Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 29, 2026

1. Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars Marker

Inscription. The vintage cars in the parking lot represent the vehicles parked at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was killed. The wreath on the balcony is a replica—the original was placed here on April 8, 1968, during a memorial service. The marble marker was placed on the site that same day.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Martin Luther King, Jr. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1968.

Location. 35° 8.075′ N, 90° 3.465′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is on Mulberry Street north of Butler Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is near the entrance to the National Civil Rights Museum, just below the Lorraine Motel balcony where Martin Luther King was assassinated. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Mulberry Street, 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

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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: Here, on April 4, 1968 … / … Today, a Place of Remembrance (here, next to this marker); Martin Luther King, Jr. (here, next to this marker); The Lorraine Motel (a few steps from this marker); Founders Park Banners (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome To The National Civil Rights Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blues Foundation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); WLOK Radio Station (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

More about this marker. This marker originally had a photograph on its left side, but as of March 2026 it was almost completely faded. It’s not certain

Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 29, 2026

2. Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars

what photo it was.

Regarding Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars. The cars, replicas of the ones visible in the famed photographs of the Lorraine Motel in the immediate aftermath of Martin Luther King's assassination, are a 1959 Dodge and a 1968 Cadillac.

Also see . . . A Safe Place. A photographer writes on Art 21 about taking pictures of the cars in front of the National Civil Rights Museum.

Excerpt: “Perhaps because of the assignment I was given, my attention went to the two cars stationed in front: a 1959 Dodge Royal with lime-green fins and a white 1968 Cadillac, replicas of the vehicles that were parked under the balcony of Room 306 at the time of Dr. King’s death. Somewhat oddly, the website of the museum states that the cars 'have no historical significance' but are simply 'intended to orient visitors to the time period in which they are about to enter.'”

(Submitted on April 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 29, 2026

3. Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars

The marker is affixed to the stone wall outside the building (just right of the bigger historical marker). The wreath on the balcony denotes Room 306, where Martin Luther King was staying when he was assassinated outside his room on April 4, 1968.

National Civil Rights Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 29, 2026

4. National Civil Rights Museum

The museum is located at the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.