Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Billy Walker/Clara Smith

— Spartanburg Music Trail —

William Walker Marker (original) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 17, 2011

1. William Walker Marker (original)

Inscription. Billy Walker
1809-1875 William ("Singing Billy") Walker, perhaps South Carolina's most famous musician of his day, was a singing school teacher, composer, and collector of folksongs.

He published four shape-note tunebooks, bringing musical literacy to isolated churches across the country. His popular hymn book, Southern Harmony (1835), was the first to include "Amazing Grace" with its familiar tune.

Walker's bookstore was located near this site.

Clara Smith
1894-1935 Clara Smith was one of the best-known female blues singers of the 1920s. Born and raised in Spartanburg, she found early success in vaudeville, and later in Harlem.

Smith was billed as the "Queen of the Moaners," and recorded some 122 songs for Columbia Records, working for the likes of Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, and Lonnie Johnson.

Erected 2011 by Spartanburg Philharmonic.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 34° 56.96′ N, 81° 55.995′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is at the intersection

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of West Main Street and Magolia Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

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: Citizens & Southern National Bank (a few steps from this marker); 156 West Main Street (a few steps from this marker); Daniel Morgan Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Daniel Morgan Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaser the Border Collie (within shouting distance of this marker); Spartanburg Town Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); 135 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Spartanburg Water Works (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

More about this marker. To hear music samples by Walker, dial 864-607-9657 and press 3#; to hear Smith, dial 864-607-9657 and press 4#.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Spartanburg marker dedicated to Walker's gravesite.

Also see . . .
1. William Walker. William Walker (May 6, 1809 – September 24, 1875) was an American Baptist song leader, shape note "singing master", and compiler of four shape note tunebooks, most notable of which

Clara Smith Marker (original) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 17, 2011

2. Clara Smith Marker (original)

was The Southern Harmony. (Submitted on March 28, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Clara Smith. Clara Smith (c. 1894 – 2 February 1935) was an American blues singer. (Submitted on March 28, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

William Walker / Clara Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 17, 2011

3. William Walker / Clara Smith Marker

Billy Walker Marker (updated) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025

4. Billy Walker Marker (updated)

Updated Clara Smith Marker (updated) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025

5. Updated Clara Smith Marker (updated)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,513 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 28, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.