Green Bay in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Blanche Kelso Bruce

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

1. Blanche Kelso Bruce Marker

Inscription. Blanche Kelso Bruce, African American political leader, was born into slavery south of here on 1 Mar. 1841. He grew up in Virginia, Mississippi, and Missouri before escaping slavery during the Civil War. In 1869 Bruce moved back to Mississippi and became active in local and state politics. In Feb. 1874, the Mississippi legislature elected him to the U.S. Senate. Bruce was the first black to serve a full term in the Senate (1875-1881). After completing his term in office, he held several political positions in Washington, D.C. He died on 17 Mar. 1898 in Washington, D.C., and was interred there in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-35.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1874.

Location. 37° 8.16′ N, 78° 18.699′ W. Marker is in Green Bay, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. It is at the intersection of Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) and Tower

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Road (County Route 623), on the right when traveling west on Patrick Henry Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Green Bay VA 23942, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper 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 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: CCC Company 1390 (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Christian Day School (approx. 3.1 miles away); Twin Lakes State Park (approx. 3.3 miles away); Pushing the Boundaries (approx. 3.4 miles away); Prince Edward State Park: A Refuge of Freedom (approx. 3.4

Patrick Henry Hwy & Tower Rd (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

2. Patrick Henry Hwy & Tower Rd (facing west)

miles away); Prince Edward State Park for Negroes (approx. 3½ miles away); Meherrin Station (approx. 3.8 miles away); a different marker also named Prince Edward State Park for Negroes (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Green Bay.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Christian Day School (was approx. 3.1 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841-1898). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (Submitted on May 23, 2010.)

2. Blanche Kelso Bruce. United States Senate (Submitted on May 23, 2010.)

Hon. Blanche Kelso Bruce of Mississippi image. Click for full size.

circa 1880

3. Hon. Blanche Kelso Bruce of Mississippi

Library of Congress [LC-BH832- 30088]

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,454 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.