Lawrence Park in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Nelson

(1917-1959)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 2, 2015

1. John Nelson Marker

Inscription. Chief Steward & President, United Electrical Workers Union Local 506, 1942-1959. Accused of McCarthy-era Communist activity, he was the first union leader fired by General Electric, 1953. He defended workers’ civil liberties while UE represented him in court. He died prematurely at 42.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 42° 9.021′ N, 80° 0.919′ W. Marker is in Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 5) and Rankine Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Located at UE Local 506. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3923 Main St, Erie PA 16511, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. We Owe So Much To So Few (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Captain C. V. Gridley (approx. 1.7 miles away); King Pavilion (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bryan Bell Memorial Playground (approx. 1.9 miles away);

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Harborcreek Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); This Fireplace (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fighting for Peanuts: The Gauge War (approx. 2.2 miles away); Gifford-Blanchfield House (approx. 2.3 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. John W. Nelson at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 2, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. MarkerQuest - John Nelson. More information about the circumstances surrounding John Nelson's firing and subsequent death. (Submitted on November 11, 2021, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 2, 2015

2. John Nelson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.