Brownsville in Haywood County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Twenty
North Washington Avenue
| | 1872 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 28, 2025
1. The Twenty Marker
Goods and Grocery
Originally part of Lot #11 on the town plat, Simon Greenwald sold the lot to James A. Wilder and Phillip Yancey in 1872. In the same year, the city directory lists three Levy's operating a grocery store on the west side of the square. The Levy's (first Jewish Immigrants locating to Brownsville, TN) were already engaged in the grocery business in Brownsville. On May 1, 1888, Jacob and Leopold purchased the property from James A. Wilder and wife. Jacob soon died, leaving Leopold as his executor. On the 17th of May, 1892 Leopold gifted the lot and house to his wife Emelia. That deed specifies that Leopold was in business with his brother Jacob, then deceased, that he had inherited the property in which they had jointly owned the business: J. Levy & Bro.
Issac Levy continued in his father's business until the 1950's. The TWENTY is architecturally important as it's the last surviving 19th century building on this block. It is culturally historic because of its role in the Jewish migration to Brownsville in the 19th century.
Erected 2024.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 35° 35.655′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Felsenthal's (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lot Number 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting for Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.
Also see . . . Jewish Settlement in Tennessee (Encyclopedia of Tennessee).
(by Peter J. Haas) Excerpt: The settlement of Jews in Tennessee reflected the larger migration and settlement patterns of Jews within the United States over the(Submitted on November 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)last two centuries. These patterns created distinctive forms of Jewish life in the major Jewish communities of Tennessee: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 28, 20252. The Twenty MarkerThe marker is mounted at eye-level on the northwest corner of the building.
The earliest Jewish settlers arrived in Tennessee in the 1830s and 1840s, having fled the political turmoil of German-speaking areas with other Central Europeans. Most Jewish immigrants of this period came from small towns and villages and, in general, were not Orthodox in religious practice. Often they were drawn to the South because of its rural character, warmer climate, and economic opportunities. Many established themselves as peddlers, shopkeepers, and artisans as they gradually spread into the small southern towns and cities. A number of Jewish merchants founded successful shops and general stores throughout the state, but especially in West Tennessee, including Schwab's (Memphis), Levy's (Halls), Kahn's (Bolivar), Felsenthal's (Brownsville), and Freed's (Trenton).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 28, 2025
3. The Twenty (north/front elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 28, 2025
4. The Twenty (northwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
