Jackson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Former Site of Merry High School

Photographed By David Austin, July 13, 2022

1. Former Site of Merry High School Marker

Inscription.

Named in 1922 for its first principal, Austin Raymond Merry, (1856-1921) who pioneered its development from the elementary level and operated over three years, at the beginning, without cost to the city. It was moved from Church Street to this location on Tanyard Street in 1935 with A.J. Payne as principal, succeeded by C.N. Berry in 1949. It was the only high school for blacks in the city. The school was relocated on Lane Avenue at Royal Street in 1957 and was integrated by court order with formerly all white Jackson Central in 1970 to form Jackson Central Merry High.

This marker placed July 4, 1981 by the Merry High Class of 1941. Dr. Currie P. Boyd, Chairman Class Committee

Erected 1981 by Merry High School Class of 1941.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 35° 36.616′ N, 88° 48.968′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Auditorium Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is outside the Lowell Thomas State Office Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jackson TN 38301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mother Liberty CME Church (about 400 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Mabel Louise "Big Maybelle" Smith (about 600 feet away); Butler Race Track c. 1825 / Memphis Conference Female Institute 1843-1923 (about 700 feet away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); 215 E. Baltimore (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Luke's Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Bond-Horton Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Elite Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Regarding Former Site of Merry High School. The high school is now located northeast of this location on Lane Avenue.

Area around the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Austin, July 13, 2022

2. Area around the Marker

Entrance to State Office Building

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2022, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2022, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.