Syracuse in Onondaga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2023
1. Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten Marker
Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten was born near Chapel Hill, North Carolina on January 5, 1893 surrounded by a very musical family. Because Libba was left handed, it was very difficult for her to learn conventional methods of playing banjo or guitar. She taught herself to play her guitar upside down and invented a unique style of finger picking - known as "cotten pickin' - eventually spread to guitarists throughout the world.
Elizabeth began composing songs at the tender age of nine years. One of her early songs titled, "Freight Train" was most popular. During her life, she performed with some of music's greatest artists and recorded four albums. In later years "Libba" performed with her devoted granddaughter, Johnine Rankin.
Cotten won many honors including a Grammy Award in 1984 for "Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording" as well as a National Heritage Fellowship. After she moved to Syracuse, New York in 1978, she was adopted as the city's "Living Treasure."
This monument stands as a testimony to her passion, strength, fortitude and inspiration, for which she will always be remembered.
Erected 2012 by the City of Syracuse, Central New York Community Foundation, Syracuse University, and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
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Location. 43° 2.018′ N, 76° 8.84′ W. Marker is in Syracuse, New York, in Onondaga County. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King East and State Street, on the left when traveling east on Martin Luther King East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Martin Luther King East, Syracuse NY 13202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Libba's Grove (a few steps from this marker); Spanish War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Young Abraham Lincoln (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rock of the Marne Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); FDR Dedicated Our Medical College Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); A. [Alonzo] B. Caldwell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Soldier's and Sailor's Plot at Oakwood (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Unknown Dead (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syracuse.
Also see . . . Elizabeth Cotten: Master of American folk music (Smithsonian Folkways). (Submitted on March 13, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2023
2. Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten Monument
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2023
3. Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten Sculpture Detail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2023
4. Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten Sculptor's Mark
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
