Brownsville in Haywood County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Lot Number 1

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2022

1. Lot Number 1 Marker

Inscription. Site of lot number 1 of the town of Brownsville which was purchased by Hiram Bradford in 1825, who established a hotel and business here. Later Emil Tamm & Sons, who were in business in Brownsville for 96 years, were at this location.

Erected 1999.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 35° 35.62′ N, 89° 15.708′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Tennessee, in Haywood County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and South Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Marker is on a pillar at Tamm Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 S Washington Ave, Brownsville TN 38012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Brownsville Raids (a few steps from this marker); Fighting for Freedom (a few steps from this marker); First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County War Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Elbert Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Regarding Lot Number 1. Excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities:

Emil Tamm was an observant Jew from Bavaria. Although he had studied to be a rabbi, Tamm chose a different course for his life when he turned 20, immigrating to the United States in 1867. After spending two years in Chicago, Tamm decided to move to Brownsville, where two of his distant relatives, Mayer Greenwald and Seligman Anker, already lived. Tamm opened a general merchandise store, which remained in business for over a century. Tamm married Seligman’s daughter, Hannah Anker, and together they raised nine children, only four of whom remained in Brownsville as adults. Tamm’s store became a family business, as three of his sons and his son-in-law, Fred Silverstein, became partners. The E. Tamm & Sons Department Store remained in the Tamm and Silverstein families until it closed in the 1970s. Emil Tamm became a leading citizen in Brownsville, actively participating in civic and political
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2022

2. Lot Number 1 Marker
affairs. Tamm was a loyal and influential member of the state Democratic Party. When he died in 1906, the local newspaper called him “one of the most reliable and substantial businessmen” in town.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.