Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Magnolia Avenue History

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 24, 2021

1. Magnolia Avenue History Marker

Inscription.
The long brick building on the left, between Austin and Bertrand, is the old Swan’s Bakery. It opened its new modern plant with some fanfare in 1927, and was so proud of it that Swan’s invited the public to see it, and even made the bakery available as an event space for community meetings and parties. (Photograph: McClung Historical Collection)

By the 1940s, Swan’s was nationally known for its sponsored African-American gospel group, Swan Silvertones, who have been cited as an influence by Paul Simon and others. Swan’s remained in business until 1991. (Photograph: Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound)

Erected by Knoxville History Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Knoxville History Project - Downtown Art Wraps series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 35° 58.755′ N, 83° 54.354′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of East Magnolia Avenue (U.S. 70) and North Bertrand Street, on the left when traveling west on East Magnolia Avenue. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1822 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville TN 37917, United States of 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: Ruth Cobb Brice (here, next to this marker); Knoxville (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Magnolia Avenue History (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Ruth Cobb Brice (approx. ¼ mile away); Beauford Delaney (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Magnolia Avenue History (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Clair Cobb (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 24, 2021

2. Magnolia Avenue History Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 611 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.