Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Charlie Oaks

The New Market Train Wreck

— Cradle of Country Music Tour —

Charlie Oaks Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019

1. Charlie Oaks Marker

Inscription. Built in 1903, the Southern Depot became a venue for street musicians. Among them was Charlie Oaks, a blind man who some country music historians consider the first professional country musician.

One of his best-known songs, New Market Train Wreck, describes the tragic 1904 collision of a train that had left this station minutes before, with another due to arrive here minutes later. The lyrics represent the point of view of someone witnessing the bodies being unloaded in downtown Knoxville.

Erected by Cradle of Country Music Tour. (Marker Number 12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1904.

Location. 35° 58.201′ N, 83° 55.299′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. Marker is on West Depot Avenue east of North Gay Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the sidewalk, overlooking the west end of the Southern Railway Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 West Depot Avenue, Knoxville TN 37917, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dolly Parton (within shouting distance of this marker); The Southern Railway Station (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Hubris Building (about 700 feet away); The Midday Merry-Go-Round (about 700 feet away); Uncle Dave Macon (about 800 feet away); Patrick Sullivan's Saloon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vinnies Italian Restaurant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery Wiltsie (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Also see . . .
1. Charlie Oaks. Charlie Oaks was a minstrel singer, appearing on street corners in Knoxville, Tennessee, with guitar and harmonica. He specialized in "event" songs about train wrecks, murders, and storms. "The Death of William Jennings Bryan", "The John T. Scopes Trial", "The Death of Floyd Collins", and "Little Maggy Phagan" were such songs recorded by Oaks. Although he had an extensive recording output, he never rose to fame. (Submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. New Market Train Wreck (Wikipedia). The New Market Train Wreck happened when two Southern Railway passenger trains travelling at great speed collided head on near New Market, Tennessee on Saturday, September 24, 1904, killing at least

Charlie Oaks Marker<br>(<i>wide view • Southern Railroad Depot in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019

2. Charlie Oaks Marker
(wide view • Southern Railroad Depot in background)

56 passengers and crew and injuring 106. (Submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.