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

Thomas Calhoun Walker

(1862 - 1953)

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 18, 2008

1. Thomas Calhoun Walker Marker

Inscription. Here lived Thomas Calhoun Walker, the first black to practice law in Gloucester County and a civil rights spokesman who vigorously advocated education and land ownership for blacks. Mr. Walker was elected for two terms to Gloucester's Board of Supervisors, serving from 1891 to 1895. President William McKinley appointed him the Commonwealth's first black collector of customs in 1893. He became the only black to hold statewide office in President Roosevelt's Works Project Administration when he was appointed Consultant and Advisor on Negro Affairs in 1934.

Erected 1986 by Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. (Marker Number NW-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 37° 24.772′ N, 76° 31.326′ W. Marker is in Gloucester, Virginia, in Gloucester County. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at the intersection of Business US 17 and Calhoun Street, on the left when traveling south on Business US 17. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gloucester VA 23061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Restoration of the Edge Hill Service Station (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Trust Your Car to the Man Who Wears the Star" (about 500 feet away); Welcome to the Edge Hill Service Station (about 500 feet away); Traveling Gloucester (about 500 feet away); Texaco Gas Pumps, c. 1930s (about 500 feet away); People & Personalities of Edge Hill (about 500 feet away); Gloucester Downtown Historic District (about 500 feet away); History of the Edge Hill Intersection (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester.

Also see . . . The Thomas Calhoun Walker House. (Submitted on May 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Main St (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2010

2. Main St (facing west)

Home of Thomas Calhoun Walker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 18, 2008

3. Home of Thomas Calhoun Walker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,513 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.