Athens in McMinn County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Athens Water Works Precinct 11

115 N. Jackson St

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

1. Athens Water Works Precinct 11 Marker

Inscription. Built by the Ingleside Water Company c. 1920, this building once housed the Athens Water Works and served as Precinct 11 during the election of August 1, 1946. When Thomas Gillespie, a local black man, arrived around 3 p.m. to cast his vote, he was shot by a deputy. Later, two GI poll watchers, who were held here in order to "verify" the vote count, jumped through the plate glass window to escape the deputies. Not long after, the deputies removed the ballot boxes to the Jail on White Street.

Erected by Main Street Athens Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1946.

Location. 35° 26.61′ N, 84° 35.582′ W. Marker is in Athens, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is on North Jackson Street (Business U.S. 11) just north of Washington Avenue (Tennessee Route 39), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 N Jackson St, Athens TN 37303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

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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,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: WLAR (a few steps from this marker); Fire Hall (a few steps from this marker); First National Bank (a few steps from this marker); The Daily Post-Athenian (within shouting distance of this marker); McGaughey Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Hitching Rings (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Magill (within shouting distance of this marker); From Furs to Factories (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Additional keywords. Jim Crow era; the Battle of Athens

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

2. Athens Water Works Precinct 11 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.