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

Benjamin Albert Imes

Photographed by Steve Masler, May 28, 2015

1. Benjamin Albert Imes Marker

Inscription. Described as the best-educated minister in all of Memphis in 1880 was a black man, the Rev. Benjamin A. Imes, who was a noted city leader. Imes held two degrees from Oberlin College and was involved with an influential group that pushed for the integration of public facilities in Memphis during the late 19th century. The group met with its demise during the race riots of the 1880s. Imes was a minister of Second Congregational Church, founded in 1868.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 100.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 35° 7.173′ N, 90° 2.177′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. It is at the intersection of Walker Avenue and Porter Street, on the left when traveling east on Walker Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 762 Walker Avenue, Memphis TN 38126, 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,

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: Second Congregational Church (here, next to this marker); Hollis Freeman Price, Sr.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Edward Shaw (within shouting distance of this marker); Steele Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The 1960 Memphis Sit-In Movement (about 400 feet away); People's Grocery (about 700 feet away); LeMoyne Owen College (about 700 feet away); LeMoyne-Owen College (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Photographed by Steve Masler, May 28, 2015

2. Benjamin Albert Imes Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 892 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.