Near Oakville in Lawrence County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 8, 2009
1. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Marker
Inscription.
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens. . Born near this site 12 September 1913 to Henry Cleveland and Emma (Fitzgerald) Owens, who were sharecroppers and the offspring of freed slaves, Jesse was destined to attain immortality in the 1936 Olympic Games at Berlin, Germany. Although he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, at age 9, his early years here in Lawrence County, Alabama, helped mold his noble character. After high school, he enrolled at Ohio State where on 25 May 1935 at a Big Ten Conference meet, he broke and tied various world track and field records, thus beginning the legend. He married Minnie Ruth Solomon 10 August 1935. In August 1936, he achieved greatness, setting and tying several world records while winning four gold medals. Adolph Hitler, because of his racial views, stormed out of the arena refusing to present Jesse with his medals. He returned to the U.S. to a hero's welcome and a ticker tape parade. Due to the prevalent racism of the time however, he was able to obtain financial security only in later years. Four U.S. presidents honored him. Although he died 31 March 1980 at Tucson, Arizona, his memory will endure the ages.
Born near this site 12 September 1913 to Henry Cleveland and Emma (Fitzgerald) Owens, who were sharecroppers and the offspring of freed slaves, Jesse was destined to attain immortality in the 1936 Olympic Games at Berlin, Germany. Although he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, at age 9, his early years here in Lawrence County, Alabama, helped mold his noble character. After high school, he enrolled at Ohio State where on 25 May 1935 at a Big Ten Conference meet, he broke and tied various world track and field records, thus beginning the legend. He married Minnie Ruth Solomon 10 August 1935. In August 1936, he achieved greatness, setting and tying several world records while winning four gold medals. Adolph Hitler, because of his racial views, stormed out of the arena refusing to present Jesse with his medals. He returned to the U.S. to a hero's welcome and a ticker tape parade. Due to the prevalent racism of the time however, he was able to obtain financial security only in later years. Four U.S. presidents honored him. Although he died 31 March 1980 at Tucson, Arizona, his memory will endure the ages.
Erected 2000 by Lawrence County Historical Commission Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Heroes • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1980.
Location.
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34° 26.265′ N, 87° 10.184′ W. Marker is near Oakville, Alabama, in Lawrence County. Marker is on County Route 203. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7019 Co Rd 203, Danville AL 35619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Birth home restored
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 8, 2009
5. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Olympic Record Jump 26' 5 1/4"
Jesse Owens set the world record for the Long Jump in 1960 at 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m). That record stood for 25 years, broken by American Ralph Boston in 1960 at 26 ft 11¼ in (8.21 m).
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, October 13, 2010
6. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Plaque
This plaque can be seen at the Sports Hall of Fame next to the Civic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 27, 2021
7. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 27, 2021
8. Jesse Owens Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,172 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 7, 8. submitted on August 27, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
