Tennessee Historical Commission

Similar to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History with its historical marker signs throughout Mississippi, the Tennessee Historical Commission maintains a network of historical markers throughout the State of Tennessee.

Here are some Tennessee Historical Commission markers we came across during our travels. We have placed the sites related to music first, followed by other sites which are interesting but unrelated to music.

Sites Connected To Blues and Music History

Tennessee Historical Commission marker (front) for Hooks Brothers Photography, outside 164 Beale Street, Memphis
Tennessee Historical Commission marker (front) for Hooks Brothers Photography, outside 164 Beale Street, Memphis

Hooks Brothers Photography – 164 Beale Street, Memphis

There are only two confirmed photographs of Robert Johnson.

One of them was taken at the Hooks Brothers Photography Studio.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker commemorating Elvis Aaron Presley, outside Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker commemorating Elvis Aaron Presley, outside Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee

Elvis Aaron Presley Graceland, Memphis

Located outside Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis Presley is buried on the grounds of Graceland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Pee Wee Saloon, Beale Street, Memphis
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Pee Wee Saloon, Beale Street, Memphis

The Pee Wee Saloon is mentioned in W.C. Handy’s autobiography, Father of the Blues, as a meeting place for musicians in early 20th century Memphis.

W.C. Handy says he wrote music and lyrics at the cigar counter in Pee Wee Saloon.

The Hard Rock Cafe now stands at the Pee Wee Saloon site.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker outside the Stax Museum, 926 E. McLemore Ave., Memphis, TN
Tennessee Historical Commission marker outside the Stax Museum, 926 E. McLemore Ave., Memphis, TN

The Stax Museum at this site is a recreation of the original Stax Records building, which was demolished in the 1980’s.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Casey Jones, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Casey Jones, Memphis, Tennessee

Casey Jones – Memphis, Tennessee

About Casey Jones and the train wreck at Vaughn, Mississippi on 30 April 1900.

Blues musicians who have recorded songs about Casey Jones include Furry Lewis and Mississippi John Hurt.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Rufus Thomas Jr., Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Rufus Thomas Jr., Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee

Rufus Thomas Jr.Beale Street, Memphis

At the site of the former Palace Theatre (demolished in 1972) where Rufus Thomas Jr. was MC during the 1940’s and 1950’s.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Nat D. Williams, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Nat D. Williams, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee

Nat D. Williams – Beale Street, Memphis

Nat D. Williams was a history teacher in the Memphis public schools who was also a DJ on WDIA, a newspaper columnist and promoter of blues and R&B.

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Tennessee Historical Commission marker for WDIA Radio, Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for WDIA Radio, Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee

WDIA – The Goodwill Station – Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee

In the late 1940’s WDIA was the first Memphis radio station to move to an all black programming format. Although the station ownership was white, all WDIA on air personalities were black. The move to the all black blues and R&B format made WDIA the leading radio station in Memphis.

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Interesting Tennessee Historical Commission Markers Unrelated To Music History

Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Historical Commission marker for Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Memphis, Tennessee

Elizabeth Avery Meriwether – Memphis, Tennessee

Elizabeth Avery Meriwether (1824-1917) was a noted author and women’s suffrage campaigner.

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