Cookeville in Putnam County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Israel Putnam

1718-1790

Photographed by Tom Gillard, February 13, 2010

1. Israel Putnam Marker

Inscription. Putnam County, created in 1842 and re-established in 1854, was named for Major General Israel Putnam, who was commissioned on June 19, 1775 by the Continental Congress. A popular hero of the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Gen. Putnam became famous for saying, " Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2D 46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Political Subdivisions • War, French and Indian • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1890.

Location. 36° 9.754′ N, 85° 29.96′ W. Marker is in Cookeville, Tennessee, in Putnam County. It is at the intersection of East Broad Street and U.S. 136, on the right when traveling east on East Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cookeville TN 38501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Putnam County Revolutionary Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Putnam County POW * MIA Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Putnam County Courthouse (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Putnam County's Third and Fourth Courthouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Putnam County Courthouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to the Memory of Jere Whitson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Putnam County Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cookeville.

Also see . . .
1. Israel Putnam. Website detailing the life of Putnam. (Submitted on February 13, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)

2. Israel Putnam and the Battle of Breeds Hill. (Submitted on February 13, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Gillard, February 13, 2010

2. Israel Putnam Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,539 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on July 15, 2014, by Deanna Lack of Sparta, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 13, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.