Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Black Political Activism in Charles City

Photographed by Kathy Dennehey, May 26, 2024

1. Black Political Activism in Charles City Marker

Inscription. In 1959, Ebony magazine identified Charles City as "Virginia's Model County," recognizing years of political activism by its majority-Black population. Edward T. Banks and the local Civic League had mobilized Black residents since the 1940 to pay poll taxes and register to vote despite Virginias restrictions on Black suffrage. Banks was elected to the Board of Supervisors In 195l. Every county board and commission had a Black member by 1960. In 1985, local NAACP leader Richard Bowman flied a federal lawsuit seeking school desegregation. In 1967 James N. Bradby and Iona W. Adkine became Virginias first Block citizens In the modern era to be elected sheriff and clerk of court, respectively.

Erected 2022 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-57.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 37° 20.621′ N, 77° 4.269′ W. Marker is in Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City

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County. It is at the intersection of Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 644) and John Tyler Memorial Highway ( Route 5), on the right when traveling north on Courthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10600 Courthouse Rd, Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Charles City Court House (a few steps from this marker); Isaac Brandon Lynched, 6 April 1892 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); America’s 3rd Oldest Courthouse (about 700 feet away); John Tyler (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Three Courthouse Essentials (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eye Witness to a Revolution (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Charles City C. H. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2024, by Kathy Dennehey of Newport News, Virginia. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 31 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 5, 2024, by Kathy Dennehey of Newport News, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A clearer photo of the marker. • A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?