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

Winchester Cemetery

Photographed by Steve Masler, September 3, 2015

1. Winchester Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The Winchester New Burying Grounds was established in 1828 as the first cemetery by Andrew Jackson, John Overton, and James Winchester, the three original land owners of Memphis. At that time, the city government was less than two years old. Prior to this there was a small cemetery at Poplar and Third. Through the 1830's, the 40's and 50's Winchester was the principal city cemetery. The last burial there was in 1874. The cemetery occupied 10.82 acres bounded by what is now Lane Ave. on the south, the old L&N railroad on the north, Danny Thomas Blvd. on the west, and Manassas St. on the east.

As a result of neglect and vandalism beginning during the Yellow Fever epidemics, the cemetery went to ruins. The desecration resulted in protests by citizens and lawsuits by relatives. In 1931 a park was established on the 7 acres that you now see. Among those buried there were the victims of the Helen McGregor Steamboat disaster, William Lawrence, the first city surveyor, Henry Van Pelt, the first editor of the Appeal, and Marcus Winchester, our first mayor who in 1819 set up the first store in Memphis and in 1821 the first post office.

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Winchester's grave is located under what is now the city garage on the west side of the property.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 35° 9.126′ N, 90° 2.168′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. It is at the intersection of Lane Ave. and St. Jude Place, on the right when traveling north on Lane Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38105, 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: New Winchester Burying Ground

Winchester Cemetery Marker along Lane Road at Winchester Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, September 3, 2015

2. Winchester Cemetery Marker along Lane Road at Winchester Park

(within shouting distance of this marker); St.Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis to Peoria Run (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Mary's Cathedral Chapel and Diocesan House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Collins Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Humes High School (approx. half a mile away); Poplar Tunes / One-Stop Shop (approx. half a mile away); Woodruff - Fontaine House (approx. half a mile away); Mallory-Neely House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Winchester Cemetery at Winchester Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, September 3, 2015

3. Winchester Cemetery at Winchester Park

City Garage over the grave of Marcus Winchester at Winchester Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, September 3, 2015

4. City Garage over the grave of Marcus Winchester at Winchester Cemetery

Postcard of Old Winchester Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler

5. Postcard of Old Winchester Cemetery

taken 1840. from http://memphislibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15342coll3/id/107/rec/6

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,844 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 4, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.