Greenville in Pitt County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Block

African-American Cultural Trail Greenville-Pitt County

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 17, 2024

1. The Block Marker

Inscription. A section of Albemarle Avenue was called "The Block." It comprised approximately a city block and a half in length and housed many black businesses. There were a few freestanding buildings in the area that were associated with "The Block."

"The Block was one of the main attractions in the city. We got out, we'd be going to The Block. That place was lit up. That's what you did. They had the theatre, the restaurants, and barber shops." - E.H. Eaton

"It was famous all over the world from all the soldiers in Europe. They'd hear .you were from Greenville and want to know about The Block." - Millard Bell

(captions)
The Block, circa 1954
Grant Bell Cafe, 604 Albemarle Ave.
City Cab Company, 600 Albemarle Ave.
The Roxy Theatre, 629 Albemarle Ave.
D.D. Garrett and his wife Clotea on December 5, 1988. Taking the oath of office as the first Black County Commissioner in Pitt County.
Images courtesy of Special Collections, East Carolina University

Erected by Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 35° 36.607′ N,

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77° 22.814′ W. Marker is in Greenville, North Carolina, in Pitt County. It is on Albemarle Avenue north of Carolina Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located across the street from Greenville Theatre Arts Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 618 Albemarle Ave, Greenville NC 27834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

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: Baptist State Convention (approx. 0.4 miles away); Robert Lee Humber (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas J. Jarvis (approx. 0.4 miles away); Arts & Culture (approx. 0.4 miles away);

Greenville Theatre Arts Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 17, 2024

2. Greenville Theatre Arts Center

Across the street from "The Block" marker. Theater was formerly "The Roxy Theatre"

a different marker also named Thomas J. Jarvis (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Patriotic Commemoration (approx. half a mile away); Early Black Health Professionals (approx. half a mile away); Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . . African American Cultural Trail of Greenville-Pitt County. (Submitted on July 18, 2024.)

Barber shop on the left, formerly Grant Bell Cafe on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 17, 2024

3. Barber shop on the left, formerly Grant Bell Cafe on the right

as referred to in the marker

600 Albemarle Ave., former City Cab Company building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 17, 2024

4. 600 Albemarle Ave., former City Cab Company building

as referred to in the captions

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 18, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.