Lawrenceburg in Lawrence County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

James David Vaughan

1864~1941

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 26, 2009

1. James David Vaughan Marker

Inscription. Born in 1864, James D. Vaughan was a renowned gospel songwriter and publisher. In 1902 he founded the Vaughan Music Company in Lawrenceburg. In 1922, he established radio station WOAN, considered the first radio station licensed in Tennessee. In 1925, Vaughan had sixteen full~time gospel quartets touring the nation. Operating in Lawrenceburg until 1929, WOAN broadcasted gospel music throughout the South.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3F 43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 35° 14.418′ N, 87° 20.117′ W. Marker is in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, in Lawrence County. This historical marker is at the exact location of Vaughan Publishing Company where today stands an impressive SunTrust Bank branch office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Public Square, Lawrenceburg TN 38464, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James D. Vaughan (a few steps from this marker); Col. David Crockett (within shouting distance of this marker); Lawrence County War Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Trail of Tears Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Skirmish at Lawrenceburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson's Military Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse - Lawrence County Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); Mexican War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawrenceburg.

Additional commentary.
1. James D Vaughan
The Vaughan Museum is located on the Historic Public Square in Lawrenceburg, on the spot were Mr. Vaughan began the music school and publishing company, now upstairs in the Suntrust Bank Building. A James D. Vaughan Festival is held each July in Lawrenceburg, we invite you to attend.

— Submitted March 31, 2011.

James David Vaughan Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 26, 2010

2. James David Vaughan Plaque

James David Vaughan 1864-1941 Inducted in 1997 to Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame This plaque can be seen in Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, March 13, 2012

3. James David Vaughan Marker

James David Vaughan and the Vaughan Quartet circa 1910 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, March 13, 2012

4. James David Vaughan and the Vaughan Quartet circa 1910

Vaughan Quartet Here To Night Vaughan is the founder of the music known as Southern Gospel. From this location on the Square, Vaughn financed the first professional gospel quartets. Because of Vaughan and his many associates, the United States Congress has declared Lawrenceburg as the birthplace of Southern Gospel Music.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,394 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on March 10, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on October 6, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3, 4. submitted on March 16, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.