North Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
New Winchester Burying Ground
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
1. New Winchester Burying Ground Marker
New Winchester Burying Ground was established in 1828 by deed from the original proprietors of Memphis. It occupied almost 11 acres within an area now bounded by Lane Ave. on the south, Danny Thomas Blvd. on the west, the old L&N Railroad tracks on the north, and Manassas St. on the east. Among those buried there were victims of the 1836 Helen McGregor steamboat disaster. It remained the city cemetery until 1874 but quickly deteriorated.
City stables were built over a number of graves, including that of Marcus B. Winchester, the first Mayor of Memphis. High Street (now St. Jude Place) and a street car line were cut through the grounds. The desecration resulted in protests by citizens and lawsuits by relatives. The solution came in 1931, when Winchester Park was established on approximately 7 acres of the cemetery. It still serves as the final resting place of some of Memphis' early citizens.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 89.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location.
this page online
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: Winchester Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); St.Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis to Peoria Run (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Mary's Cathedral Chapel and Diocesan House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Collins Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Humes High School (approx. half a mile away); Woodruff - Fontaine House (approx. half a mile away); Poplar Tunes / One-Stop Shop (approx. half a mile away); Mallory-Neely House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Also see . . . Historic-Memphis Cemeteries ... and the Eternal Resting Places. Brief history and photographs on Historic-Memphis website. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
2. New Winchester Burying Ground Marker
Reverse side
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
3. New Winchester Burying Ground Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 794 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
