William R. Walker, Jr. Historical Marker

This is the site of William R. Walker, Jr.'s former home at 72 Shoe Lane. Walker had moved here in the late 1950s. As an experienced real estate broker, Walker saw potential in the underdeveloped interior region of Shoe Lane. He planned to develop the property for African-American families who wanted to move out of the city's downtown area. When the city of Newport News looked to seize a substantial area of the Shoe Lane property for the establishment of the main campus of Christopher Newport College, Walker banded together with his community to fight the city's plans even though his own property was not within the threatened area.

Despite losing to the city, Walker had never opposed the establishment of Christopher Newport College itself. Like others, he knew that an institution of higher education would greatly benefit the community. As Walker learned to live with the decision and recognized the positive effects that a successful public college had on Newport News, Walker agreed to later serve on the Christopher Newport College Board of Visitors for four terms from 1978 to 1990.

The University ultimately obtained the property of 72 Shoe Lane in 2006 and the house was torn down to make room for the Gregory P. Klich Alumni House. On September 20, 2019, Christopher Newport University named the lawn adjacent to its Alumni House "Walker's Green" in honor of William R. Walker, Jr. and his dedication to both the community and later to the University. Mr. Walker's house at 72 Shoe Lane once stood where the lawn is now.