Central Business District in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Luke Jordan, Blues Pioneer

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

1. Luke Jordan, Blues Pioneer Marker

Inscription. Singer-guitarist Luke Jordan (1892-1952) was a familiar presence on the streets of Lynchburg from the 1920s until World War II. Jordan and other African American musicians in the Southeast merged blues with an existing repertoire of ballads, ragtime, and tent-show songs, creating a syncopated and upbeat style now called Piedmont or East Coast Blues. The Victor Record Company, seeking blues artists to satisfy popular demand, recorded Jordan in 1927 and 1929, issuing classics such as "Church Bell Blues" and "Pick Poor Robin Clean." The Great Depression hurt sales and ended Jordan's career, but he remained an important and widely imitated Virginia blues musician.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-21.)

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 Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 37° 24.701′ N, 79° 8.212′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Horseford Road, on the left when traveling north on

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Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lynchburg VA 24504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lynchburg History (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucile Barrow Turner (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Percival's Island Overlook (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Lynchburg History (about 500 feet away); Diamond Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federal Transient Bureau Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cary DeVall Langhorne (1837-1948) (approx. ¼ mile away); Lucado House (1902) (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Jefferson St & Horseford Rd (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

2. Jefferson St & Horseford Rd (facing north)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 721 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.