CLARK HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE ROANOKE, ALABAMA

A Guided Digital Tour Of The Lives, Legacies and Works Of Wilkie And Hattie Lee (Peters) Clark as presented by their offspring:  their only daughter, Mrs. Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson; grandson, Wilkie S. Frieson, and Granddaughter, Je'Lynn M. Frieson.
​AN ALABAMA HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE

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Our Electronic Repository of Documents, and Historical Artifacts
Wilkie and Hattie Lee Clark

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Explore The Clark Historic Landmark Site

"The Torchbearers Of Civil Rights History"

Welcome to our complete resource hub. Discover stories, documents, artifacts, and the enduring legacy of Wilkie and Hattie Lee Clark — organized in one place for easy navigation.

Index

□️ About Us

  • Our Story

    • Learn about Wilkie and Hattie Lee Clark, civil rights pioneers and visionary founders of our historic landmark.

  • Mission and Vision

    • Understand our mission to educate, preserve, and inspire the next generation.

□ Historical Archives

  • Document Repository & Artifacts

    Original deeds, letters, and rare artifacts from the Clark family and local community history.

  • Historic Firsts Of East Alabama

    A growing archive honoring African Americans across East Alabama and the surrounding region who broke barriers, opened doors, and made history through their achievements.

  • Photo Gallery

    Historic photos showing milestones, events, and people behind the legacy.

□ Family Biographies

⭐ Heroes: Other Notable Figures

⚔️ SUPERHEROS: Above & Beyond Notable

    Meet colleagues, mentors, and partners who exceeded expectations in helping shape the Clark story.

  • ⚔️ The Award-Winning Randolph County, Alabama Branch No 5053, NAACP

    • A cornerstone of local, state, and regional civil rights advocacy, the Randolph County NAACP Branch No. 5053 has led decades of community action and recognition.

  • ⚔️ Dr. David Baker, The "Giant-Slayer" Of Environmental Justice

    • A Comprehensive Biography and Historical Record.

  • ⚔️ Dr. Effie Jean Fields

    • Dr. Effie Jean Fields is celebrated as a trailblazing educator and leader, empowering generations through her dedication to learning and service.

  • ⚔️ Dr. Jerome A. Gray

    • Jerome A. Gray’s tireless work as an activist and strategist advanced voting rights and strengthened grassroots political movements in Alabama.

  • ⚔️ Reverend R.L. Heflin

    • Reverend R. L. Heflin inspired faith and community action, serving as a beloved pastor and mentor who championed education and progress.

  • ⚔️ William Henry Holtzclaw

    • William Henry Holtzclaw: From Randolph County soil to regional legacy—his vision built pathways where none existed.

  • ⚔️ Dr. Alvin Thornton

    • Dr. Alvin Thornton — a native son of Roanoke and Randolph County, Alabama — is recognized as an influential educator, policy leader, and advocate for equitable access to higher education and civil rights.

  • ⚔️ Bishop Lathonia J. Wright

    • Bishop Lathonia J. Wright devoted his ministry to uplifting his community through spiritual, civic, and political leadership, outreach, and unwavering faith.

⚡ SUPER-DUPER-HEROS: WAY Above & WAY Beyond Notable

    This is where inspiration meets impact. Here you’ll meet the larger‑than‑life figures—both local and legacy—who didn’t just make history... they mastered it. These are the people who rewrote the rules, broke barriers, and ignited change that still echoes throughout our community. Through their unwavering vision and action, they reshaped what was possible:

  • Trailblazers in justice and education who opened doors previously chained shut
  • Faith leaders and policy warriors who lifted voices and communities with unwavering courage
  • Everyday heroes turned historic icons, whose unexpected acts of bravery left a permanent mark.

  • FEATURED SUPER-DUPER-HEROES

  • ⚡ The True Story of Art and Woodrow Allen Bush

    • Black sharecroppers who defied a violent white mob, stood firm in court, and endured a brutal aftermath—reminding us that heroism isn’t limited to grand gestures, but rooted in courage, conviction, and sacrifice..


    🌟 Featured Legacy Story

    The Terry Family Legacy: From Roanoke to the World Stage

    From One Room to Global Reach

    In a small Southern town, during a time when opportunities for African American enterprise were limited, the Terry family built something extraordinary—an enterprise that would reach the world.

    From a modest one-room beginning in Roanoke, Alabama, Jessie A. Terry and Velma Heard Terry, alongside their sons, developed a manufacturing enterprise that would grow into a nationally and internationally recognized success. Their company not only created jobs and strengthened the local economy, but also demonstrated what was possible through vision, discipline, and education.

    Beyond their business achievements, members of the Terry family were actively engaged in the Civil Rights Movement—standing alongside local leaders, including Wilkie Clark, whom they regarded as a mentor. Their contributions reflect a powerful legacy of both economic empowerment and community advocacy.

    Their story is not simply one of success—it is a testament to what can be built, sustained, and shared for the benefit of future generations.

    □□Explore the Full Terry Family Legacy →


    👿 ANTAGONISTS: Denied, but Undeterred

      When Wilkie Clark was repeatedly denied business loans by SBA official James C. Barksdale, he refused to yield. Instead, he relied on faith, family, and perseverance to build Clark Funeral Home from the ground up. His triumph in the face of discrimination remains one of the most powerful examples of self-determination in Roanoke’s history.

  • 👿 The Life and Legacy Of James C. Barksdale

    • Deputy Director of the Birmingham Regional Office of the Small Business Administration, who in the late 1960s repeatedly denied Wilkie Clark SBA Financing...


    □ Visit & Connect

    • Plan Your Visit

      Find location, hours, group tours, and learn how to experience the landmark in person.

    • Contact Us

      Reach out with questions, share your stories, or arrange special visits.

    □□‍□Community & Programs

    □ Media Inquiries & Press Releases

    • Media Inquiries

      • We love speaking to the press! Learn who to contact about interviews.

    • Press Releases

      Here's where to learn what we're up to from time to time.

    • Blog Posts

      Also, check out our blog, in the "Updates" section of our site.

    ⚖️ Policies & Legal

    • Privacy Policy

      How we protect your privacy and handle your information.

    • Terms of Use

      Your rights and responsibilities when using our site.

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    Pay Your Respects

    • Visit Mr. Clark's Gravesite

      Here You can visit the gravesite of Mr. Wilkie Clark right online — without leaving home — leave flowers, expressions, or light a candle in his memory

    • Visit Mrs. Clark's Gravesite

      Here You can visit the gravesite of Mrs. Hattie Lee Peters Clark right online — without leaving home — leave flowers, expressions, or light a candle in her memory.