Jackson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Austin Raymond Merry

1854 - 1920

Photographed by Ken Smith, June 29, 2013

1. Austin Raymond Merry Marker

Inscription. When the Jackson school system organized in 1879, the first black educator and principal hired was Austin Raymond Merry. Professor Merry pioneered the development of the first school for African Americans in Madison County. He established the South Jackson School for Colored which was the forerunner of what was to become Merry High School.

Professor Merry received his B.A. and Masters degrees from Fisk Univerity in the 1800's and was the first African American in Jackson, Madison County to have a college degree. Mr. Merry dedicated his life to making a quality education available to Jackson and Madison County Black youth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 35° 36.185′ N, 88° 48.831′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of South Highland Avenue (U.S. 45) and South Royal Street, on the right when traveling north on South Highland Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 S Highland Ave, Jackson TN 38301, 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,

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: The Electro Chalybeate Well (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Spoke Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Christine Chatman

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Mabel Louise "Big Maybelle" Smith (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mother Liberty CME Church (approx. half a mile away); Former Site of Merry High School (approx. half a mile away); Butler Race Track c. 1825 / Memphis Conference Female Institute 1843-1923 (approx. 0.6 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Austin Raymond Merry Boulevard & Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ken Smith, June 29, 2013

2. Austin Raymond Merry Boulevard & Marker

Austin Raymond Merry image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Austin Raymond Merry

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2013, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,861 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2013, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.