Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
"The Tree of Strange Fruit"
Sculpture created by Larry Lugar
| | Installed 2021 | |
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 2, 2024
1. "The Tree of Strange Fruit" Marker
1889-1896 People's grocery lynchings - Ida B. Wells becomes partner and editor of "The Free Speech and Headlight" newspaper and begins her anti-lynching crusade in earnest
Lynchings - 876
1897-1901 Ida B. Wells publishes the anti-lynching pamphlet "A Red Record"- meets with President McKinley to speak out against lynchings. Ms. Wells (IOLA) declared "Princess of the Press"
Lynchings - 629
1902-1906 Ida B. Wells increases visits to cities and areas of continued conflict as well as sites of unrest and lynchings - protesting against mistreatment and advocating for equality
Lynchings - 401
1907-1911 Ida B. Wells joins in founding the NAACP and redoubles her writing and protests
Lynchings - 383
1912-1916 Ida B. Wells continues activism and awareness through protests and marching for suffrage
Lynchings - 294
1917-1921 WWI ends and black troops return home to face increased racism and injustice. Ida B. Wells efforts to support women's right to vote succeeds with ratification of 19th Amendment
Lynchings - 310
1922-1930 Ida B. Wells travels to Arkansas to investigate the Elaine Black Farmers Massacre and published the pamphlet titled "The
this page online
Lynchings - 211
1931 Ida B. Wells transitions after a long life dedicated to advocating for permanent social change and the erradication of systemic racism and lynchings
Lynchings - 13
*-adapted from a quote by Ida B. Wells
Erected 2021.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Women.
Location. 35° 8.347′ N, 90° 2.941′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is at the intersection of Beale Street and South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east on Beale Street. Marker is located at Ida B. Wells Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 357 Beale St, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Upper South, in the Mississippi Delta, and in the Great River Road Region. 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: Ida B. Wells (here, next to this marker); Memphis Heritage Trail/Ida B. Wells (within shouting distance of this marker); Beale Street Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Solvent Savings Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); This Plaque is Dedicated to Father and Son, Leaders of Their Race (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 2, 2024
2. "The Tree of Strange Fruit" Marker
Marker is located at Ida B. Wells Plaza.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
