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

Free Hill — A Forgotten Community

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

1. Free Hill — A Forgotten Community Marker

Inscription. Established in the 1850s, Free Hill was a community of free, educated African Americans. These men and women were skilled tradespersons who owned property and businesses. By 1854, they advertised In newspapers. St. Mark's AME Zion Church, built in 1867, was the cornerstone of the Free Hill Community and was the first church erected by and for African Americans in the McMinn County area. Free Hill was a symbol of pride and faith in a tumultuous time.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2A 114.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 35° 27.082′ N, 84° 35.791′ W. Marker is in Athens, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is on Knoxville Avenue south of Stiles Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Knoxville Avenue, Athens TN 37303, United States of

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America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

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: St. Mark A.M.E. Zion, “Free Hill” (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First United Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Nocatula Legend (approx. 0.4 miles away); Petty-Manker Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tennessee Wesleyan College (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Athens (approx. half a mile away); Samuel Cleage (approx. half a mile away); McMinn County Jail (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Free Hill — A Forgotten Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,817 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.