Murray in Calloway County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Murray State University
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2021
1. Murray State University Marker
Established 1922. Founder, Rainey T. Wells (1875-1958). His home, where the idea of the University was born, 350 feet SE of here. Dr. Wells second president of Murray State.
Gov. Morrow signed bill authorizing two "normal schools” — one in east Ky. other in west Ky. on March 8, 1922. Murray chosen as site in west Ky., Sept. 17, 1922. Doors opened Sept. 24, 1923. Dr. John W. Carr (1859-1960) was first president. His home 285 feet SW.
To locate school at Murray, citizens of Calloway Co. gave to Ky. $17,000 to acquire land for campus and $100,000 to construct Administration Building 150 feet NE of here.
Erected 1971 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1427.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 36° 36.636′ N, 88° 19.454′ W. Marker is in Murray, Kentucky, in Calloway County. It is at the intersection of North 16th Street and University Drive, on the right when traveling north on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, and specifically in the Upper South. 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Desegregation of Murray State College (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cleanth Brooks (1906-94) (about 800 feet away); Will Linn House (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Courthouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Ryan Farm Barn (approx. 1.2 miles away); Calloway County War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); County Named, 1822 (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murray.
Also see . . . Murray State University. Explore
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2021
2. Murray State University Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
