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

McMinn County Jail

202 N. White St.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

1. McMinn County Jail Marker

Inscription.
This is the former site of the McMinn County Jail. It was under attack during the night of August 1, 1946 when the GI party believed the deputies held seized ballot boxes there. The event has been labeled The Battle of Athens. There is visible damage to the building on the corner of White and Hornsby Streets that is believed to be from shots being fired at the jail's electrical transformer by GIs. McMinn County sold the property in 1953.

The mural was created by Sam Welty, a muralist from Virginia, and completed in 2017 in time for the 71st Anniversary of the battle.

Erected by Main Street Athens Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Law Enforcement • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1946.

Location. 35° 26.622′ N, 84° 35.656′ W. Marker is in Athens, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is on North White Street (Business U.S. 11) just north of West Hornsby Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 N White St, Athens TN 37303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Fire Department (within shouting distance of this marker); Athens Outlet Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Athens (within shouting distance of this marker); African American Barbers in Athens (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Cleage (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Daily Post-Athenian (about 300 feet away); WLAR (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

McMinn County Jail Marker and bullet pockmarks in the wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

2. McMinn County Jail Marker and bullet pockmarks in the wall

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

3. McMinn County Jail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,385 times since then and 176 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.