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

People's Grocery

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

1. People's Grocery Marker

Inscription. Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Will Stewart, all African-Americans and co-owners of People's Grocery (located at this site), were arrested in connection with a disturbance near their store. Rather than being brought to trial, they were lynched on March 9, 1892. Moss' dying words were, "Tell my people to go west--there is no justice for them here." This lynching prompted Ida B. Wells, editor of Memphis Free Speech, to begin her anti-lynching campaign in this country and abroad.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 106.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1892.

Location. 35° 7.163′ N, 90° 2.316′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker is at the intersection of Mississippi Boulevard and Walker Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Mississippi Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1026 Mississippi Boulevard, Memphis TN 38126, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Congregational Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Benjamin Albert Imes

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 700 feet away); Hollis Freeman Price, Sr. (about 700 feet away); Edward Shaw (approx. 0.2 miles away); Steele Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 1960 Memphis Sit-In Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Joseph Edison Walker (approx. 0.2 miles away); LeMoyne Owen College (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on the People's Grocery. (Submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Historic Memphis on the People's Grocery. (Submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
3. TSDtv: History Hidden In Plain Sight — The People's Grocery (YouTube video). (Submitted on March 30, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Location of former People's Grocery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

2. Location of former People's Grocery.

The view north on Mississippi Boulevard. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

3. The view north on Mississippi Boulevard.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.