Altavista in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Leonard Coleman Memorial Park

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

1. Leonard Coleman Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. This Town park is dedicated by the Altavista Town Council in the memory of Leonard Coleman (1924 - 2010) who was the first elected African American in Altavista's history to serve on Town Council (from 1980 - 1996) and as the Vice-Mayor (from 1992 - 1996). Mr. Coleman was a WWII veteran, employee of the U.S. Postal Service, local entrepreneur, a lifelong community servant, activist, and a loving husband and father.

In 1987, he was names Citizen of the Year by the Altavista Chamber of Commerce.

Erected by Town of Altavista.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.

Location. 37° 7.241′ N, 79° 17.585′ W. Marker is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It is at the intersection of School Street and 15th Street, on the right when traveling west on School Street. The Marker is located in Leonard Coleman Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altavista VA 24517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Piedmont

and 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: A different marker also named Leonard Coleman Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); John H. Mosley Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); War Memorial Building (approx. half a mile away); Route of Old "97" (approx. 0.6 miles away); War Memorial Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Purple Heart Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); General James Dearing (approx. ¾ mile away); Colonel Frank Board, MD (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altavista.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

2. Leonard Coleman Memorial Park Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

3. Leonard Coleman Memorial Park Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

4. Leonard Coleman Memorial Park Marker

Leonard Coleman Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

5. Leonard Coleman Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.