Bradley Academy
Bradley Academy was originally built in 1806. While it started as a school exclusively for white males, in 1884 Bradley Academy opened its doors to both male and female African American students. The current structure was built in 1917 and functioned as a new educational institution in Murfreesboro from 1918 to 1955. In 1955, the remaining student body moved to the new Bradley Elementary School. This location now features the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center with exhibits on the diverse local history of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. Feel free to tour and explore the location! For more information click here.
The Murfreesboro Union
Historical Marker: corner of Highland Avenue and Vaughn StreetThe Murfreesboro Union, Murfreesboro’s first Black newspaper, was founded in 1920 by Mary Ellen Vaughn. Born in Alabama in 1893, Vaughn was highly educated, graduating from Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), Chicago Business College, and Tennessee A&I College (now Tennessee State University). Vaughn lived in Murfreesboro for the last thirty years of her life. The Murfreesboro Union was a four-page monthly newspaper that published news from the Black community, including advertisements for Black businesses, obituaries, and notices of social events that were not allowed to be published in white newspapers. In addition to running the Murfreesboro Union until her death in 1953, Vaughn also opened Vaughn’s Training School in her home in 1933. The school provided training in home healthcare, typing, cosmetology, and sewing, as well as adult education, in order to provide Black residents of Murfreesboro with educational and vocational opportunities denied them in white institutions. In the era of Jim Crow laws that prevented African Americans from voting by instituting poll taxes and literacy requirements, Vaughn’s Training School provided literacy training to help African Americans meet requirements for voting.
Eldorado Club
Address: 2707 Asbury LaneThe Eldorado Club was a popular one-room juke joint, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. The club was deliberately located on the edge of the Cemetery Community, which was itself on the western edge of Murfreesboro, so that African Americans could have a good time away from the scrutiny of white residents. Alf McClain managed the club’s operations and ensured that the club fulfilled the community’s social needs through music, dancing, drinking, and gaming. Admission to the Eldorado Club cost one dollar. The Eldorado Club allowed many African American entertainers to perform their art safely and openly. The house band at the club was The Dukes, which included saxophone player Raymond Summerour; in addition to playing at the Eldorado Club, The Dukes toured across the region, playing in places such as Tullahoma and Chattanooga. Women also performed at the Eldorado Club, mainly as “exotic” and “shake” (also known as burlesque) dancers, usually appearing at the beginning of a show or between acts. While Alf McClain died in 1973, his sons continued to run the Eldorado Club until at least 1980. Today, the building that once housed the Eldorado Club is abandoned and overgrown.
Elks Lodge (Club)
Address of the Armory: 1220 West College StreetAs was the case of many African American benevolent societies, the E. A. Davis Elks Lodge #1138 of Rutherford County served the Black community as an entertainment promoters. The Elks Lodge was located in an armory building, which could be turned into a concert and dance hall for one-night performances. Admission cost a suggested donation of one dollar and twenty-five cents. During the 1950s and 1960s, patrons of the Elks Lodge could see various rhythm and blues artists, including Gene Allison, Leslie Knight, and Christine Kittrell. Because of its role in promoting African American musicians, the Elks Lodge was one of the most prominent venues to see Black entertainers in the postwar decades.
Killgo's Funeral Home
Address: 301 South Academy StreetKillgo’s Funeral Home was owned and operated by John and Isabell Killgo. John Killgo was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, and attended Gupton-Jones College of Embalming in Nashville. Isabell Killgo was originally from Dyersburg, Tennessee. After his graduation, John moved to Murfreesboro in 1934 with Isabell. Together, they opened Killgo’s Funeral Home, which also served as their place of residence. After John’s death, Isabell continued to operate the funeral home. Isabell was also a prominent community leader. In 1968, she ran as a candidate in a special election of court members for the 13th Civil District. Isabell also became the first African American woman elected as a County Commissioner in Rutherford County. Killgo’s Funeral Home is no longer in operation. Having earlier been demolished, the remains of the funeral home burned in 1999.
