Columbia in Maury County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

A.J. Morton Funeral Home

By Tom Bosse, July 3, 2016

1. A.J. Morton Funeral Home Marker

Inscription. In 1891 former slave J.M. Morton established the first undertaking business to serve African Americans in Maury County. Known later as A.J. Morton E Sons Funeral Home, descendants of Morton owned and operated the business for almost 100 years. Located in the center of the African American business district, this funeral home was vandalized during the 1946 Columbia Race Riot. Owner James E. Morton was charged as an accessory before the fact in connection with the riot but was acquitted. This incident was the first major post World War II racial incident in the state which demonstrated African American's willingness to openly oppose de jure segregation.

Erected by Tennesse Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3D 83.)

Location. 35° 36.8′ N, 87° 1.967′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Tennessee, in Maury County. Marker is on East 8th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. The opposite side of this marker is titled, "1946 Columbia Race Riot". Marker is in this post office area: Columbia TN 38401, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 1946 Columbia Race Riot (here, next to this marker); James K. Polk House (approx. 0.3

By Tom Bosse, July 3, 2016

2. A.J. Morton Funeral Home Marker

miles away); James Knox Polk (approx. 0.3 miles away); Columbia Military Academy (approx. 1.4 miles away); Historic Elm Springs (approx. 2 miles away); Hood and Schofield (approx. 2 miles away); Road to Nashville (approx. 2.6 miles away); Joseph Brown (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Also see . . . Columbia Race Riots. (Submitted on August 21, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Categories. • African Americans • Civil Rights •

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 21, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 21, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.