Rossville in Fayette County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

"Mississippi" Fred McDowell

1904 - 1972

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

1. "Mississippi" Fred McDowell Marker

Inscription. Born in Rossville on January 12, 1904, Fred McDowell was one of America's eminent blues artists. His work, rooted in the Delta blues tradition, won him international fame. Of his unique bottleneck guitar style he said: "I make the guitar say what I say, if I play 'Amazing Grace,' it'll sing that too." His influence spread beyond blues to gospel and popular artists. He died in Memphis on July 13, 1972.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 147.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 12, 1904.

Location. 35° 2.511′ N, 89° 32.606′ W. Marker is in Rossville, Tennessee, in Fayette County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 57 and Rossville Road (State Road 194), on the right when traveling west on State Highway 57. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rossville TN 38066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee

and in Greater Memphis.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Skirmish at Lafayette Station (approx. half a mile away); Confederate Soldiers Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); Collierville Christian Church

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(approx. 6.8 miles away); The Original Village (approx. 6.8 miles away); Collierville, Tennessee Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away); Memphis & Charleston Railroad (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Wigfall Grays (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Battle of Collierville (approx. 6.9 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. "Goin Down to the River". You Tube video of McDowell. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. "John Henry". Another video of McDowell. This features several close-ups of him working the guitar with his bottleneck slide. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. McDowell's Diskography. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

2. "Mississippi" Fred McDowell Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,095 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.