Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

First Court House, First Newspaper

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

1. First Court House, First Newspaper Marker

Inscription. Shelby County's first court house, a $50 cabin, was built here in 1820. The court moved to Raleigh, and the cabin then housed the first newspaper, the Memphis Advocate, which began January 18, 1827.

Erected 1969 by Memphis Sesquicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 35° 9.141′ N, 90° 2.947′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It can be reached from North Main Street just south of Winchester Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in Brinkley Park, roughly bordered by North Main Street to the west, Winchester Avenue to the north, North 2nd Street to the east and Market Avenue to the south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 290 N Main St, Memphis TN 38103, 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

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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: Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); First Tavern (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Congregation B'Nai Israel (about 600 feet away); St. Mary's Catholic Church (about 600 feet away); Lauderdale Courts / Presley Family at Lauderdale Courts (about 600 feet away); Josiah T. Settle (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Memphis Waterfront (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Marcus Winchester (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

2. First Court House, First Newspaper 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 393 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.