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. 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 35° 9.855′ N, 90° 1.925′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. It is on North Manassas Street 0.1 miles north of Bethel Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 868 North Manassas Street, Memphis TN 38107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: American Studios / Elvis Presley at American Studios (approx. ¼ mile away); William Herbert Brewster, Sr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Brick Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Humes High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Isaac Hayes (approx. 0.4 miles away); Manassas High School / The Cora P. Taylor Auditorium (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Memphis 13/Gordon Elementary School (approx. half a mile away); Burkle Estate (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

2. Porter-Leath Children's Center Marker

of all markers in Memphis.

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 489 times since then and 32 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.