Near Philadelphia in Neshoba County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner Murder Site

September 24, 2015

1. Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner Murder Site Marker

Inscription. On June 21, 1964, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered near here by members of the Ku Klux Klan and local law enforcement. They were volunteers for Mississippi Freedom Summer, a drive to register black voters. While investigating the burning of nearby Mount Zion Church, they were arrested and shot. Their bodies were found August 4, 1964. Though no one was indicted for their murder until 2005, the crime sparked national outrage that helped spur passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Erected 2013 by Mississsippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1964.

Location. 32° 39.812′ N, 89° 1.898′ W. Marker is near Philadelphia, Mississippi, in Neshoba County. It is at the intersection of County Road 515 and State Highway 19, on the right when traveling west on County Road 515. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia MS 39350, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Mississippi. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Freedom Summer Murders (within shouting distance of this marker); Boler's Inn

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(approx. 8.2 miles away); Philadelphia Historic District (approx. 8.4 miles away); Marty Stuart (approx. 8.7 miles away); Neshoba County Confederate Monument (approx. 8.8 miles away); Old Neshoba County Jail (approx. 8.8 miles away); Adam Monroe Byrd (approx. 8.9 miles away); Marty Gamblin (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2016. This page has been viewed 5,571 times since then and 391 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 19, 2016. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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