Central Harlem in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ethel Waters

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025

1. Ethel Waters Marker

Inscription.
580 St. Nicholas Av
Renowned star of the stage and screen, nominated for an Oscar and Emmy, Waters enjoyed an illustrious career

Erected by While We Are Still Here.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the While We Are Still Here series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1896.

Location. 40° 49.199′ N, 73° 56.794′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Central Harlem. It is at the intersection of Saint Nicholas Avenue and West 139th Street, on the right when traveling north on Saint Nicholas Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 580 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York NY 10030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

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,

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it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hamilton Grange (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Hamilton Grange (about 600 feet away); Hamilton Heights Historic District (about 600 feet away); Hamilton's Eden (about 600 feet away); Shepard Hall (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Hamilton's Eden (about 600 feet away); From Hamilton's Home to a National Memorial (about 600 feet away); Dorrance Brooks Square (about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Alexander Hamilton's House (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Ethel Waters (Wikipedia). Overview:

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American singer and actress. Waters
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025

2. Ethel Waters Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here in front of the red awning over the entrance of her former home.
frequently performed jazz, swing, and pop music on the Broadway stage and in concerts. She began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her notable recordings include "Dinah", "Stormy Weather", "Taking a Chance on Love", "Heat Wave", "Supper Time", "Am I Blue?", "Cabin in the Sky", "I'm Coming Virginia", and her version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". Waters was the second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award, the first African American to star on her own television show, and the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

(Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

2. Ethel Waters (1896-1977) (BlackPast). Excerpt:

In 1950, Ethel Waters was the first black American performer to star in her own regular television show, Beulah, but it was the 1961 role in the “Good Night, Sweet Blues” episode of the television series Route 66 that earned her an Emmy award. She was the first black so honored. Acting was a second career after singing in four different genres—jazz, blues, pop, and gospel. She performed on Broadway stages, the first black to receive top billing with white stars. And finally, she
Photographed by Wm. Morris Agency (via Wikimedia Commons), 1943

3. Ethel Waters publicity photo
claimed leading roles in Hollywood films, earning an Academy Award nomination for the film Pinky.

(Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

3. Ethel Waters - Underneath the Harlem Moon (1933) (Youtube, 3:31). (Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.