Near Charleston in Mississippi County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Site of the Sharecroppers Strike of 1939
Historical Sharecroppers Demonstration of 1939
Photographed by Michael Manning, October 4, 2014
1. Site of the Sharecroppers Strike of 1939 Marker
Rev. Owen Whitfield with the support of local landowner, Mr. Thad Snow, and 1500 black and white sharecroppers camped here in harsh January weather several days in 1939 to protest the plight of Boot Heel sharecroppers. The event received national attention. Owen and Zella Whitfield met with Pres. Roosevelt and ultimately received his support for the cause. This community has dedicated January 10 as Thad Snow - Owen Whitfield Day.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 55.32′ N, 89° 16.249′ W. Marker was near Charleston, Missouri, in Mississippi County. It was on U.S. 60, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Charleston MO 63834, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Missouri Bootheel. It was also in the American Mississippi Delta, in the Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Missouri Sharecropper Strike of 1939 (here, next to this marker); Mississippi County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mississippi County War Memorial
this page online
More about this marker. Marker was later replaced with this one.
Also see . . .
1. Thad Snow Papers. This is a PDF link to The State Historical Society of Missouri on Thad Snow. Very little information can be found about him other than book reviews. This PDF gives a good account of his life. (Submitted on September 18, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
2. Owen Whitfield. Alchetron entry:
Website with pictures of Owen Whitfield and details on his life. (Submitted on September 19, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
3. The Whitfield Legacy. The Whitfield Foundation entry (Submitted on February 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Michael Manning, October 4, 2014
2. Historical Sharecroppers Demonstration of January 1939
Photographed by Leah Tibbs, August 26, 2018
3. 2018-Site of the Sharecroppers Strike of 1939 Marker
How the site looks as of 2018 much has grown.
Photographed by David Tibbs, August 26, 2018
4. Site of the Sharecroppers Strike of 1939 Marker
Another view showing how the site has grown.
via Pinterest, unknown
5. Rev. Owen Whitfield
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,764 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 5. submitted on February 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.
