Downtown in Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Cal Fackler Johnson
(1844~1925)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 17, 2023
1. Cal Fackler Johnson Marker
Born a slave in downtown Knoxville, Cal Johnson responded to emancipation by building a successful business career with few parallels in American history. Owner of a successful chain of saloons and proprietor of Knoxville's main horse-racing track, Johnson hosted the first airplane landing in Knox County and opened one of Knoxville's first movie theaters. Also a two-term alderman, Johnson became a philanthropist, helping found the city's first black YMCA as well as a public park that still bears his name.
Johnson lived with his wife in a large house on State Street, near this site. He once owned several commercial buildings, but the Cal Johnson Building across the street, originally a clothing factory, is the only one that survives. Thanks to the generous support of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Erected 2017 by Beck Cultural Exchange Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 35° 58.046′ N, 83° 55.095′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on State Street south of Commerce Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. C. Kermit “Buck” Ewing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert Birdwell (about 300 feet away); Archie Campbell / Chet Atkins (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Robert Birdwell (about 500 feet away); Richard Clarke (about 500 feet away); St. James Hotel (about 600 feet away); Uncle Dave Macon (about 600 feet away); The Midday Merry-Go-Round (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Cal Johnson. Knoxville History Project article about Cal Johnson (Submitted on April 18, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 17, 2023
2. Cal Fackler Johnson Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 17, 2023
3. Cal Johnson Building
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
