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

Zion Cemetery

Photographed by Steve Masler, July 28, 2015

1. Zion Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Zion Cemetery, comprising 15 acres, was established in 1876 by the United Sons of Zion Association, a group of former slaves who responded to the need for a respectable burial site for African-Americans. It is the final resting place for many outstanding citizens, including Georgia Patton Washington (1864-1900), who was one of the first female African-American physicians, and Thomas F. Gassels (1850-1903), who was Assistant Attorney General of Shelby County and a member of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 94.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 35° 6.564′ N, 90° 0.878′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of South Parkway East and Pillow Street, on the left when traveling east on South Parkway East. Marker is inside the cemetery fence. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38106, 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chew C. Sawyer (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Moss ~ Calvin McDowell ~ William Henry Stewart

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(within shouting distance of this marker); G. P. Hamilton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Calvary Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Tennessee Williams’ First Play (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Memphis 13/Rozelle Elementary School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stax Recording Studios (approx. one mile away); Marion Scudder Griffin (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Find A Grave Link. (Submitted on July 29, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)
2. Zion Cemetery Video. Many of the scenes were shot before the cemetery restoration project began (Submitted on July 29, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)

3. Zion Community Project. After many decades of use, Zion Cemetery fell into disuse and became overgrown with vegetation. The Zion Cemetery Project works to clear the cemetery and maintain this important Memphis heritage location, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990. (Submitted on July 29, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Steve Masler, July 28, 2015

2. Zion Cemetery Marker

Zion Cemetery Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, July 28, 2015

3. Zion Cemetery Entrance

Zion Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, July 28, 2015

4. Zion Cemetery

Fallen Stone, Zion Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, July 28, 2015

5. Fallen Stone, Zion Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 704 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 29, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.