Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The Block

By PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

1. The Block Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Heart of the black community, area was the center for black business, education, religion, and social life but also had Greek, Italian, Lebanese and Syrian businesses. Many local black leaders had ties to the area, which declined due to 1960s urban renewal and interstate system. Named first local historic district in 2011, the 25-acre area has five National Register sites.

Erected 2013 by Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2011.

Location. 38° 21.004′ N, 81° 37.828′ W. Marker is in Charleston, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. Marker is on Shrewsbury Street north of Washington Street East (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in the parking lot of the Best Western Charleston Plaza Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Washington Street East, Charleston WV 25301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Wide view of The Block Marker image. Click for full size.

By PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

2. Wide view of The Block Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); State Capitol (approx. 0.2 miles away); Temple Israel - 1873 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Battle of Charleston (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Gas Well (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Clendenin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Lee (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Blizzard (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . .
1. West Virginia Center for African - American Art & Culture: The Block Historic District. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
2. Elizabeth Harden Gilmore House - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
3. Mattie V. Lee House - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
4. Garnet High School - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
5. Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
6. Samuel Starks House - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
7. The Charleston Gazette | Charleston remembers 'The Block,' the heart of its black community

Garnet High School image. Click for full size.

By PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

3. Garnet High School

This building added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, is one of five listed properties in "The Block" historic district.

. (Submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

By PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

4. Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church

This building added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, is one of five listed properties in "The Block" historic district.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the Elizabeth Harden Gilmore House, Mattie V. Lee House and Samuel Starks House • Can you help?