On West Main Street at Baptist Street on West Main Street.
After the February 1862 Union victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, Gen. Don Carlos Buell’s army occupied Nashville while Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s army penetrated to Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. Buell and Grant planned to attack the . . . — — Map (db m74877) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 64) at Elm Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
The Federal 3rd Div., Army of the Tennessee commanded by Major Gen. Lew Wallace, was positioned by brigades along an east-west line to meet the Confederate attack expected from the north or northwest. The 3rd Brigade under Col. Charles Whittlesey, . . . — — Map (db m63085) HM
On Walnut Street at Pusser Street, on the right when traveling north on Walnut Street.
Personal History
Buford Hayes Pusser was born near Finger, Tennessee on December 12, 1937. His early education consisted of elementary schools in this area and graduation from Adamsville High School in 1956. About a year later, Buford . . . — — Map (db m56824) HM
On South Elm Street (Tennessee Route 117) at Birch Street, on the right when traveling north on South Elm Street.
Pioneering radio and TV personality, Dewey Phillips (May 13, 1926-September 28, 1968), was born in Crump, Tennessee and lived most of his young life in Adamsville, attending school here, at the site of Adamsville High School. Phillips remained a . . . — — Map (db m251861) HM
On Leapwood Enville Road (Tennessee Route 224) 0.6 miles north of Finger Leapwood Road ( Route 199), on the right when traveling north.
Historic Site
Legendary Blind Fiddle Player
and Sheriff Buford Pusser
November 11,1965. The home of legendary blind fiddle player, Elvis Black, of McNairy County burned here at this site. The fire started inside the wood frame house and became . . . — — Map (db m209449) HM
On W Main Street (U.S. 64) east of Leapwood Enville Road, on the right when traveling east.
Historic Site
October 4th 1969
Sheriff Buford Pusser crashed his super-charged 1969 2-door, Ford XL here on October 4th 1969. Another on the list of near-death accidents for which he was legendary. He sustained serious injuries here but recovered . . . — — Map (db m209454) HM
September 17, 1954, a very young Elvis Presley was booked to play a benefit concert here at the old Bethel Springs School. Elvis had one Sun Records single to his credit at that time. It was the future King of Rock and Roll’s first live concert . . . — — Map (db m250771) HM
On Main Street at 1st Ave, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
Shortly after local schools were back in fall session, a benefit concert was held on this site, September 17, 1954, at Bethel Springs School. While not unusual for the time, the Bethel Springs lineup included a young Elvis Presley, performing in his . . . — — Map (db m250768) HM
Near Forty Forks Road at Otis Plunk Road, on the right when traveling east.
Originally built on this site in 1835 reconstructed in 1936 by local families as a memorial to their ancestors buried here.
Ted O. Wells, stone mason and architect — — Map (db m176335) HM
On Buena Vista Road at Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Buena Vista Road.
In this section lived numerous members of the Hurst family, who were staunch Unionists in a predominantly Confederate area. Its best known member was Col. Fielding Hurst, commanding the 6th Tenn. Cavalry, an irregular Union group which skirmished . . . — — Map (db m250774) HM
On Wenasoga Road (Tennessee Route 234) at Turner Road, on the right when traveling east on Wenasoga Road.
General Earl Van Dorn and his Confederate troops, marching to Corinth, crossed the Tuscumbia River and camped here on October 2, 1862. At dawn on October 3, they came in on Chewalla Road and pushed the Federals back south into Corinth. Van Dorn's . . . — — Map (db m62150) HM
FRONT
This Monument is in Honor of the Men and Women of the Armed Forces who have always served our country with dignity and pride. Their sacrifices do not go unnoticed, nor can they ever be repaid.
City of Eastview Veterans Park
REAR
In . . . — — Map (db m250794) WM
On Parkway Circle north of Highway 57, on the left when traveling south.
Near this location in 1947, amateur radio engineer Stanton Littlejohn, began making lacquer disc recordings from the front parlor of his Eastview Tennessee home for a decade or more, Littlejohn documented a rare glimpse of local and regional music . . . — — Map (db m250802) HM
On U.S. 45 at Route 199, on the left when traveling south on U.S. 45.
Born 4.3 mi. east, he moved to Mississippi in 1845. Enlisted in 2nd Mississippi Volunteers for Mexican War. In 1861, initially commanding the 4th Mississippi Militia, he became colonel, 32nd Mississippi Infantry, CSA, in 1862 and a brigadier general . . . — — Map (db m66519) HM
On U.S. 45 at milepost 0.2, 1 mile south of Old U.S. 45, on the right when traveling north.
