Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rock Hill's Civil Rights Giant
Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025
1. Rock Hill's Civil Rights Giant Marker
"jail has become glorious work the symbol of sacrifice we have to pay for first class citizenship"
Rev. Cecil Ivory
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Reverend Cecil A. Ivory led the way as an inspiration and initiator of Rock Hill's civil rights movement. Ivory served as pastor of Hermon Presbyterian Church and as President of the Rock Hill chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1953 until his death in 1961. A successful bus boycott led by Rev. Ivory in 1957 placed Rock Hill in the national spotlight. Willing to put his own life on the line, Rev. Ivory was twice arrested for his social justice efforts. Undeterred, he continued to push the civil rights movement forward becoming a well-known advisor to the student-led sit-in movement.
(caption) Photo courtesy of the Cecil A. Ivory family and Winthrop University's Louise Peltus Archives
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 34° 55.536′ N, 81° 1.607′ W. Marker is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in York County. It can be reached from East Main Street west of Hampton
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Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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: Rock Hill's Sit-in Movement (here, next to this marker); Jail, No Bail! (here, next to this marker); The Dalton Building (here, next to this marker); McCrory's Civil Rights Sit-ins / "Friendship Nine" (a few steps from this marker); Village of Rock Hill / City of Rock Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); From Mall To Main (within shouting distance of this marker); Winthrop's Black Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Walkway (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hill.
More about this marker. The location of this marker and two others at the entryway of Kounter is at the former McCrory's Five and Dime, location of the initial sit-ins in Rock Hill. A larger exhibit of the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement in Rock Hill is inside to the left.
Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025
2. Rock Hill's Civil Rights Giant Marker under the entryway to Kounter Restaurant
Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025
3. Civil Rights Giant Marker in the center of 2 others markers at the entryway to Kounter Restaurant.
Kounter Restaurant is on the right, an exhibit of the civil rights movement in Rock Hill is on the left
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
