Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Affricanna Town

1864-1867

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 4, 2022

1. Affricanna Town Marker (side A)

Inscription. Following emancipation in Tennessee, freed people from surrounding areas took refuge inside U.S. military lines at Clarksville. Exercising their newfound freedom, they built a free, Black village near Dunbar Cave. A former enslaver called the settlement “Affricanna Town.” Those who lived here built their own temporary homes and kept small garden plots.

Reverse Side
It was mostly families of U.S. Colored Troops soldiers that lived at the village. The village was separate from the refugee camp in Clarksville managed by the U.S. military and was not subjected to the refugee camp’s poor conditions. Many in the African American community in Montgomery County today are descended from these survivors of enslavement.

Erected 2022 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3C 88.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 36° 32.997′ N, 87° 18.307′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It is on Dunbar Cave Road 0.1 miles east of Old Dunbar Cave Road, on the left when traveling

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east. Marker is near Swan Lake at Dunbar Cave State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Old Dunbar Cave Rd, Clarksville TN 37043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American 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: Dunbar Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dunbar Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Affricanna Town (within shouting distance of this marker); The Three Sisters Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dunbar Cave (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1933 Swimming Pool & Bathhouse (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Dunbar Cave (about 600 feet away); Roy Acuff (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Affricanna Town Marker - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Meghan E. Gattignolo, September 22, 2023

2. Affricanna Town Marker - Reverse Side

Affricanna Town Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 4, 2022

3. Affricanna Town Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on September 22, 2023, by Meghan E. Gattignolo of Clarksville, Tn, Usa. 3. submitted on September 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.