Leaving the Confederate base at Corinth, Miss. in a march which had begun the previous afternoon, the two corps of the Army of the Mississippi, commanded by Maj. Gens. Hardee and Folk, marched north along this road to unite with other units of the . . . — — Map (db m115229) HM
On State Line Road at Old U.S. 45S, on the right when traveling south on State Line Road.
Since the 1930's the state line was known for illegal drugs, bootleg whiskey, gambling, and prostitution. Death, blood-shed, and illegal activities continued through the 1960's. Buford Pusser was elected McNairy County Sheriff in 1964 and his . . . — — Map (db m182309) HM
On Sticine Road 0.3 miles north of Jenkins Lane, on the right when traveling south.
Here on August 12, 1967, at the breaking of day, Sheriff Buford Pusser, accompanied by his wife Pauline, were answering a call to a disturbance on New Hope Road. A car drove up beside them and started firing into the sheriff’s car. Mrs. Pusser was . . . — — Map (db m223766) HM
On Sticine Road at Davis Yancey Road, on the right when traveling south on Sticine Road.
Sheriff Pusser stopped his car here at this site, trying to check his wife’s injuries, the assailant’s car came back into sight and started firing into the sheriff’s car again. Mrs. Pusser was shot in the head this time and died. Sheriff Pusser was . . . — — Map (db m223767) HM
On Markos Lott Road, on the right when traveling west.
On this site in a modest home on the winter night of December 12th 1937 Carl and Helen Pusser welcomed a son, he was named Buford Hayse Pusser, destined to be the “Walking Tall” hero of McNairy County. — — Map (db m257791) HM
On Vista Lane north of Finger Leapwood Road, on the right when traveling north.
Bufords childhood homeplace was here on this site. He attended schools in Finger and Leapwood and graduated from Adamsville High School in 1956. — — Map (db m257792) HM
On Tennessee Route 22 near Michie Pebble Hill Road ( Route 224), on the left when traveling south.
Bragg’s Corps, Confederate Army of the Mississippi, leaving its base at Corinth, Miss., the previous afternoon, passed north along this road to join other units for the attack on Federal camps at Shiloh, Apr. 6. Breckinridge’s Reserve Corps of . . . — — Map (db m21277) HM
On State Highway 57 at State Highway 22, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 57.
4 mi. N.E., Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of the Mississippi (CS), marching north from Corinth, attacked and partly overran U.S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee (US), which was en route by river to destroy the (CS) base. Arrival of Buell's Army of the . . . — — Map (db m82261) HM
On Tennessee Route 22 north of Post Office Road, on the left when traveling south.
Three miles north of this point, and four miles from the Shiloh battle field, the Confederate army commanded by Albert Sydney Johnston was concentrated on April 5, 1862, for the attack on the Union army under General U.S. Grant at Shiloh. — — Map (db m162182) HM
On Tennessee Route 22, on the left when traveling south.
The rear guard of the Army of the Mississippi (CSA), under Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, withdrew to Corinth. In this vicinity, about 300 sabres of its cavalry under Col. Nathan B. Forrest, effectively stopped two infantry brigades (USA), and the . . . — — Map (db m21275) HM
On U.S. 64 at Lawton Road, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 64.
On December 12, 1937, Buford Hayse Pusser was born in Finger, Tennessee. In 1962 he became Adamsville's chief of police. He was elected sheriff of McNairy County in 1964. Soon his courageous fight against crime exposed him to much danger and many . . . — — Map (db m82262) HM
On Wolf Pen Road 1.8 miles west of Cypress Road, on the right when traveling west.
After heavy fighting and defeat at Corinth, Mississippi, Confederate Gen. Earl Van Dorn's army, en route to Ripley, Mississippi, crossed the river near here at Young's Bridge. Watson's Battery and Gen. John S. Bowen's brigade, 15th and 16th . . . — — Map (db m234937) HM
Fifty yards north is the home (ca. 1856) of Union Col. Fielding Hurst, a slave owner but devout Unionist who raised the 6th Tennessee Cavalry during the Civil War. Hurst’s family controlled an area known during the war and long afterward as the . . . — — Map (db m74875) HM
Marching southeast from Bethel Springs via Purdy, Cheatham’s Div., Confederate Army of the Mississippi, passed here enroute to join the army for its attack at Shiloh. Location of this force had caused Grant, the Federal commander, to dispose Lew . . . — — Map (db m63086) HM
On Bethesda-Purdy Road 0.5 miles north of Armour Drive, on the left when traveling north.
