Near Philadelphia in Neshoba County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Freedom Summer Murders

Photographed By Kianna Smith

1. Freedom Summer Murders Marker

Inscription. On June 21, 1964 voting rights activists John Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who had come here to investigate the burning of Mt. Zion Church, were murdered. Victims of a Klan conspiracy, their deaths provoked national outrage and led to the first successful federal prosecution of a civil rights case in Mississippi.

Erected 1989 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1964.

Location. 32° 39.818′ N, 89° 1.88′ W. Marker is near Philadelphia, Mississippi, in Neshoba County. Marker is at the intersection of Mississippi Route 19 and County Road 515, on the left when traveling north on State Route 19. About 7 miles S of Philadelphia city limits. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia MS 39350, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner Murder Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Boler's Inn (approx. 8.2 miles away); Philadelphia Historic District (approx. 8.4 miles away); Marty Stuart

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(approx. 8.7 miles away); Neshoba County Confederate Monument (approx. 8.8 miles away); Old Neshoba County Jail (approx. 8.8 miles away); Adam Monroe Byrd (approx. 8.9 miles away); Marty Gamblin (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Additional commentary.
1.
The Freedom Summer was about college students helping register as many black's to vote as possible. Local white members of the community (including the Sheriff, KKK members) opposed of black's voting. They bombed several churches, business, homes of blacks and voter's were arrested.
On June 21,1964 in Neshoba County, MS. Three civil rights members, James Chaney 19, Andrew Goodman 19 and Mickey Schwerner 25,(one black & two white) came to help register black's to vote. They went to investigate a bombing at Mt. Zion United Methodist near Philadelphia, MS. They were arrested by a Deputy Sheriff. They were released at 10:30 that night and a gang off white man including law enforcement officials took them and murdered them on a gravel road. Because of their deaths the FBI was involved (mostly because

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2023

2. Freedom Summer Murders Marker

two white young men were killed), this murder was getting national attention and so was the civil rights movement. This also led to the first successful federal prosecution of a civil rights case in Mississippi.

— Submitted October 23, 2012, by Kianna Smith of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Freedom Summer Murders Marker at Mount Zion United Methodist Church. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2023

3. Freedom Summer Murders Marker at Mount Zion United Methodist Church.

Memorial at foot of marker to the 3 slain civil rights activists. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2023

4. Memorial at foot of marker to the 3 slain civil rights activists.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2012, by Kianna Smith of Benton Harbor, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,698 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 22, 2012, by Kianna Smith of Benton Harbor, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.