The long brick building on the left, between Austin and Bertrand, is the old Swans Bakery. It opened its new modern plant with some fanfare in 1927, and was so proud of it that Swans invited the public to see it, and even made the bakery . . . — — Map (db m178111) HM
A Knoxville native, Robert Birdwell grew up in the Lonsdale area before moving to Kingsport, Tenn. The GI Bill allowed him back to move back to Knoxville to study at the University of Tennessee and from there he attended the University of Iowa's . . . — — Map (db m134893) HM
The Andrew Johnson Hotel's top floor was the original site for WNOX's live country music variety show The Midday Merry-Go-Round. An early star of the show was a little known fiddler named Roy Acuff. The rowdy fans and musicians who crowded the . . . — — Map (db m118604) HM
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture
The Passing Show, 1925, Oil on Canvas
Born in Vienna, Austria, Rudolph Ingerle became known as "The Painter of the Smokies" and became an advocate for their protection through the . . . — — Map (db m223868) HM
Untitled Abstract, 1960
Beck Cultural Exchange Center Collection
Born in Knoxville, Ruth Cobb Brice graduated from Swift Memorial College, a historically Black college in Rogersville, and was soon teaching at schools in Rogersville, . . . — — Map (db m178107) HM
Untitled Abstract, 1960
Beck Cultural Exchange Center Collection
Born in Knoxville, Ruth Cobb Brice graduated from Swift Memorial College, a historically Black college in Rogersville, and was soon teaching at schools in Rogersville, . . . — — Map (db m178110) HM
Untitled, 1970
Born in Knoxville, Ruth Cobb Brice graduated from Swift Memorial College, a historically Black college in Rogersville, and was soon teaching at schools in Rogersville, Greeneville, and La Follette. During the summer months . . . — — Map (db m222648) HM
Abstract Landscape with Birds, 1965
Born in Knoxville, Ruth Cobb Brice graduated from Swift Memorial College, a historically Black college in Rogersville, and was soon teaching at schools in Rogersville, Greeneville, and LaFollette. . . . — — Map (db m223857) HM
A World War I veteran born in Knox County, St. Clair Cobb founded the Knoxville Colored High School Band in 1923. He taught music at several elementary schools, Beardsley Junior High School, and Austin High School, which was previously located at . . . — — Map (db m92854) HM
The St. James Hotel located on Wall Avenue, off of Market Square, was the site of several significant recordings with the Brunswick-Balke-Collander Company in 1929 and 1930.
The Tennessee Ramblers, a family band from nearby Clinton, Tennessee, . . . — — Map (db m118514) HM
While hosting the WROL studios in the late 1940s and 1950s, this building served as the center of a new movement in country music - bluegrass. The legendary duo Flatt and Scruggs used WROL as their home base for radio performances and touring. The . . . — — Map (db m118462) HM
The Everly Brothers blend of country music, rhythm n blues and pop was one of the most innovative and original styles of the 1950s rock n roll era. Their vocal harmonies were rooted in vintage country brother duets but had a pop sensibility and . . . — — Map (db m213175) HM
In the 1950s, this building was home to the WROL-AM studios. The Everly Brothers performed here until they left the station in a dispute with Cas Walker, the station's famed promoter and show host. After leaving WROL, Phil and Don Everly were . . . — — Map (db m118515) HM
The Knoxville Girl and other adaptations of folk ballads were among the earliest popular recordings in country and bluegrass music. The Knoxville Girl was among the early national recording hits for WNOX radio stars, The Louvin Brothers.