One-half mile west of this marker is the site of McNairy County's first courthouse. In October 1823. An Act of the Tennessee General Assembly proclaimed this area to be McNairy Co. Abel V. Maury owned this land that was the center of the county. To . . . — — Map (db m179109) HM
On East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at South 3rd Street, on the left when traveling north on East Court Avenue.
McNairy County was established October 9, 1820, and Purdy became the County Seat in 1822.
The County Seat was removed to Selmer in 1920. — — Map (db m162259) HM
On Court Avenue (U.S. 45) at 4th Street, on the left when traveling north on Court Avenue.
Erected 1995 by the Battle of Shiloh Camp #1454 Sons of Confederate Veterans C.S.A.
Confederate Units formed in McNairy County
18th (Newsom's) Tenn. Cavalry Regt. Co. E, F, 2nd G and H
21st (Wilson's) Tenn Cavalry Regt. Co F.
13th Tenn. . . . — — Map (db m162255) WM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at S 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue.
Ryan & Gina Foret •
Musicians & Music Educators
Ryan and Gina Foret are career music educators. Gina Locke, a McNairy County native, with musical roots in two Hall of Fame families, was a standout woodwind student before attending Louisiana . . . — — Map (db m308819) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at South Front Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue.
Ezella Robinson •
Gospel Artist and Songwriter
Ezella Robinson began singing at the ripe old age of three. That talent carried through into high school and college where Robinson was a standout choral and musical theater performer, . . . — — Map (db m308821) HM
On West Court Avenue at North Front Street, on the left when traveling east on West Court Avenue.
Stanton Littlejohn
Musician, Music Preservationist & Amateur Sound Engineer
Stanton Littlejohn is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, but his lasting legacy is in local music preservation. In
an incredibly prolific ten-year period . . . — — Map (db m168729) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue.
The Latta Ramblers
Legendary Bluegrass Band
The Latta Ramblers were one of West Tennessee's premier old-time and bluegrass bands. The personnel changed over the years, but the core members of the group were Eunice Littlejohn Smith . . . — — Map (db m179087) HM
On East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south.
Martha Lynn Holt • Bluegrass Gospel Artist & Educator
Martha Lynn Holt rose to early prominance as a gifted multi-instrumentalist in Hall of Fame fiddler. Ernest”Pap” Whitten’s, Chickasaw Ramblers Martha met her future husband, Danny Ray . . . — — Map (db m251881) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Avenue.
The Stephen Foster Music Club
Music appreciation organization
The Stephen Foster Music Club is a group dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of music in McNairy County. Named after Stephen Collins Foster, one of the most . . . — — Map (db m179084) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Avenue.
Dee Fisk Martin
Rhythm and Blues Singer & Recording Artist
Dee Fisk Martin was a singing sensation practically from the womb. Just seven years old, Dee made her debut on the national stage appearing on the TV show "Ozark Jubilee” hosted by . . . — — Map (db m179096) HM
Near East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64), on the left when traveling east.
Waldo Davis
Old-time Fiddler • Radio & TV Personality
Waldo Davis is one of the most prolific musicians and entertainers of the early and mid-twentieth century. He has performed on concert stages, community dances, fiddle contests, and . . . — — Map (db m179103) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) west of North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west.
Carl Perkins
American Music Icon • King of Rockabilly
Carl Perkins is a native of Lake County, Tennessee and a towering figure in American popular music. He achieved superstardom in 1956 with the rockabilly anthem "Blue Suede Shoes," but . . . — — Map (db m179091) HM
Near East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64), on the left when traveling east.
David Killingsworth
Revered Fiddler, Mandolist and Music Heritage Preservationist
David Killingsworth is best known as one of McNairy County's preeminent fiddlers, but primarily considers himself a mandolinist and demonstrates mastery on a . . . — — Map (db m179104) HM
On West Court Avenue (Business Tennessee Route 64) at South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue.
Bessie Jarrett
Beloved & Influential Gospel Artist
Bessie Jarrett began singing gospel at 8 years old in Mt. Olive Church at Guys. A versatile entertainer, Bessie is recognized for her ability to perform many styles of music including R&B, . . . — — Map (db m179101) HM
On East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) just east of South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
World War II
World War I
Korean Conflict
Vietnam
Dedicated in Memory
of those from McNairy Co.
who gave their lives
in service of their country — — Map (db m162253) WM
On West Court Avenue at North 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Avenue.
