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

Thomas Alva Edison

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 20, 2014

1. Thomas Alva Edison Marker

Inscription. In 1865-66 Edison was military telegraph operator with the Federal occupation army, working in a building formerly at the east corner of North Court and November 6 Streets, and boarding next door. Trying to invent an auto-repeat key, he managed to connect New Orleans with New York directly for the first time after the war. As a result, he was discharged by a jealous superior, and he left Memphis.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 69.)

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 2002.

Location. 35° 8.786′ N, 90° 3.084′ W. Memorial is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is on North Court Street west of North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is across the street from the Court Square Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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 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 walking distance of this marker: 128 Court Street (a few steps from this marker); Tennessee Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Piggly Wiggly (within shouting distance

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of this marker); James H. Malone (within shouting distance of this marker); Court Square Saved (within shouting distance of this marker); First Tennessee Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); WMC Radio Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hattie Manely (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 20, 2014

2. Thomas Alva Edison Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,044 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.