Cleveland in Bolivar County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Delta Blues Inspires W.C. Handy

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

1. Delta Blues Inspires W.C. Handy Marker

Inscription. While leading his orchestra at a dance on this site c. 1905, Handy was unable to perform requested blues numbers. A local band stepped in and stole the show. "My enlightenment came in Cleveland. That night an American composer was born," he wrote. Handy later penned such blues classics as Memphis Blues and St. Louis Blues.

Erected 1997 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 33° 44.652′ N, 90° 43.484′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Mississippi, in Bolivar County. Marker is at the intersection of South Court Street and North Bolivar Avenue, on the right when traveling west on South Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 South Court Street, Cleveland MS 38732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bolivar County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bolivar County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Enlightenment of W.C. Handy (within shouting distance of this marker); David R. Bowen

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cleveland Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Margaret Wade (approx. ¼ mile away); Cleveland (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chrisman Street (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.

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

Public Domain

2. W.C. Handy

Marker on grounds of Bolivar County Courthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

3. Marker on grounds of Bolivar County Courthouse.

View of marker looking east on South Court Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

4. View of marker looking east on South Court Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.