In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Second oldest active African Methodist Episcopal Zion church in Wilson. Former sanctuary stood here on land purchased in 1909 from Rev. O.L.W. Smith, former consul to Liberia and A.M.E.Z. presiding elder.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
HOLDEN SCHOOL
Originally one-room school for white students; converted to Black school circa 1921. Located near Mill Branch west of Holdens Crossroads. Building replaced with Rosenwald funds in early 1920s. Closed in 1951 with consolidation of rural schools. Demolished.
We know relatively little about Holden School, but for more, see here and here and here.
In this series, which posts on occasional Wednesdays, I usually populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture. This time, I imagine a mural to commemorate the life of Samuel H. Vick.
Vick’s controversial service as postmaster of Wilson thrust him onto the national stage. Though Wilson’s handsome old Neo-Classical post office was erected long after his tenure, its Douglas Street facade is a fitting place for a tribute to Sam Vick.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Boycotted school to protest abuse of Black teacher Mary C. Euell in 1918, then taught at alternative Wilson Normal & Industrial Institute. In 1928, launched renowned stage and movie career in New York City spanning decades. In 1920s, lived at 332 S. Spring [now Douglas] Street.
Detail from 1925 Sanborn map of Wilson showing house in which Georgia Burke boarded.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
SEARS HOUSE
Mail-order kit house sold by Sears, Roebuck & Co. from 1908 to 1940. This house, built about 1934, is the only known Sears house in East Wilson. The Barrington model was two stories, with six rooms and one bathroom and shingle siding.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Opened 1928 by Greek immigrant George C. Woller for an African-American audience. Featured motion pictures, musical and theatrical acts; hosted fundraisers for black schools and hospital. Badly damaged in fire in December 1932; did not reopen.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
GRIFFIN HILL
With adjacent New Grabneck community, developed circa 1920 for black landowners displaced from Grabneck community on W. Nash St. by real estate developers. In late 1950s, area cleared for low-income housing project for white residents.
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Griffin Hill was two long blocks running between present-day Parkview and Jefferson Streets west of Hominy Swamp.
Wilson Daily Times, 18 November 1959.
Wilson Daily Times, 23 June 1961.
As seen via Google Maps, Griffin Hill today is largely occupied by the Forrest Road Homes housing project.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
WILLIAMSON HIGH SCHOOL
African-American merchant-farmer Paul T. Williamson donated the land on which the Wilson County School Board built a six-room high school to serve black students in southwestern Wilson County. Williamson High School opened in 1941. Merged with new Springfield H.S. in 1951.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Original site of First Missionary Baptist Church. Wilson Chapel formed in 1910; bought frame church here in 1915. Destroyed by fire in 1922, and larger frame church built. Replaced for current brick building in 1958.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2025.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Also known as Kirby’s or Boyette’s School. Three-room school stood near St. Delight Original Free Will Baptist Church, facing railroad. Constructed with Rosenwald funds ca. 1920; probably replaced an older building.
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[Sidenote: Hoping to get a sense of where Kirby’s Crossing School stood, I turned into the narrow unpaved track leading road leading to Saint Delight. A man working on the church’s front porch said his wife’s family might know about the school, but he wasn’t as familiar with the area because he was from Stantonsburg. I studied his face a bit, then commented, “I have family from near there. You favor them — they’re Artises.” He rared back a little: “That’s my name!” In fact, he is a grandson of Leslie and Minnie Diggs Artis and a great-grandson of my great-great-grandmother Louvicey Artis Aldridge’s brother Napoleon Artis!]
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2025.