• The McNairy County Music Hall of Fame was founded by Arts in McNairy in 2013 with the goal to preserve and promote the distinct and rich musical heritage of McNairy County and Southwest Tennessee.
• The Trail of Music Legends, a project of the . . . — — Map (db m179102) HM
On East Court Avenue (U.S. 45/64) at North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on East Court Avenue.
Stroll through Selmer’s Historical Downtown and enjoy the Mesker’s architectural features, the Meskers are storefront facades made from metal, cast iron and cast steel dating from the 1880’s to 1910. Meskers buildings’ features include rosettes, . . . — — Map (db m250780) HM
On North 2nd Street at West Court Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North 2nd Street.
Stroll through Selmer’s Historical Downtown and enjoy the Mesker’s architectural features, the Meskers are storefront facades made from metal, cast iron and cast steel dating from the 1880’s to 1910. Meskers buildings’ features include rosettes, . . . — — Map (db m250786) HM
On West Court Avenue at South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south on West Court Avenue.
Stroll through Selmer’s Historical Downtown and enjoy the Mesker’s architectural features, the Meskers are storefront facades made from metal, cast iron and cast steel dating from the 1880’s to 1910. Meskers buildings’ features include rosettes, . . . — — Map (db m250790) HM
On East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) at North Front Street, on the left when traveling south on East Court Avenue.
This is the Mobile and Ohio Railroad which was chartered in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky in 1808 to provide a vital commercial link between the Gulf or Mexico and Cairo, Illinois, on the Ohio River. The last miles of track were laid . . . — — Map (db m162180) HM
On U.S. 64 at Airport Road, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 64.
4 miles northwest. Established in 1823, it was first county seat of McNairy County; here was Purdy University from 1855 to 1861. Glover’s Trace ran through it from Middle Tennessee to the Mississippi Country. The county seat was moved in 1890. — — Map (db m63087) HM
On West Court Street (Business U.S. 64) at North Front Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Street.
Rockabilly was the sound of young country musicians in the 1950s infusing their music with rhythm and blues (R&B). It emphasized the electric guitar over traditional country instruments such as the steel guitar, fiddle and banjo. Originally called . . . — — Map (db m179098) HM
On North Front Street at East Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling west on North Front Street.
Selmer has been the county seat of McNairy County since April of 1891 when it was moved from Purdy, TN. This change came to be when Purdy citizens voted an emphatic no to the railroad coming through their town. This decision moved the railroad 4 . . . — — Map (db m251858) HM
On North 3rd Street at Court Street (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling east on North 3rd Street.
After 120 years the incorporated township of Selmer elected their first Female Mayor.
On November 2, 2021, the citizens of Selmer elected Sherry Lea Inman to govern the town of 4,400.
Mayor Inman's roots are deep in McNairy County. . . . — — Map (db m253550) HM
On Mississippi Valley Highway (U.S. 45) at Higginbottom Road, on the right when traveling south on Mississippi Valley Highway.
A group of approximately 660 Cherokees traveled through McNairy County in late fall of 1838. Also called Bell's Treaty Party, it was the only detachment to be accompanied by the military. Escorted by U.S. Army Lt. Edward Deas and Cherokee leader . . . — — Map (db m19311) HM
On Tennessee Route 22 0.5 miles south of Bark Road, on the left when traveling north.
C.S.
Reserve Corps, Army of the Mississippi.
Brig. Gen. John C Breckinridge.
1st Brigade, Col. Robert P. Trabue, 4th KY.
2d Brigade, Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen, (W'D).
Col. John D. Martin, 2d Confederate.
3d Brigade, Col. Winfield S. . . . — — Map (db m223846) HM
On Harrison Road 0.5 miles west of Joe Dillon Road, on the right when traveling west.
(preface)
After the February 1862 Union victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, Gen. Don Carlos Buell's army occupied Nashville while Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's army penetrated to Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. Buell and Grant . . . — — Map (db m84783) HM
On Michie Pebble Hill Road (Tennessee Route 224) at Kason Drive, on the right when traveling south on Michie Pebble Hill Road.
Uncommon valor was a common virtue
Please say a prayer for all our veterans and our soldiers now serving.
Reverse Side:
The Stantonville Ruritan Club and the City of Stantonville dedicate this memorial to all veterans. . . . — — Map (db m224887) WM
