Kimball World War Memorial Honors African American Veterans, Shapes Community Identity
The World War Memorial in Kimball, built in 1928 to honor African American service members from World War I, remains a visible symbol of local history and resilience for McDowell County. Its preservation and inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places support heritage tourism, community remembrance, and broader efforts toward social equity in the region.
Perched on a hill above the town of Kimball, the World War Memorial stands as one of the earliest monuments in the United States dedicated to African American veterans of World War I. Erected in 1928 and later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, the Classical Revival influenced structure recognizes a significant moment in county history when about 1,500 men from McDowell County volunteered for military service. That contribution came from a county that in the early 20th century had one of the largest African American populations in Appalachia, and the site today continues to anchor local commemoration.
The memorial is publicly accessible and regularly appears in local heritage tourism guides, drawing visitors who come to pay respects and to learn about a chapter of regional history that has too often been marginalized. State and local historical organizations have played an active role in preserving the site and expanding programming, ensuring that remembrance events and educational efforts reach both residents and visitors. Continued stewardship has kept the memorial visible in community life, reinforcing ties between historical memory and present day civic identity.
Beyond history and tourism, the memorial carries public health and social equity implications for McDowell County. Cultural recognition and inclusive narratives contribute to community cohesion and collective wellbeing, which are important social determinants of health. Heritage tourism that centers African American history can support local economic opportunities, which in turn affect access to resources and services. Preserving widely accessible public spaces for commemoration also provides a setting for intergenerational exchange, healing, and civic engagement.
As McDowell County navigates economic and health challenges, investment in historic sites like the Kimball memorial offers multiple returns. It honors those who served, strengthens community identity, and creates pathways for equitable recognition and local development. Continued attention from residents, historical groups, and policymakers can help the site maintain its role as both a place of remembrance and a resource for community resilience.
