Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Tom Lee Monument
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, April 8, 2008
1. Tom Lee Monument Marker Text
Late afternoon of May 8, 1925, Tom Lee (1886-1952) steered his 28' skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena.
Also on the river was a steamboat, the M. E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families.
Lee witnessed the Norman capsize in the swift current 15 miles downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died.
For his heroism, Lee received many honors and awards. In 1954, this park was renamed and an obelisk was erected in his memory.
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Heroes • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1869.
Location. 35° 8.119′ N, 90° 3.882′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It can be reached from Riverside Drive.
this page online
Regionally, this marker and monument 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: Tom Lee Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of First Memphis Telephone (approx. Ό mile away); The Blues Foundation (approx. 0.3 miles away); Arcade Restaurant (approx. 0.4 miles away); Founders Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Modern Movie~Making In Memphis (approx. 0.4 miles away); Founders Park Banners
Photographed by Mary Johnston-Clark, November 18, 2006
2. Tom Lee Monument
The Tom Lee Monument by sculptor David Alan Clark is sited on the banks of the Mississippi River. Visitors are encouraged to walk up to the figure of Lee, reaching out from his boat, and grasp his hand. The waterline of the boat is at visitor's eye level, and the plaza is etched with river currants, giving visitors the feeling of being in the water awaiting rescue.
More about this marker. The sculptural monument is a complement to the original obelisk, reconstructed after damage from "Hurricane Elvis" - both monuments now stand in Tom Lee Park. See the Tom Lee Monument in the Other nearby markers section above.
Regarding Tom Lee Monument. The Tom Lee monument was selected as the site of a 2008 ceremony to honor Dr. Martin Luther King by Amnesty International, working with the National Civil Rights Museum, AFSCME Local 1733, the Memphis chapter of the NAACP, Southwest Tennessee Community College and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The Tom Lee Recognitions will honor local civil rights champions.
Also see . . . Tom Lee. Tom Lee Park website entry (Submitted on May 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Mary Johnston-Clark, November 5, 2006
3. Tom Lee Monument Marker
View towards the city of Memphis.
Photographed by Mary Johnston-Clark
4. Tom Lee Monument
Detail of Tom Lee.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2008, by Mary Johnston-Clark of Lander, Wyoming. This page has been viewed 2,144 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on May 3, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2010. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2008, by Mary Johnston-Clark of Lander, Wyoming. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
