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North Capitol in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
 

Tomb of James Knox Polk

James Knox Polk,

— President of the U.S. Born Nov. 2, 1795, Died June 15, 1849. —

 
 
Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 15, 2015
1. Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker
Inscription.
The mortal remains of
James Knox Polk
are resting in the vault beneath.
He was born in MecKlenburg County
North Carolina
and emigrated with his father
Samuel Polk to Tennessee
in 1806.
The beauty of virtue
was illustrated in his life,
The excellence of Christianity
was exemplified in his death.

Sarah Childress
Wife of James Knox Polk
1803 – 1891

By his public policy he defined,
established and extended the
boundaries of his Country.
He planted the laws of the
American Union
on the shores of the PACIFIC.
His influence and his Counsels
united to organize the
National Treasury
on the principles of the
Constitution,
and to apply the rule of
Freedom to Navigation,
Trade and
Industry.

His life was devoted to
the public service. He was elevated
successively to the first
places in the State and Federal
Governments. A member of the
General Assembly,
a member of Congress and
Chairman of the most important
Congressional Committees:
Speaker of the House of
Representatives
Governor of Tennessee and
President of the
United States

“Asleep in Jesus.”
Sarah Childress Polk,
Wife
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this page online
of
James Knox Polk.
Born in Rutherford County Tenn.,
Sept. 4, 1803,
Died at Polk Place Nashville Tenn.,
August 14, 1891.
A noble woman, a devoted wife, a true
friend, a sincere Christian.
“Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord.”

 
Erected 1849.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & PoliticsWar, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1921.
 
Location. 36° 10′ N, 86° 47.036′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in North Capitol. It can be reached from Charlotte Avenue. The tomb is located on the eastern grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in
Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 15, 2015
2. Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker
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: Holy Rosary Cathedral (a few steps from this marker); William Strickland 1788-1864 (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Governors, Two Governments (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Dold Morgan 1798-1880 (about 400 feet away); Andrew Johnson (about 400 feet away); We Must Never Forget (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
 
Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 15, 2015
3. Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker
Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 15, 2015
4. Tomb of James Knox Polk Marker
Wide view of the Tomb of James Knox Polk image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 15, 2015
5. Wide view of the Tomb of James Knox Polk
Tomb of James Knox Polk at Polk Place. image. Click for full size.
Library of Congress, ca. 1864
6. Tomb of James Knox Polk at Polk Place.
President Polk was originally buried at his home ("Polk Place") at Union Street between 7th and Polk Avenue in Nashville. After his wife's death, the home was sold and their graves moved to the Tennessee State Capitol grounds in 1893.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,039 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 15, 2026