Waverly in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Waverly Five and Dime / George Elmore and Elmore v. Rice
Photographed By Anna Inbody, August 1, 2012
1. Waverly Five and Dime Marker
Waverly Five and Dime)
The Waverly Five & Dime, located here until about 1957, was managed 1945-48 by George A. Elmore (1905-1959), the African American plaintiff in a landmark voting rights case soon after World War II. Elmore ran this store and two liquor stores, and also worked as a photographer and cab driver. In 1946, when he tried to vote in the all-white Democratic primary in Richland County, he was denied a ballot.
George Elmore and Elmore v. Rice
In 1947 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sued to end the all-white primary in S.C. Judge J. Waties Waring (1880-1948) ruled in U.S. district court that it was “time for S.C. to rejoin the Union.” Blacks voted in the next S.C. primary, in 1948. As a result of the case, George Elmore endured numerous personal threats and economic reprisals that ruined his business
Erected 2012 by Historic Columbia Foundation, the City of Columbia, and the S.C. Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 40-145.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 34° 0.434′ N, 81° 0.895′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James M. Hinton House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Heidt - Russell House / Edwin R. Russell (about 500 feet away); St. Luke's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Matthew J. Perry House (approx. ¼ mile away); First Calvary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Harden Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Cyril O. Spann Medical Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Visanska-Starks House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
More about this marker. Although the marker states it was erected in 2008, it was not put in place until July 21, 2012.
Additional keywords. Waverly Five and Dime / George Elmore and Elmore v. Rice
Photographed By Anna Inbody, August 1, 2012
2. George Elmore and Elmore V. Rice Marker
Photographed By Anna Inbody, August 1, 2012
3. Overview
Photographed By Anna Inbody, August 1, 2012
4. Overview looking west
Photographed By Anna Inbody, August 1, 2012
5. Waverly Five and Dime / George Elmore and Elmore V. Rice Marker
The marker was erected on Saturday, July 21, 2012 and the building was demolished on the following Friday, July 27, 2012.
6. George A. Elmore
Photographed By Anna Inbody, September 3, 2011
7. George A. Elmore Marker
in Randolph Cemetery,which is in downtown Columbia, S.C.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, September 3, 2011
8. Inscription of George Elmore Marker
Sacred to the Memory of
George Elmore
who through unmatched
courage, perseverance, and
personal sacrifice brought
the legal action by which
black people may participate
in South Carolina democratic
party primary elections --
"Elmore vs. Rice," 1947
This memorial erected
June 21, 1981 by W.E.B., Inc.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, September 3, 2011
9. George A. Elmore's tombstone
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,813 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
