North Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Porter-Leath Children's Center
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
1. Porter-Leath Children's Center Marker
Inscription.
Porter-Leath Children's Center. . An orphan asylum founded by Sarah Leath was chartered in 1850 and moved to this site in 1856. After surviving the hardships of the Civil War years, the orphanage endured the scourge of the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. Since many children were orphaned during this period, additional capacity was needed. Responding to this crisis, in 1875 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows provided funds to erect another building. In 1904 the name Porter was added in recognition of the generosity of the Porter family. Porter-Leath continued to be an orphanage until 1969 when it became a multi-service agency to serve more children in need.
An orphan asylum founded by Sarah Leath was chartered in 1850 and moved to this site in 1856. After surviving the hardships of the Civil War years, the orphanage endured the scourge of the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. Since many children were orphaned during this period, additional capacity was needed. Responding to this crisis, in 1875 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows provided funds to erect another building. In 1904 the name Porter was added in recognition of the generosity of the Porter family. Porter-Leath continued to be an orphanage until 1969 when it became a multi-service agency to serve more children in need.
Erected by Porter-Leath Children's Center and Shelby County Historical Commission.
Location. 35° 9.855′ N, 90° 1.925′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. Marker is on North Manassas Street, 0.1 miles north of Bethel Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 868 North Manassas Street, Memphis TN 38107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
2. Porter-Leath Children's Center Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
