Septima Poinsette Clark, Marker

Title

Septima Poinsette Clark, Marker

Biographical Text

Stone marker denoting that a portion of U.S. Highway 17 is dedicated to Clark.
This portion of the expressway is significant to the history of the African American community in Charleston. When the road was originally built, it divided historically black communities and did not allow for any pedestrian walkways. Although the marker (and later renaming of the expressway) was done as a gesture of good will, it has also been seen as an insult to a community still affected by the road.
The highway was officially renamed in the “Septima P. Clark Parkway, April 21, 2010, and street signs were altered.

Text

SEPTIMA P. CLARK
EXPRESSWAY
BY LEGISLATIVE ACT
IN 1978
NAMED IN HER HONOR
COMMUNITY LEADER
EDUCATOR
CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
DEDICATED 1978

Date Created

1978

Type

English Signage

Bibliographic Citation

Septima P. Clark Expressway, The Historical Marker Database

The Septima P. Clark Expressway and Park, Lowcountry Digital History Initiative

Project Researcher

Bysterbusch, Hailey