Johnson City in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Desegregation of East Tennessee State College (University)

1956 and 1958

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

1. Desegregation of East Tennessee State College (University) Marker

Inscription. In January 1956, Eugene Caruthers, a teacher a Langston High School in Johnson City, became the first black student enrolled in East Tennessee State College's graduate program. In August 1958, Elizabeth Watkins Crawford, Clarence McKinney, George L. Nichols, and Mary Luellen Owens Wagner enrolled as the college's first black undergraduates. All were graduates of Langston High School. ETSC's undergraduate program was one of the state's first public institutions of higher education to desegregate, notably without incident.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 144.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1956.

Location. 36° 18.154′ N, 82° 21.983′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It can be reached from J L Seehorn Junior Road west of Gilbreath Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the East Tennessee State University campus, in the

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Memorial Plaza at the northwest corner of the Charles C. Sherrod Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 344 J L Seehorn Junior Road, Johnson City TN 37604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Borchuck Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Elbert Columbus "E.C." Miller (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza (about 600 feet away); East Tennessee State University (about 700 feet away); Johnson City (approx.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

2. Desegregation of East Tennessee State College (University) Marker

(Charles C. Sherrod Library in background)

half a mile away); National Soldiers’ Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); Tree Streets Historic District (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Charles C. Sherrod Library (<i>northwest entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

3. Charles C. Sherrod Library (northwest entrance)

(marker is beside walkway on right)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.