Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Birthplace of W.C. Handy

1873

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 29, 2019

1. Birthplace of W.C. Handy Marker

Closeup of the Marker

Inscription. William Christopher Handy, acclaimed worldwide as the “Father of the Blues” was born November 16, 1873, in his grandfather’s two~room log cabin which was located at this site. All structures in this area were removed in 1954 to make way for the Handy Homes Project. W.C. Handy received 20,000 for this site which he returned to the City of Florence to be used for the restoration of his boyhood home. In 1970, the cabin was restored at its present location (620 West College Street) as a part of the W.C. Handy Home and Museum.

Erected by Florence Historical Board Florence, Alabama.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is November 16, 1873.

Location. 34° 48.087′ N, 87° 41.203′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is at the intersection of Beale Street and North Cherokee Street, on the right when traveling west on Beale Street. This marker is located at the corner of Beal St and N Cherokee St in the Handy Homes Area next to parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Beale Street, Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. James Missionary Baptist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); The Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Locust Street Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Christopher Handy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Burrell Normal School (approx. 0.4 miles away); W. C. Handy Birthplace (approx. 0.4 miles away); Karsner-Kennedy House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Birthplace of W. C. Handy 1873 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 29, 2019

2. Birthplace of W. C. Handy 1873 Marker

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 29, 2019

3. Birthplace of W. C. Handy 1873 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.