Wortham in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Blind Lemon Jefferson

(1897 - 1929)

Photographed By James Hulse, October 18, 2020

1. Blind Lemon Jefferson Marker

Inscription.

Born near Wortham. As a young street musician, played a guitar and sang spirituals and blues. Composed many of his songs, and had a distinctive vocal style. From Dallas' Deep Elm District went to Chicago in 1920's with a talent scout; made 79 great Jazz and Blues recordings. One of America's outstanding original musicians. Influenced Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Bessie Smith, and other great artists.
Recorded - 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9886.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 31° 47.862′ N, 96° 27.803′ W. Marker is in Wortham, Texas, in Freestone County. Marker can be reached from North 3rd Street (State Highway 14) 0.1 miles north of West Canadian Avenue (County Highway 1010). The marker is located in the back west section of the Blind Lemon Jefferson Memorial Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wortham TX 76693, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Rev. G.W. Bounds (approx. 0.7 miles away); United Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); City of Wortham

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); The Wortham Oil Boom (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mrs. Lucy Haggard Longbotham (approx. 1.3 miles away); Robert B. Longbotham (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tehuacana Cemetery (approx. 5.7 miles away); William Rees (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wortham.

Regarding Blind Lemon Jefferson. He has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues"

Also see . . . Blind Lemon Jefferson. Wikipedia (Submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, October 18, 2020

2. Blind Lemon Jefferson Marker

Blind Lemon Jefferson Marker and gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 18, 2020

3. Blind Lemon Jefferson Marker and gravestone

Blind Lemon Jefferson tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 18, 2020

4. Blind Lemon Jefferson tombstone

Only known photograph of Jefferson image. Click for full size.

Public Domain, 1926

5. Only known photograph of Jefferson

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.