In . . . — — Map (db m118770) HM
The remains of this building mark the site that once served as WNOX's studio and "radiotorium" from the late 1930s until the 1950s. The Midday Merry-Go-Round, hosted by Lowell Blanchard, was broadcast six days a week at lunch time and was the most . . . — — Map (db m118839) HM
Known for its beauty and acoustics, Staub's Opera House was operating under the name of the Lyric Theatre when it played host in the 1940s to WNOX's legendary live weekend show, The Tennessee Barn Dance, which featured such local performances as . . . — — Map (db m118719) HM
Sterchi Brothers Furniture established its headquarters here in the 1920s and had a profound influence on the development and early popularity of country music. As agents for Aeolian - Vocalian Record Co., the Sterchis (with talent scout Gus . . . — — Map (db m134888) HM
Quarry Place and the Crucified Tree, 1959
Oil on canvas, 40x50 inches, University of Tennessee, Ewing Gallery
Carl Sublett in rural eastern Kentucky. Growing up in a small mining town he became fascinated with coal trains, inspiring his first . . . — — Map (db m221652) HM
Broomsage, 1958
Oil on canvas, 40x50 inches, University of Tennessee Ewing Gallery
Cart Sublett was born in rural eastern Kentucky. Growing up in a small mining
town he became fascinated with coal trains, inspiring his first drawings at age . . . — — Map (db m221812) HM
Immature Red-tailed Hawk, 1944
Tempera on Board, 13 5/8 x 16 inches
Earl Henry, a local naturalist and taught artist, is often better known as the Knoxville dental officer who perished on the ill-fated USS
Indianapolis at the . . . — — Map (db m221831) HM
Madonna and Child, 1899, Knaffl Brothers
(Knoxville photography studio, active 1884-1908)
Photographic print, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, Gift of Andrew Hurst, 1980.14.1.
Joseph Knaffl was born in . . . — — Map (db m221922) HM
Face of a City, 1957
Oil on canvas
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1986 gift of the Knoxville Arts Center
A Knoxville native, Robert Birdwell grew up in the Lonsdale area before moving to Kingsport, Tenn. The GI Bill allowed him back to move back . . . — — Map (db m221653) HM
Smoky Mountains, circa 1925
Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches
Knoxville Museum of Art, gift of the Haslam family in honor of Steve Bailey's 60th birthday.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Rudolph Ingerle and his family immigrated to the United . . . — — Map (db m221731) HM
East Tennessee Female Institute, circa 1828 (painted 1960)
Oil on Canvas, 16 x 20 inches
Ossoli Circle Collection
Russell Briscoe was an unlikely artist. Raised in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, he
enjoyed an idyllic childhood in a . . . — — Map (db m221817) HM
Staubs Theatre, circa 1897 (painted 1974)
Oil on Canvas, 22 x 30 inches
Russell Briscoe was an unlikely artist. Raised in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, he enjoyed an idyllic childhood in a prosperous family. As might have been . . . — — Map (db m221931) HM
King David, 1960s
Casein/mixed media (paper, paint): 24 x 20 inches
East Tennessee Historical Society
Born in Knoxville, Ted Burnett grew up in the Halls area (his father was a Polish immigrant who ran a clothing store on Gay Street) and . . . — — Map (db m221732) HM
King David, 1960s
Casein/mixed media (paper, paint): 24 x 20 inches
East Tennessee Historical Society
Born in Knoxville, Ted Burnett grew up in the Halls area (his father was a Polish immigrant who ran a clothing store on Gay Street) . . . — — Map (db m221736) HM
Birds, People, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, circa 1948-1954
Egg tempera on board, 14 ½ x 20 inches
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1999 gift of Thomas G. Davis
Charles Griffin Farr was a realist painter, recognized, according to the . . . — — Map (db m222642) HM
Morning Milking Time, circa 1915
Oil on Canvas, 46 x 36 Ό inches
Knoxville Museum of Art, 2012 joint purchase of the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library, and the KMA with funds provided by the C. M. . . . — — Map (db m223854) HM
Untitled (#320), 1945
Pastel on paper 61 x 14 inches
Knoxville Museum of Art, 2001 Artscapes purchase with funds provided by Marie and Bob Alcorn, Barbara and Steve Apking, Barbara and Bernard E. Bernstein, Lane and Charles Hays, . . . — — Map (db m223856) HM
Landscape Redesigned, 1943
Oil on canvas
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Kermit "Buck" Ewing graduated from Carnegie Mellon University where he later taught art. Ewing started the University of Tennessee's visual arts program after moving to . . . — — Map (db m221665) HM
"Agglomerate," 1967
Watercolor on paper, 18x24 inches
Knoxville Museum of Art, gift of Janice Clarke
Born in Indiana, Richard Clarke earned his MFA from the University of Wisconsin before serving as a gunner on a U.S. bomber in World . . . — — Map (db m221661) HM
Born 4.1 miles west, near Nankipoo,
Aug. 21, 1896, this author's stories
of Mississippi River and Delta
characters, including How Come
Christmas, Ol' Man Adam an' His
Chillun, John Henry, Kingdom
Comin', and This Side of Jordan,
won . . . — — Map (db m221759) HM
Southern gospel pioneer James D. Vaughan was a hymnodist and music publisher who, in the course of promoting his work, created what is now known as the Southern gospel quartet. Vaughan also embraced then-new technologies, radio and records, and . . . — — Map (db m184867) HM
Born in 1864, James D. Vaughan was a renowned gospel songwriter and publisher. In 1902 he founded the Vaughan Music Company in Lawrenceburg. In 1922, he established radio station WOAN, considered the first radio station licensed in Tennessee. In . . . — — Map (db m53576) HM
Mr. James Vaughn was an American music teacher, composer, songbook publisher, founder of Vaugh Consevatory of Music, and the James D. Vaughn Publishing Co.
