Oliver Hill, Sr.
Photo Credit: Virginia Museum of History & Culture Blog
About Richmond's Honorary Street Name Designations
Honorary street names can be found throughout Richmond, and are intended to memorialize individuals for their civic, cultural, humanitarian, or historically significant contributions to the Richmond Community. These designations typically apply to a portion of a street, such as a city block, and are designated by Richmond City Council via the passing of an Ordinance. Honorary street names do not replace the existing name of a street and do not require an alteration to maps or addresses.
Oliver W. Hill, Sr.
A civil rights lawyer who was instrumental in the legal fight to desegregate public schools, Oliver White Hill, Sr. was born on May 1, 1907, in Richmond.
In 1940, Mr. Hill won his first civil rights case in Virginia, Alston v. School Board of City of Norfolk, which guaranteed equal pay for Black teachers. Eight years later, Mr. Hill became the first Black Richmond resident to be elected to Richmond City Council in the 20th century (until his election, no Black resident had served on Council since the days of Reconstruction).
Oliver W. Hill, Sr., tried several notable civil rights cases including Morgan v. Virginia, Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward, and most famously, the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case, which helped end the doctrine of “separate but equal” in public schools and throughout society.
Mr. Hill received several notable honors and accolades for his accomplishments, including being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, receiving the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Spingarn Medal in 2005, and having the current City of Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Courthouse named in his honor.
Designation Area:
The 200 block of East Marshall Street, in honor of Oliver W. Hill, Sr.
Download the Council Ordinance:
Learn more about this Honorary Street Designation by downloading a copy of the legislation. The Council Ordinance below is in PDF format:
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