Downtown in Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Adolph Simon Ochs

1858-1935

— Historic Site In Journalism —

Adolph Simon Ochs Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, March 30, 2025

1. Adolph Simon Ochs Marker

Inscription. Influential publisher of The New York Times and patriarch of the family that still runs it, Ochs began his career in journalism in Knoxville at age 11. He got his first newspaper experience as a paperboy for the Knoxville Chronicle, whose editor and publisher was Capt. William Rule. The paper was then on Market Square near Asylum (now Wall Avenue). He worked as a "printer's devil," an office boy and apprentice. By age 16, he was an experienced printer. The talented young journalist saw an opportunity to take control of the Chattanooga Times in 1878. In 1896, at age 38, he bought the New York Times, improving the paper with many of its familiar features and promoting it with the new Times Square, where he hosted its first New Year's Eve celebrations. His father, Julius, was co-founder of Knoxville's first synagogue, Temple Beth El.

Erected 2022 by East Tennessee Professional Chapter, Society of Professional Journalism.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 35° 57.963′ N, 83° 55.165′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Strong Street and Wall Street on Strong Street. The marker is at the intersection of Wall Street and Graffiti Alley, which runs between Wall & Strong Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Strong Street, Knoxville TN 37902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

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

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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: St. James Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Robert Birdwell (within shouting distance of this marker); Elvis Presley (within shouting distance of this marker); Cormac McCarthy (within shouting distance of this marker); David Madden (within shouting distance of this marker); James Agee (within shouting distance of this marker); Knoxville's Market House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Robert Birdwell (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Additional keywords. journalism

Marker at entrance to Graffiti Alley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, March 30, 2025

2. Marker at entrance to Graffiti Alley

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2025, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.