Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Woolworth's Sit In

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025

1. Woolworth's Sit In Marker

Inscription. On July 26, 1960, a group of black youths sat at the lunch counter in Woolworth's, a chainvdepartment store once located at this site, as abdemonstration against the store's all-white policy for lunch counter service. The demonstration occurred the day after Spartanburg City Council passed a proclamation against sit-ins. The sit-in at the Spartanburg Woolworth's initiated a series of civil rights protests in Spartanburg throughout the week including further sit-ins at Woolworth's and Kress's lunch counters.

Erected by Leadership Spartanburg Class of 2015.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1960.

Location. 34° 56.988′ N, 81° 55.86′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Church Street (U.S. 221), on the left when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 E Main St, Spartanburg SC 29306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate.

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: Palmetto Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Buck Trent/David Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Hank Garland/Johnny Blowers (within shouting

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distance of this marker); 101 East Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Pink Anderson/The Marshall Tucker Band (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Rosa H. Gantt (about 300 feet away); Rev. Julius Cheeks / Gianna Rolandi (about 300 feet away); To Honor the Memory of These Men (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025

2. Woolworth's Sit In Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.