He also founded W.O.A.N the very first radio station in the State of Tennessee!
Please . . . — — Map (db m212423) HM
Between 1960 and 1978, Hattie Louise "Tootsie" Bess was the proprietor of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Nashville's Lower Broadway. Under her stewardship it became a gathering place for country musicians and songwriters. Supportive during artists' lean . . . — — Map (db m224700) HM
About the Sculpture
The First Volunteer statue represents no specific individual. Instead, the
sculpture embodies the volunteer spirit made synonymous with
Tennessee during the War of 1812. To portray the typical citizen-soldier
of the era, . . . — — Map (db m207968) HM
Singer, songwriter, producer, attorney and educator, Ed Townsend remains best known for cowriting and coproducing half of Marvin Gaye's classic 1973 album, Let's Get It On. Over the course of a 50-year career, he wrote 250 published songs and . . . — — Map (db m196529) HM
Lincoln County
Established 1809; named in honor of Major Gen. Benjamin Lincoln of the Revolutionary Army. After service at Saratoga, he was put in Chief Command in the Southern Colonies. Later, he was Secretary of War under the Confederation, . . . — — Map (db m82219) HM
Songwriter and singer Russell Smith led the Amazing Rhythm Aces country rock group, who scored a Top 20 pop hit in 1975 with Smith's song "Third Rate Romance." Later, he became a successful country songwriter.
Howard Russell Smith was born in . . . — — Map (db m224677) HM
Born in Chicago in 1949, Gil Scott-Heron moved to Jackson in 1950, which remained his home until he was thirteen years old. In 1962, he was one of three African Americans to desegregate Tigrett Junior High School. That same year, he moved to New . . . — — Map (db m210467) HM
"Sonny Boy" Williamson (1914 - 1948), the music innovator responsible for the acceptance of the harmonica as an authentic blues tool, is buried in old Blair's Chapel CME Cemetery, 5 miles southwest. The most influential blues harmonica player of his . . . — — Map (db m51375) HM
Born circa 1924 in Jackson, Tennessee, "Big Maybelle" became a powerful Rhythm & Blues Singer. With her emotive delivery, and as one of the premier R&B chanteuses of the 1950s, she served as an essential link between raucous 1950s R&B and the soul . . . — — Map (db m137020) HM
Ellis Truett and the Late J. Harry Smith had these concrete busts made about 1954-55. Memphis Concrete Products produced them from molds made by the Memphis Academy of Arts. They weigh 550 lbs. for the male and 500 for the female.
Named Chief . . . — — Map (db m106573) HM
"Miss Camille" was a Maury County native and lifelong resident of West Seventh Street in Columbia, Tennessee.
