Clinton in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Rev. Paul W. Turner

1923~1980

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 16, 2024

1. The Rev. Paul W. Turner Marker

Inscription. Upset by segregationists who intimidated 12 African American pupils at Clinton High School who refused to return to classes, the Reverend Paul Turner, pastor of Clinton's First Baptist Church, met with the pupils on December 4, 1956, when he and two other men from Clinton, escorted six African American students to Clinton High School. Segregationists beat Turner as he walked away. In August, Clinton became the first Tennessee state-funded public school to desegregate. Rev. Turner's courageous walk enabled Bobby Cain, one of the "Clinton 12", to become the first African American to graduate from Clinton High School on May 17, 1957.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1D 49.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1957.

Location. 36° 6.076′ N, 84° 7.872′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is on North Charles G Seivers Boulevard (Tennessee Route 61) north of Kincaid Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 230 N Charles G Seivers Blvd, Clinton TN 37716, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in Greater Knoxville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: A different marker also named The Rev. Paul W. Turner (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Pearls (about 600 feet away); Clinton Hardware Co. (about 700 feet away); Tennessee Electric Power Co. (about 700 feet away); Sawyer Building (about 700 feet away); Medaris Café Building (about 700 feet away); Anderson County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Union Bank / Parker Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 16, 2024

2. The Rev. Paul W. Turner Marker

of all markers in Clinton.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.