Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
“Ma" Rainey Home
Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011
1. “Ma" Rainey Home Marker
Gertrude Pridgett “Ma” Rainey, 1886-1939, famed “Mother of the Blues”, lived in this house after 1935, during retirement in her native city. In 1904 she introduced “blues” as part of her traveling act. For 30 years her performances contributed to the growing popularity of this truly American music form. A pioneer female recording artist, she made 94 blues records for Paramount before 1928. At least 47 were her compositions. Managing her own band, she encouraged younger musicians including Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, and Bessie Smith. Her grave is in nearby Porterdale Cemetery.
Erected 1988 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Friends of Ma Rainey.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 32° 27.676′ N, 84° 59.182′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is on 5th Avenue 0 miles north of 8th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 803 5th Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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 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: The Spencer House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friendship Baptist Church
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on May 27, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
2. Louis Armstrong & Ma Rainey performing - You Tube. (Submitted on May 27, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011
2. “Ma" Rainey Home Marker
Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011
3. “Ma" Rainey Home Marker
Looking north on Fifth Avenue, toward downtown Columbus.
Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011
4. “Ma" Rainey Home and Marker
The home is now a museum, with exhibits from "Ma" Rainey's life.
courtesy of Wikipedia
5. Gertrude Pridgett “Ma” Rainey
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,097 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 21, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
