Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Heroic Hooker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 23, 2023
1. Heroic Hooker Marker
“The Mansion,” one of the many brothels that lined Gayoso Avenue when prostitution was legal in the late 1800s, stood here. It was the home of madam Annie Cook, who died treating victims of the yellow fever epidemic after she turned her house into a hospital. She received a heroine's burial in Elmwood Cemetery.
Erected 2003 by Center City Commission. (Marker Number A-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, Memphis, Center City Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 35° 8.516′ N, 90° 3.207′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. Marker is at the intersection of South November 6th Street and Gayoso Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South November 6th Street. Marker is embedded in the sidewalk at the northwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Gayoso Ave, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lee Sisters (within shouting distance of this marker); Cora James (within shouting distance of this marker); Barboro Grocery
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Annie Cook. Tennessee Encyclopedia website entry:
When the yellow fever epidemic struck Memphis in 1873, Cook dismissed her girls, opened her elegant house to patients, and nursed them through the fever. She repeated her charitable act during the more devastating epidemic of 1878. (Randal Hall, Tennessee Encyclopedia, posted Oct. 8, 2017) (Submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Annie Cook (1840-1878). Find a Grave entry on the "nineteenth century Mary Madgelene." (Submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Yellow Fever ... the Plague of Memphis. Cook was among the more than 5,000 Memphians who died during the 1878 epidemic, but many more also died in other outbreaks that hit the city.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 23, 2023
2. Heroic Hooker Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
