Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(Jan. 15, 1929 – Apr. 4, 1968)

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 16, 2024

1. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marker

Inscription. Led a national movement for civil rights. King preached of a “beloved community” where justice and quality are epitomized. Danville’s restraint of local demonstrations compelled King to focus the movement on the city. He publicly visited Danville at least three times in 1963 (March 26th, Danville City Auditorium, July 11th and November 15th, High Street Baptist Church), encouraged local nonviolent protests, and later proposed a global boycott of Dan River Mills. Preparation for the March on Washington, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and willingness of Danville authorities to grant modest concessions eventually diverted attention from the city. King’s national work led to dismantlement of the Southern “Jim Crow” system of racial segregation and passage of legislation for the advancement of civil rights for all.

“Wherever injustice is alive, it is a responsibility for people of good will to take a stand against it, for injustice anywhere is a treat to justice everywhere.” (MLK, 11 July 1963, Danville)

Plaque given by Torrey Donell Dixon, Danville Historical Society, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, NAACP, Rainbow Push Coalition, Abe Koplen Clothing, Kristopher Jason Gill, Tommy Reginald Bennett.

Erected 2008.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 36° 35.332′ N, 79° 23.338′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Main Street north of Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 Bridge Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper 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: The Garden Club of Danville's Centennial (a few steps from this marker); Dan River Inc. Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Wynne's Falls

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 9, 2024

2. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Dan River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Settlement of Danville (about 300 feet away); Japan Tobacco International (about 400 feet away); The World's Best Tobacco Market (about 400 feet away); Danville's Textile Industry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 9, 2024

3. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marker

Bridge Name Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 16, 2024

4. Bridge Name Plaque

Adjacent to the Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 9, 2024

5. Bridge Sign

Southern Entrance To The Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 9, 2024

6. Southern Entrance To The Bridge

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 9, 2024

7. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 11, 2024

8. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 31, 2025

9. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. King made several trips to Danville during the civil rights movement, shown as part of the Ruby B. Archie Library's black history month display.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 10, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on December 11, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 9. submitted on February 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.