She was a graduate of the Columbia Female Institute, where she taught a number of years. She studied organ music at the Cincinnati . . . — — Map (db m151179) HM
At the close of the War Between the States, the Confederate dead buried in various places around Columbia and in the outlying communities were disinterred and reburied in this one section. There are over 120 Confederates buried in this section, but . . . — — Map (db m196613) HM WM
Cher-O-Kee Photofinishers was established at this location c. 1944 by Fred Wankan, former owner and editor of The Daily Post-Athenian. The business grew and by 1957, moved to a new location on Congress Parkway. Later, the name changed to Fox . . . — — Map (db m180312) HM
This was the site of the Foree Hotel in operation 1913 until 1925 when it was destroyed by fire. In 1925, Mrs. J.O. Foree sold the Hotel Foree property to Manning and Wink, a partnership responsible for opening several movie theatres in Georgia . . . — — Map (db m177638) HM
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
By the beginning of the 19th century, many Cherokee had adopted many white ways of living. They built American type farms, wore American style clothes, developed American style systems of government and began buying African slaves to work on . . . — — Map (db m82271) HM
Banjoist Charlie Cushman is chiefly renowned for his mastery of the Earl Scruggs style three-finger banjo technique. During his career, he has performed with Andy Griffith, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, among many others. He is a . . . — — Map (db m169085) HM
Dr. Clarence Cameron White, born in Clarksville, Tennessee, rose to international prominence as a violinist, composer, educator and conductor. He studied composition with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and violin with Michael Zacherewitsch. White taught at . . . — — Map (db m174603) HM
Dunbar Cave was a popular resort for many years prior to becoming a state park. Beginning in 1875, investors created opportunities to stay at Dunbar Cave and the nearby Idaho Springs. People were attracted by the perceived medicinal qualities of the . . . — — Map (db m213648) HM
The most gifted instrumentalist of all time an influence on guitarists everywhere -- a psychedelic rock pioneer whose work and approach touches all styles of music. (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Although Hendrix vaulted to stardom in England . . . — — Map (db m212753) HM
Born on May 29, 1831, in Montgomery County, Joseph Buckner Killebrew was an ardent advocate for extending public education, encouraging immigration to the South, developing natural resources for industrialization and improving agriculture, all of . . . — — Map (db m145132) HM
Andrea Lugar, sculptor Bronze casting by Lugar Foundry
Dedicated April 19, 2007 with appreciation to the following contributors:
Rivers and Spires Festival The Gannett Foundation The Leaf-Chronicle The Network Montgomery County . . . — — Map (db m169067) HM
First launched as a weekly under the name of The Chronicle by Francis Richardson in 1808, it merged with its younger rival, The Tobacco Leaf, at an unknown later date. It is believed to be middle Tennessee's oldest newspaper. — — Map (db m89078) HM
Born in Richmond, Virginia, Newman moved with his family to Clarksville when he was eleven. He studied art in New York, England, and France. Nationally recognized for his work, over 190 of his paintings have been located. Newman served as a . . . — — Map (db m88871) HM
Russian-American Novelist, Philosopher, Playwright, and Screenwriter.
Rand is known for her two best-selling novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and Developing a Philosophical System called Objectivism.
Atlas . . . — — Map (db m106066) HM
Titans were deities that existed before the Olympian Gods, and Prometheus was known as the protector and benefactor of mankind.
Zeus, the king of the Olympian Gods, took fire away from mankind after Prometheus angered him with his . . . — — Map (db m106036) HM
President of the United States of America, served two terms from 1801-1809
Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, a Charter of America and Universal Liberties
Drafted in 1776.
He became the Nation's First . . . — — Map (db m106069) HM
Born June 19, 1914, in the Duncan's Chapel area of Overton County, Lester Raymond Flatt helped define traditional bluegrass music. He became an original member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1945. From 1948 to 1969 he achieved fame as the lead . . . — — Map (db m157367) HM
A foundational behind-the-scenes player in the early Nashville music business, Jim Denny worked for the Grand Ole Opry and later launched one of Country Music's most successful music publishing companies along with a major talent booking agency. . . . — — Map (db m224767) HM
(Marker front):
William Jennings Bryan
1860 - 1925
Presidential Nominee
Secretary of State
Congressman
Christian Statesman
Author and Orator
(On the statue's proper left):
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a . . . — — Map (db m54243) HM
Prolific Nashville session pianist Hargus Melvin Pig Robbins has played on records by artists as diverse as Alan Jakson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bob Dylan, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Joan Baez, . . . — — Map (db m178590) HM
Wilma W. Wyatt was born in a house that stood near this spot on November 4, 1909. Her stage career began after she won a Chicago singing contest in 1928. She adopted the stage name "Dixie Lee" after joining Fox Film Corp. in 1929. A year later, she . . . — — Map (db m165726) HM
One of Tennessee's early country music performers was the irrepressible singer and banjo player, Uncle Dave Macon, the "Dixie Dewdrop."
