Sparta in White County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Lester Flatt

— June 19, 1914 - May 11, 1979 —

Photographed by Tom Gillard, November 15, 2009

1. Lester Flatt Marker

Inscription. He was born at Duncans Chapel near the boundary of Putnam and Overton Counties, Tennessee, and moved to Sparta at an early age where he made his permanent home. A bluegrass music pioneer and composer, Mr. Flatt was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and star of radio, television, and movies. He performed at Carnegie Hall and entertained audiences around the world as the "Baron of Bluegrass Music." He is buried in the Sparta Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2D 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list.

Location. 35° 55.475′ N, 85° 27.46′ W. Marker is in Sparta, Tennessee, in White County. It is at the intersection of W. Bockman Way (U.S. 70) and Baker Street, on the left when traveling east on W. Bockman Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparta TN 38583, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also 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: George Gibbs Dibrell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named

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Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); White County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); White County (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta.

Also see . . . Lester Flatt Biography. (Submitted on November 15, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)

Lester Flatt Brass Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, November 15, 2009

2. Lester Flatt Brass Marker

In front of Sparta Courthouse

Other side of brass marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, November 15, 2009

3. Other side of brass marker

Lester Flatt Grave image. Click for full size.

from Flatt web page, November 15, 2009

4. Lester Flatt Grave

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,002 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.