Clarksdale in Coahoma County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

W. C. Handy

— 1873 - 1958 —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

1. W. C. Handy Marker

Inscription. "Father of the Blues" composer and family lived at this site 1903-05. In Clarksdale Handy was influenced by Delta blues which he collected and later published as well as his own famous and influential music.

Erected 1981 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list.

Location. 34° 12.071′ N, 90° 34.321′ W. Marker is in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in Coahoma County. It is at the intersection of Issaquena Avenue and Blues Alley, on the right when traveling south on Issaquena Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 317 Issaquena Avenue, Clarksdale MS 38614, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Memphis.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

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: Wade Walton (a few steps from this marker); Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ike Turner (about 500 feet away); Delta Blues Museum (about 500 feet away); Sam Cooke (about 600 feet away); WROX Radio

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Aaron Henry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Aaron Henry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksdale.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Story of W.C. Handy. (Submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia article on W.C. Handy. (Submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Former W. C. Handy family home site. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

2. Former W. C. Handy family home site.

William Christopher Handy image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. William Christopher Handy

View of marker looking north on Issaquena Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

4. View of marker looking north on Issaquena Avenue.

View of nearby Blues marker and southerly on Issaquena Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

5. View of nearby Blues marker and southerly on Issaquena Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 763 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.