Southeast Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Growing Up
| — | General Daniel “Chappie” James Museum of Pensacola | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
1. Growing Up Marker
In the 1920s, Pensacola was in the midst of strict segregationist policies. What once was a diverse and accepting community became more and more fractured along racial lines during the 20th century. 'Separate but equal' resulted in massive economic, political, and social disparities for Black Americans. This area, known as the Eastside Neighborhood, was a predominately African American area of town.
Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. was born in Pensacola on February 11, 1920. One of 17 children, he was the youngest son of Daniel and Lillie James. Though most of his siblings had moved out by the time he arrived, James grew up playing with neighbors and family members in this tight-knit community.
As a young child, he attended his mother's school which afforded him an excellent education along with fierce determination. After high school, James earned a football scholarship to Tuskegee Institute. His time at school was well spent. Though ultimately expelled due to too many 'escapades,' he was still allowed to enter the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the school, earning his pilot's license in March 1942.
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this page online
Erected 2024 by Chappie James Museum of Pensacola.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1920.
Location. 30° 25.809′ N, 87° 12.795′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in Southeast Pensacola. It is on Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive (Florida Route 291) just north of East Moreno Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is in General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1606 Doctor M.L.K Jr Drive, Pensacola FL 32503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the
Courtesy US Air Force
2. Marker detail: Tuskegee Institute Class
James attended the Tuskegee Institute, where he graduated from the Civilian Pilot Training Program. This 1942 photo shows cadets in class, likely his school mates.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reach for the Stars (here, next to this marker); General Daniel James, Jr. (here, next to this marker); “Thou Shalt Not Quit” (a few steps from this marker); Early Military Career (a few steps from this marker); Living in Eastside (a few steps from this marker); History in Place (a few steps from this marker); General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); E.S. Cobb Center (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park
Also see . . .
1. Trail Preserves Pensacola's Eastside Black History (WUWF.org).
(by Sandra Averhart, 2/23/2021) Excerpt: Pensacola has a varied and deep cultural(Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)heritage, from its Native American and Spanish colonial roots to its African-American history. For Black History Month, WUWF is digging into the archives for a tour of the Black History Trail in the City’s Eastside Neighborhood. Initially, the trail highlighted 10 sites, two of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. “Probably our most well-known is the birthplace and early school site of Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James, who was the first four-star African-American General for our nation. He was a Tuskegee Airman and he was one of the instructors for the famed 99th Squadron.” The site in the 1600 block of Doctor M.L.K Jr Drive is now home to the General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Museum and Flight Academy.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20253. Growing Up MarkerLooking south through General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park.
2. About Chappie (Chappie James Museum of Pensacola).
Excerpt: Daniel James Jr. was born on February 11, 1920, in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated from high school in 1937 and went on to college at the Tuskegee Institute, a famous African-American school. During college, James, nicknamed "Chappie," became interested in flying and(Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)became a pilot through the Civilian Pilot Training Program. After completing the program, he stayed on as an instructor. Facing many obstacles, including the racial prejudices of the times, James fought for a place at military flight school. Passing the required tests with ease, he completed his training in 1943. During World War II, he served primarily as an instructor, teaching other African Americans in the 99th Pursuit Squadron.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20254. General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial ParkLooking east through the memorial park on the south side of the Chappie James Museum of Pensacola. This marker is the third of three interpretive panels on the right/south side of the park.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
