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

Birthplace of Aretha Franklin

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 3, 2017

1. Birthplace of Aretha Franklin Marker

Inscription. Aretha Franklin was born in this house on March 25, 1942, to Baptist Bishop C.L. and Barbara Franklin. Ms. Franklin is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She began her career as a child singing gospel at her father's church, New Salem Baptist, located not far from here on Latham Street. At the age of 18, Ms. Franklin embarked on a secular career. She would leave Memphis and go on to become one of America's greatest singers. Memphis, Tennessee loves and honors our hometown singer the "Queen of Soul", Ms. Aretha Franklin.

Erected 2017 by The City of Memphis.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1942.

Location. 35° 6.848′ N, 90° 2.925′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker is at the intersection of Lucy Street, on the left when traveling east on Lucy Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Lucy Avenue, Memphis TN 38106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mason Temple (approx. half a mile away); Bishop Charles Harrison Mason (approx. half

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a mile away); WHER - The Nation's First All Girl Radio Station (approx. 0.6 miles away); Robert Karriem (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Joseph Edison Walker (approx. 0.7 miles away); People's Grocery (approx. 0.7 miles away); The University of West Tennessee (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Memphis Officials to Help Save Aretha Franklin's Birthplace. (Submitted on August 3, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)
2. Memphis Heritage Stabilizes Aretha Franklin Home in "Guerilla Preservation" Action. (Submitted on August 3, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)
3. Aretha Franklin at Wikipedia. Excerpt:

Aretha's father’s emotionally driven sermons resulted in his being known as the man with the “million-dollar voice.” He earned thousands of dollars for sermons in various churches across the country. His fame led to his home being visited by various celebrities. Among the visitors were gospel musicians Clara Ward, James Cleveland, and early Caravans members Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke all became friends of C. L. Franklin, as well.

(Submitted on March 25, 2023.)

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 3, 2017

2. Birthplace of Aretha Franklin Marker

Birthplace of Aretha Franklin image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 3, 2017

3. Birthplace of Aretha Franklin

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 3, 2017

4. Birthplace of Aretha Franklin

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 3, 2017

5. Birthplace of Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin in 1967 image. Click for full size.

Atlantic Records trade ad photo (CC0 1.0) via Wikimedia Commons, July 15, 1967

6. Aretha Franklin in 1967

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,201 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 3, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. 6. submitted on March 25, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.