station. Bridges is a navy veteran., Ward 6 Alderman William E. Ross introduced the motion to hire the two policemen at a salary of 75 cents an hour. Mayor L. Marion Wood and all other members of the council voted in favor of the motion with the exception of Ward 1 Alderman Paul C. Guthrie.

Dr. Norris was born in Kingstree, S.C. to George and Arnette Norris.

Upon his arrival to Gaffney in 1914, he was one of the first Black Physicians to serve the community.

Dr. Norris served as President of the Piedmont Section of the Palmetto Medical Association, Chairman of the Negro Red Cross, and President of the Cherokee County Burial Aide Society. He also organized the Friendly Aide Society.

Dr. Norris made a significant contribution to the Black community of Gaffney when he purchased 65 acres of land, a portion of which is located on the comer of East Meadow and Petty Streets.

The night before he passed, a delegation of colored citizens, headed by Dr. C.L. Norris along with Dr. George W. Glymph, appeared before City Council to ask that a colored policeman be employed to patrol the colored section of the city. The request was taken under advisement.

The morning of his death, he was inspecting construction of the Meadow Street property. After returning home, Dr. Norris passed at the age of fifty-eight.

Historical Overview of Glymph Memorial Garden
The Glymph Memorial Garden is a tribute to the success and struggles of Blacks in the city of Gaffney, S.C. As you walk along the pathway, you will encounter concrete seats that invade the sidewalks as symbols of

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the barriers that Blacks experienced in their historic journey.

Council Votes to Hire Two Negro Police Officers
(NOTE: The above headline and story below is how the hiring of Bridges and Petty appeared in The Gaffney Ledger on May, 6, 1954.)

Gaffney's City Council Tuesday night elected two negro part-time police officers, first in the history of the municipality.

The officers, who will begin their duties Friday, will serve on the 90 day trial basis. They will be assigned to the colored section of the city on Friday and Saturdays.

Elected were: Eugene Petty, 34-year-old army veteran who is a teacher at the Cherokee Springs in Spartanburg County: and Pon Freeman Bridges, 29, an attendant at a local filling station. Bridges is a navy veteran.

Ward 6 Alderman William E. Ross introduced the motion to hire the two policemen at a salary of 75 cents an hour. Mayor L. Marion Wood and all other members of the council voted in favor of the motion with the exception of Ward 1 Alderman Paul C. Guthrie.

Erected 2023.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location.

Council Votes to Hire Two Negro Officers (lower right panel) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 20, 2024

2. Council Votes to Hire Two Negro Officers (lower right panel)

(The above headline and story below was how the hiring of Bridges and Petty appeared in The Gaffney Ledger May 6, 1954) Hiring was in response to the passing of Dr. Norris

35° 4.422′ N, 81° 38.843′ W. Marker is in Gaffney, South Carolina, in Cherokee County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Doctor L M Rosemond Lane and Courthouse Alley, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 E Dr L M Rosemond Ln, Gaffney SC 29341, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Foothills. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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: Mr. Clarence Lawrence Glymph, Sr. (here, next to this marker); Foster's Funeral Home (a few steps from this marker); Segregation of Libraries in the Jim Crow South (within shouting distance of this marker); Clarence Lawrence Glymph, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Capri Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michael Gaffney Home (about 300 feet away); Cherokee County WW I Rememberence (about 400 feet away); 09.11.2001 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaffney.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 20, 2024

3. Dr. Clarence L. Norris 1888-1946 Marker

Located in front of the Glymph Memorial Garden Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.