Sumner in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Emmett Till Murder Trial

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

1. Emmett Till Murder Trial Marker

Inscription. In August 1955 the body of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black youth from Chicago, was found in the Tallahatchie River. On September 23, in a five day trial held in this courthouse, an all-white jury acquitted two white men, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, of the murder. Both later confessed to the murder in a magazine interview. Till's murder, coupled with the trial and acquittal of these two men, drew international attention and galvanized the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi and the nation.

Erected 2007 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1955.

Location. 33° 58.249′ N, 90° 22.187′ W. Marker is in Sumner, Mississippi, in Tallahatchie County. Marker is at the intersection of North Court Street and West Court Street, on the right when traveling east on North Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Court Street, Sumner MS 38957, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tallahatchie County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Tallahatchie County (approx. 0.9 miles away); W.C. Handy Encounters the Blues (approx. 4.7 miles away); Tutwiler Funeral Home (approx. 4.7 miles away); Legendary Home of the Blues (approx. 4.7 miles away); John Lee Hooker (approx. 7.3 miles away); Parchman Farm Blues (approx. 8.1 miles away); River Site (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sumner.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Emmett Till Murder Trial (1955). "Famous Trials" entry (Submitted on October 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Tallahatchie County Courthouse where trial took place. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

2. Tallahatchie County Courthouse where trial took place.

Marker is on far right under the tree.

View of marker looking south on West Court Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

3. View of marker looking south on West Court Street.

Emmett Louis Till image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mamie Till Bradley (Fair Use), 1954

4. Emmett Louis Till

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 844 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.