212 E. Houston S, TX Constructed in 1928 at a cost of $3,000,000, this structure was designed by John Ebersonf or Karl Hoblitzelle, owner of the interstate theatre chain. Chiefly Spanish Colonial Revival in design, its Eclectic features include paired columns supporting a full-width canopy; an elaborate Marquee; and ornate place courtyard interior. The majestic [ Read More ]
611 Avenue A,Palestine, TX Palestine, founded 1846, acquired fire department when International & Great Northern Railroad extended line here in 1872. Early fire-wagon was horse-drawn flatbed loaded with hose. Motor truck and city water were introduced 1918. Bell from 1895 hangs in front. (1972) Credit: State of Texas
Sparta TN 38583. He was born at Duncans Chapel near the boundary of Putnam and Overton Counties, TN, and moved to Sparta at an early age where he made his permanent home. A bluegrass music pioneer and composer, Mr. Flatt was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and star of radio, television, and [ Read More ]
188 W. Main St., Kingsport TN 37660. The old Gem Theatre was one of the first buildings in downtown Kingsport. Built in 1915, this building has been used for everything from a country-western bar to a church. It was originally a movie theater that showed a variety of films including old westerns. Kingsport’s own Congressman [ Read More ]
Erwin TN 37650. In the Vally 500 yards north were held, many kinds of frontier diversions, including racing on a half~mile semicircular track. here, in 1788, Andrew Jackson, then 21 years old, rode his horse in a match race against a horse belonging to Col. Robert Love,ridden by a professional jockey. Jackson Lost. Credit:State Of [ Read More ]
434 State Street, Bristol TN 37620. In 1927 Ralph Peer, a record producer with the Victor Talking Machine Company, set up a temporary music studio on this site. Over the next 12 days he recorded 76 songs by 19 artists, includding the Stonemans, and the first recordings of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. These [ Read More ]
Bristol TN 37620. Erected August 16, 1971 Honoring A.P. Carter Sara Carter Maybelle Carter Jimmie Rodgers Who recorded the first Country and Western music to be distributed nationwide in Bristol, Tennessee on August 2, 1927 (West Face) Dedicated by the people of Bristol The Historical Committee of the Greater Bristol Area Chamber of Commerce The [ Read More ]
830 State Street, Bristol TN 37620. Ralph S. Peer was born in 1892 in Independence, Missouri. He grew up in the record business, working in the shop where his father sold phonographs and recordings for the Columbia Graphophone Company. After service in WWI, as a talent scout for the Okeh record label during the early [ Read More ]
Memphis TN 38103. Born March 26, 1917, in Cayce, Mississippi, this legendary entertainer known worldwide, began his career in the 1930s with the Rabbit Foot Minstrel Shows. He was the organizer and master of ceremonies of the amateur shows in the 1940s and 1950s at the Palace Theatre, which stood at this site. From these [ Read More ]
706 Union Avenue, Memphis TN 38103. In th early 1950′s Sun Records was a small recording studio located here at 706 Union. Owned and operated by Sam C. Phillips, Sun Records became nationally know for giving many local area artist, both black and white, their start in the recording industry. These included Elvis Presley, Johnny [ Read More ]
