South Pittsburg in Marion County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Hiram Beene Moore, M.D.

1914-2005

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 10, 2025

1. Hiram Beene Moore, M.D. Marker

Inscription. Upon completing his MD degree in 1944, Dr. Moore interned at Lincoln Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Returning home, he opened his practice a year later and treated patients regardless of race. In 1958 Mayor Lew W. Loyd named Moore as the first African American to serve on the Housing Authority. The National Medical Association honored him in 1964 as “General Practitioner of the Year,” and the city named Moore Park in his honor. He served on the Lodge Manufacturing Company board of directors. In 1999 the city dedicated its clock in his honor. Dr. Moore closed his medical practice in 2002. He died three years later on August 9, 2005.

Erected 2025 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2B 37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 2005.

Location. 35° 0.808′ N, 85° 42.342′ W. Marker is in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, in Marion County. It is on Elm Avenue south of 2nd Street, on the right

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when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Elm Ave, South Pittsburg TN 37380, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 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: James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marion Post No. 62 (about 400 feet away); Christ Church Episcopal (about 500 feet away); Christmas Night Shootout (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of Jobyna Lancaster Ralston-Arlen (about 700 feet away); Sequatchie Valley Tennessee (approx. 0.2 miles away); McReynolds High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort McCook (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Pittsburg.

Also see . . . Black Doctor In White Town Made Patients Color-Blind.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 10, 2025

2. Hiram Beene Moore, M.D. Marker

In this foundry town on the Tennessee-Alabama line, the grandson of slaves was respected behind closed doors, invited into white lives long enough to heal, then pushed away. But with every baby delivered, every throat swabbed, every earache cured, Moore chipped away at the racism that divided him from his patients. (Rachel Zoll, The Associated Press; via The Seattle Times, Oct. 17, 1999) (Submitted on May 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 148 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.