Standing Tall

West Virginia is home to the first African American World War I Memorial.

Enjoy this excerpt from our latest travel guide!

NOW HERE’S SOMETHING A LOT OF FOLKS DON’T KNOW—and ought to. The Kimball World War I Memorial, right here in McDowell County, was the first memorial in the United States built to honor African American veterans of World War I. That’s right—the first. And today, it’s the only one still standing. Back in the early 1900s, this county was booming with coal mines, railroads, and a strong Black community. When war broke out, 1,500 Black men from McDowell signed up to fight. Nationwide, more than 400,000 African American soldiers volunteered, 50,000 saw combat overseas, 171 earned the Croix de Guerre, and around 1,300 became officers.

The memorial was built in 1928, designed in Greek style by Hassell T. Hicks. It wasn’t just a tribute—it was a true community hub. Folks gathered there for everything from wedding receptions to proms, and even shows by legends like Cab Calloway. It was the heartbeat of the town for decades. Over time, as coal jobs faded and people moved on, the building fell on hard times, and a fire in 1991 nearly finished it off. What was left was just a shell of what it used to be. But locals were determined to restore it. With state and federal funding, they brought it back to life. Today, it stands tall again—fully restored, open for tours and events, and ready to keep telling its powerful story. It has picked up plenty of awards, too—from the American Institute of Architects to the Congressional Black Caucus. But more important than awards, it’s a place where history lives on, and where folks—no matter where they’re from—can come together, learn something, and reflect.

READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2025 ISSUE

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