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

Tom Lee

1885-1952

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 5, 2026

1. Tom Lee Marker, Side One

Inscription.
Born February 18, 1885, in Hopefield, Arkansas. Tom Lee became a Memphis hero through an extraordinary act of bravery when he rescued 32 people from drowning in the Mississippi River on May 8, 1925. The M.E. Norman steamboat had capsized with members of the Engineers' Club of Memphis aboard when Lee, an African American who did not know how to swim, risked his own life. In gratitude, the Club coordinated a national fundraiser to buy him a home in Klondike, a neighborhood created for African American homeowners in Memphis. Continued

(Reverse Side)
Tom Lee died on April 1, 1952, and was interred in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Today, Tom Lee's home in the historic Klondike neighborhood symbolizes the valiant efforts of many African American leaders in Memphis to serve their community with courage and compassion even in the most challenging circumstances.

Erected 2026 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 191.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1925.

Location. 35° 9.83′ N, 90° 0.668′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. It is on North Mansfield Street south of Vollintine Ave, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 923 N Mansfield St, Memphis TN 38107, 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

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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Memphis 13/Gordon Elementary School (approx. 0.8 miles away); William Herbert Brewster, Sr. (approx. one mile away); Porter-Leath Children's Center (approx. 1.2 miles away); Tennessee Williams Play (approx. 1.2 miles away); Isaac Hayes (approx. 1.3 miles away); Manassas High School / The Cora P. Taylor Auditorium (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fargason Fields (approx. 1.3 miles away); William Neely Mallory (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Plastic Products Record Plant (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Tom Lee Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 5, 2026

2. Tom Lee Marker, Side Two

Tom Lee Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 5, 2026

3. Tom Lee Marker

View of Marker on Mansfield Street

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 5, 2026

4. Tom Lee Marker

Tom Lee's former home in the Klondike Neighborhood of Memphis. See mural on the front of the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2026, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 19, 2026, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.