David Harrison Macon was born in the tiny hamlet of Smartt Station in Warren County, and spent his teenage . . . — — Map (db m202907) HM
Mary Noailles Murfree, who later became a prominent authoress under this pen-name, was born at "Grantlands," whose site is now marked by a large pine tree, Jan. 24, 1850. Educated at the Nashville Female Academy, later in Philadelphia, her first . . . — — Map (db m99734) HM
Born in Warren County in 1870, David H. Macon, the "Dixie Dew Drop,” was a farmer, freight hauler, and banjo picker and comedy singer in vaudeville. He was one of the first artists on the Grand Ole Opry, where he performed for 27 years. . . . — — Map (db m146750) HM
Country singer and songwriter Chris Young is a Grammy- and Academy of Country Music-nominated vocalist. His style is rooted in traditional country music, although he performs with a contemporary sensibility.
Christopher Alan Young, born in . . . — — Map (db m166467) HM
James M. Buchanan, economist and author, received the 1986 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Grandson of a former governor, he attended Middle Tennessee State Teachers College, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Chicago. . . . — — Map (db m40549) HM
One of Tennessees early country music performers was the irrepressible singer and banjo player, Uncle Dave Macon, the “Dixie Dewdrop.”
David Harrison Macon, was born in the tiny hamlet of Smartt Station in Warren County, and spent . . . — — Map (db m90691) HM
Among the most well-known bluegrass songs of all time, Rocky Top was written in room 388 of the Gatlinburg Inn in August 1967. Originally recorded by the Osborne Brothers, it has become a standard. It was inducted as one of Tennessee's official . . . — — Map (db m194784) HM
This cabin is a replica of the Parton home place where Lee and Avie Lee Parton raised Dolly and her 10 brothers and sisters. The replica cabin was constructed by Dolly's brother Bobby, and the interior was reproduced by her mother Avie Lee. Most . . . — — Map (db m14634) HM
Distinguished as a singer, songwriter, actor, businesswoman and philanthropist, Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time, and among the best-selling country artists of the post World War II era. She opened one of the . . . — — Map (db m184490) HM
Regarded as the heart of Sevierville's historic commercial district, the buildings on Court Avenue were constructed after the courthouse was completed in 1896. They have been occupied continually by various businesses through the years. Originally . . . — — Map (db m184569) HM
Born Frances Ellen Davies, Mrs. Davies-Rodgers was teacher, school administrator, Shelby County Historian for 30 years, genealogist, author of 10 books (focusing mainly on the Brunswick area and Episcopal Church history), philanthropist. church . . . — — Map (db m179133) HM
Born in Memphis in 1867, G.P. Hamilton was the author of The Bright Side of Memphis, one of the earliest books on black residents of Memphis. In 1892 Hamilton, an honors graduate of LeMoyne, was appointed principal of Kortrecht, the first . . . — — Map (db m149022) HM
Founded in the downtown area in 1893 by Principals E.S. Werts and J.W.S Rhea, Memphis University School soon became the city's leading boys' preparartory school. Although the "old MUS" succumbed to the Great Depression in 1936, alumni and friends . . . — — Map (db m87087) HM
A key part of the rock 'n' roll wave that swept America in the 1950s started in these Quonset huts. R. E. "Buster” Williams, a self-educated engineer, opened Plastic Products in 1949 with equipment he had researched and designed himself. . . . — — Map (db m149041) HM
On March 20, 1956 Elvis Presley and his parents,
Vernon and Gladys, moved into 1034 Audubon
Drive purchased with royalties from his first
million-dollar-selling record, Heartbreak Hotel. It
was the year that defined his career. The home . . . — — Map (db m200798) HM
Johnny Cash's First Performance
The singer-songwriter who became know as "The Man in Black," Johnny Cash launched his music career on this site in December 1954. Working as a door-to-door appliance salesman, Cash teamed up with guitarist . . . — — Map (db m102825) HM
Established in 1899, Church's park and auditorium was the only such facility in the United States owned entirely by a black man and conducted in the interest of black people.
Standard admission to the auditorium was 15’ seating capacity was 2200, . . . — — Map (db m107386) HM
Born in Bolivar, Elizabeth Meriwether spent much of her life in Memphis. A noted author, her more famous works include The Master of Red Leaf, Black and White, and Recollections of 92 Years. Mrs. Meriwether toured many states lecturing in support of . . . — — Map (db m55308) HM
