Halifax Underground RR

12/04/2026

Sharing history of the Halifax Underground Railroad and the Drury Walden story of his service in the American Revolutionary War at Prelude to Revolution:Halifax Resolves Days.

07/03/2026

07/02/2026

Walk the quarter mile trail of the Halifax Underground Railroad Trail in Halifax, NC.

02/02/2026

February is Black History Month, and we are kicking it off by telling the story of Sarah Keys Evans. On August 2, 1952, Sarah, then a 23-year-old Private in the Black Women’s Army Corps, was travelling via bus from Fort Dix, New Jersey to her hometown of Washington, NC. When the bus stopped to change drivers in Roanoke Rapids, NC, the new driver told her to give up her seat for a white Marine. She refused and was arrested for disorderly conduct. She was pulled off the bus by two policemen and placed in the Roanoke Rapids jail. She spent the night in a cell with a mattress so dirty that she was afraid sitting down would soil her uniform. According to her, she spent the night pacing in her 1 and ½ inch heels, “crying and praying.” The next morning, she was fined $25 and allowed to resume her journey. With the support of her family, she filed a complaint with the Interstate Commerce Commission, “Sarah Keys vs. Carolina Coach Company.” After three long years of legal battles, the ICC banned segregation on interstate busses. That ruling came on November 7, 1955, making national headlines. Later that month, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus. As time passed, Sarah moved on, marrying, and becoming a hairdresser in Harlem. She did not like talking about the emotional experience and preferred to fade into the background. However, her story was too important to be lost to history. The US Department of Justice honored Evans with a Trailblazer Award in 2006. Today, Sarah Keys Evans is remembered in Roanoke Rapids with a mural of her story, painted by local artist Napoleon Hill. A highway marker has also been erected on Roanoke Avenue near the former bus terminal. Sadly, Sarah Keys Evans passed away on November 16, 2023. In 2020, TIME Magazine asked her what advice she’d give to young people today. “Keep on reading, and keep on listening.”
Sources: https://time.com/5871245/sarah-keys-evans/
https://www.rrdailyherald.com/.../article_9e6d5ab0-77d7...

23/09/2025

https://rrspin.com/news/10902-underground-railroad-day-highlights-freedom-seekers-in-county.html

Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County News from RRSpin

22/09/2025

Vernon J. Bryant, Chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, reads the proclamation declaring Saturday, September 20th as Halifax County Underground Railroad Day. Sandra Bryant, President of the Halifax Underground Railroad accepts the proclamation.

21/09/2025

Thanks to the Weldon High/Middle School band and all those that came out to celebrate Halifax Underground Railroad Day yesterday!

16/09/2025

CORRECTION: 101 MAPLE DRIVE (not street)