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 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 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 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
