Enfield after the Sixties

This chapter examines the changes in the town of Enfield after the protests ended in the 1960s. The agitators, as they were called by the segregationists, were gone and the signs reading “WHITE” and “COLORED” were removed. Eventually, the schools were desegregated, consistent with the legal requirements of the Civil Rights Act, although inconsistent with the intent of the legislation. The first six Black students transferred from Inborden to the White Enfield Graded School in 1964; however, it was not until the 1970s that the two schools in Enfield were fully integrated. Inborden became Inborden Elementary School, and the Enfield Graded School became Enfield High School. As integration in the schools progressed, many White families moved their children to the private, all-White Enfield Academy. But in spite of the continued resistance to integrate the school system by some White families, Blacks were elected to fill positions on the Halifax County Schools Board of Education and town officials finally took action to desegregate the Enfield Public Library. The chapter also considers the elimination of the curfew whistle; the changes in the population and demographics of Enfield; the election of Black officials; and the completion of Interstate 95 in 1969, which had a major impact on businesses in Enfield. Finally, it looks at the significant changes on Dixie Street and in farming practices in Enfield.