Historical marker approved for Suffolk community founded by former enslaved man
SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) recently approved a state historical marker to highlight a community in Suffolk founded by a formerly enslaved man.
The marker is set to be unveiled on Wednesday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. at 4300 Judah Lane, which is located at the intersection of Judah Lane and Townpoint Road.
The marker aims to educate the public about the community of Belleville, which is said to have originated in 1896 after William Saunders Crowdy, who escaped slavery during the American Civil war, established the Church of God and Saints of Christ in Kansas. In 1903, Crowdy purchased 40-acres of land in Suffolk, which eventually became the international headquarters of the church. The community of Belleville developed around the church in the 1920s.
According to a release, at the community's peak, it encompassed over 700-acres and included farms, a school, a home for widows and orphans, stores, an electric plant, a music hall and athletic facilities. Although Crowdy himself died in 1908, the church persists today and is known as an African American Judaic organization.
The Virginia DHR approved the marker in June of 2023, and the manufacturing costs were covered by the Church of God and Saints of Christ at Temple Beth El in Suffolk.
For more information on state historical markers, click here.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
USS Gettysburg returns to Naval Station Norfolk after 8-month deployment
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – After an 8-month deployment, USS Gettysburg, part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, has returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. Bittersweet homecoming for USS Harry S. Truman The Ticonderoga class cruiser departed in September 2024, traveling to Europe and the Middle East to conduct combat operations in the Red Sea, as well as exercises with NATO allies. 'It was amazing in a lot of ways. We learned a lot. We have a lot to share with the fleet based off our experience in the Red Sea in particular, but the feeling to be home as well, it's amazing,' said Captain John Lucas, Commanding Officer of USS Gettysburg. Retired naval aviator shares insight on 'friendly fire' incident in the Red Sea The ship was in headlines back in December following an instance of friendly fire, shooting down a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet over the Red Sea. 'It's under investigation, those results have not been revealed yet to the public. I can tell you again, we took on a lot of lessons from that event,' said Captain Lucas. After the deployment was extended twice, families of the roughly 330 returning sailors gathered along the pier at Naval Station Norfolk to welcome their loved ones home. 'It's a very long time. We're kind of used to it. We have another child in the military, so we've been down this road. But this is her first time having been gone so this long, so it was tough. We're going to take her home and whatever she wants to do is what she wants to do. It's her break, with us along for the ride,' said Carrie Ayd, mother of returning sailor. Captain Lucas said while the Navy is retiring certain cruisers, he's not certain what the future holds for USS Gettysburg, but said he and his crew will be ready when called upon. 'I think we're all ready for a nice long winter nap in the summer. All I can tell you is my job and this crew's job is going to be to be ready to go again when called upon, whenever that might be. I'm excited to maintain and be a part of the team for as long as they'll have me,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ashland's Juneteenth celebration brings history to life with local stories
The Ashland County Historical Society will host its second annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at 420 Center St., Ashland. This year marks the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. The celebration aims to educate attendees about Ashland County's role during the American Civil War and the fight for freedom, according to an announcement. The event will feature living historians sharing firsthand accounts from mid-19th century residents who contributed to the understanding of liberty. Attendees can learn about the Underground Railroad, Union recruitment by Colonel James Garfield, and stories of local figures like Seth Barber and Gilbert Locke, a freedman who settled in Hayesville. A free community picnic will be offered. The Ashland Public Library bookmobile will be present, providing books related to the celebration and activities for children. Living history walking tours will be available at 4:15, 5:15 and 6:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with free parking available onsite. For more information, visit or call 419-289-3111 during regular business hours. The celebration is a collaboration between the Ashland County Historical Society, Ashland Main Street, the Ashland County Juneteenth Committee and the Ashland Public Library. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Free Juneteenth event in Ashland features food, tours and history
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Peninsula Regional 911 unveils new technology that allows callers to share real-time video and photos
YORKTOWN, Va. (WAVY) – New 911 technology on the Peninsula will help improve speed and response during emergency situations. Peninsula Regional 911 callers can now share real-time video and photos using Citizen Input. Dispatchers can send a link to callers that will allow them to voluntarily do so. Dispatcher Krystal Wilcox said it's been easy to adapt to the new technology in the three months they've been testing it out. 'It's an integrated solution, so it allows us to have it paired with our mapping system and our phone system. So, it's easy to maneuver when we answer 911, or even a non-emergency line,' Wilcox said. The director of the Peninsula Regional 911 Emergency Communications Center, Terry Hall, said the technology is not meant for every call they get. It would mainly be utilized for situations like fires or accidents to help give context during emergencies. 'We were kind of concerned that maybe the citizens would not want to use it, but I think we have probably done 30 to 40 of them, and everybody has been very well receptive, and it's really aided in our first responder responses,' Hall said. Hall added that they're also testing transcription and translation services, hoping to continue modernizing the technology they use to serve citizens. 'All the tools that you see around you, and all the consoles you see behind us are tools that the dispatchers can use to articulate the response, who to send, how to send. All of that happens and starts in the 911 center,' Hall said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
