"Around the Y" Historical Marker

This historical marker recognizes the African American community built in this area of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. “Around the Y” is the name of the area that developed around the nearby railroad. The shape created by the two tracks imitates the alphabetic letter “Y.”

"Around the Y" (originally called the "Wire") is an area in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, that developed around the nearby railroad. The community that settled and worked here was comprised of African Americans. The area is named for the "Y" shape formed by the two railroad tracks. They run parallel and then curve away from each other.

Many of the African American inhabitants of Rocky Mount, who initially settled in the area were the descendants of enslaved persons and faced Jim Crow segregation laws and the Great Depression. The “Y” was one of the communities where Black people could live, work, and socialize while the railroad created jobs for the people living near the “Y.” In addition to jobs connected to the railroad, the tobacco and cotton industries were also sources of employment. Despite the obstacles they faced, the community showed resilience and contributed greatly to Rocky Mount's economy. The historical marker here pays homage to the African American community and their important role in Rocky Mounts's history.

[1] Biewen, John. Digging Up Thelonious Monk's Southern Roots, NPR. October 10th 2007. Accessed December 8th 2020. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15159351.

[2] Harrell, Charles. Around the "Y" Community, The Historic Marker Database. May 11th 2016. Accessed December 9th 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=94563.