Marietta in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Leo Frank Lynching

Photographed By David Seibert, March 13, 2008

1. Leo Frank Lynching Marker

Inscription. Near this location on August 17, 1915, Leo M. Frank, the Jewish superintendent of the National Pencil Company in Atlanta, was lynched for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory employee. A highly controversial trial fueled by societal tensions and anti-Semitism resulted in a guilty verdict in 1913. After Governor John M. Slaton commuted his sentence from death to life in prison, Frank was kidnapped from the state prison in Milledgeville and taken to Phagan’s hometown of Marietta where he was hanged before a local crowd. Without addressing guilt or innocence, and in recognition of the state’s failure to either protect Frank or bring his killers to justice, he was granted a posthumous pardon in 1986.

Erected 2008 by The Georgia Historical Society, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, and Temple Kol Emeth. (Marker Number 33-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 33° 57.071′ N, 84°

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

31.034′ W. Marker is in Marietta, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker is at the intersection of Roswell Road (Georgia Route 120) and Larry McDonald Memorial Highway (Interstate 75), on the right when traveling west on Roswell Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Roswell Street, Marietta GA 30060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Georgia Anti-Lynching Memorial (here, next to this marker); Address by President Lincoln (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Bell Bomber Park (approx. 1.4 miles away); 20th Army Corps Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); Wisconsin Soldiers Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lemon Street Grammar and High School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Marietta National Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Also see the Mary Phagan marker entry.

Also see . . .
1. . The murder of Mary Phagan and the conviction and lynching of Leo Frank still remain controversial today, and strong (and bitter) feelings remain on both sides. (Submitted on March 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)

2. Leo Frank - Wikipedia enter. (Submitted on March 3, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)

Leo Frank Lynching Marker dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Judith Rice, March 7, 2008

2. Leo Frank Lynching Marker dedication

3. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation is a non-profit, volunteer organization. The purpose of the Society is to identify and recognize sites of American Jewish Historical interest. The Society sponsors and promotes programs of local and national historic interest. Cooperating with local Historical Societies, Communities, Churches and Synagogues, the Society encourages dialogue and interactive recognition of the commonality of the American Experience. (Submitted on February 3, 2010, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Maryland.)

4. The Lynching of Leo Frank The Commutation of Gov. John Slaton. (Submitted on May 28, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker reinstalled and rededicated after 4 years in storage.
This marker was placed in a Georgia Department of Transportation warehouse for the last four years, due to construction along the road where it was located. On August 23rd, a ceremony was held to rededicate the marker, which had been first placed there in 2008.

— Submitted August 16, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Additional keywords.

Leo Frank Lynching Marker - post re-dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, August 23, 2018

3. Leo Frank Lynching Marker - post re-dedication

lynching, terrorism

Leo Frank (1884–1915) image. Click for full size.

Unknown photographer, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1910

4. Leo Frank (1884–1915)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 6,604 times since then and 215 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 1, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 20, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 4. submitted on November 21, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.