Scales & Sons Funeral Home
Address: 318 E. State StreetThe H. Preston Scales and Sons Funeral Home is the oldest Black owned funeral home in Rutherford County. Potentially also the oldest Black owned business in Murfreesboro, this funeral home was founded by Henry Preston Scales in 1916 and was a symbol of change in the American South. The business, although a place of mourning and sadness, was a focal point of community and familial ties for African Americans in Rutherford County.H. Preston Scales would often travel as much as a full day journey, even in inclement weather, to rural homes of African Americans in Rutherford County. Traveling by horse and buggy the embalming was done on site, at which point the deceased’s body would be transported to their church and then to their cemetery. Often paying for such services was difficult for the mainly sharecropper clients. Mr. Scales was often paid chickens, ham, whatever was available, or would wait till harvest time to be paid. In years with bad crop yields services were provided by the funeral home for free to those who now could not afford to pay. With the slogan “We help each other” Mr. Scales established a burial association called Helping Hand Mutual Burial Association which helped deceased members furnish more affordable care. H. Preston Scales went on to train his young son Robert (Tee-Ninety) Scales from an early age to carry on the family’s business.Robert W. Scales, born in 1926 to Henry Preston and Willie Burkeen Scales, was a civic leader, politician, and a small business owner in Murfreesboro, TN. He owned The Friendly Spot Café, the Weeping Willow Motel and Café, and the Scales and Sons Funeral Home. Scales was the first African American elected to the City Council of Murfreesboro. He was a local hero who sadly passed away in October of 2000. Robert's wife Mary C. Scales also pursued public service as a Councilwoman for four years. Their daughter Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris continued her parent's legacy of public service going on to become Vice-Mayor.With its vital role in building community ties and maintaining a small business amidst segregation, the H. Preston Scales and Sons Funeral Home is a prime example of historic black business in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A powerful nurtured legacy of public service can be found with Madelyn and her siblings Melvin, Preston, and Robert Jr. who continue to provide “dignified, caring, and helpful service."
Hellum Funeral Home
Address: 611 S. Highland AvenueThe Hellum Funeral Home was founded by J.C. Hellum in 1934. Originally located at 102 E. Sevier Street, Hellum and his wife, Louise, moved their business to 611 S. Highland Street, where they also built a residence, in 1953. At its new location, Hellum Funeral Home was located next door to Holloway High School, Murfreesboro’s all-Black high school, and thus was at the center of Black community activity in Murfreesboro. With its red-brick exterior, the Hellum Funeral Home resembled an African American church, communicating the connection between religion and death in the Black community. J.C. Hellum’s business became so successful that his son, J.C. Hellum, Jr., was able to expand the business, opening branches of the Hellum Funeral Home in Lebanon and Hartsville. After J.C. Hellum, Jr. died in 2002, Wendy B. Hellum took over the business, continuing the funeral home’s legacy. Wendy Hellum also served as the District Governor of the National Funeral Director and Morticians Association between 1994 and 1995. The Hellum Funeral Home is still in operation today.
Jack's Glass Shop
Address: 118 S. Walnut StreetJackson “Jack” Winsett was born and raised in the Rockvale community, southwest of Murfreesboro. He worked on a farm for most of his early years and met his wife, Bertha L. Jordon, on the farm. Jack and Bertha married in 1936 and had two children together. Winsett worked as a milk delivery truck driver for the Carnation Milk Plant during the Great Depression. Winsett served in the U.S. Army for two years during World War II; he was discharged as a First Sergeant. After returning home, Winsett worked for Bell Brothers Lumber Company before going into business for himself. He opened Jack’s Glass Shop in 1959. The shop was known for Benjamin Moore paints and glass cutting techniques. In addition to running his business, Winsett was involved in local politics, serving as a member of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, the Rutherford County Draft Board, and the Murfreesboro Planning Commission. He was also a trustee of Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church.
The Elite Barber and Beauty Shops
Address: 411 E. State StreetThe Elite Barber and Beauty Shops were owned by Johnie L. Murray and James Lester.Many locations on this historical mapping project required collaborative research done alongside the local community. Your input is valuable and appreciated.If you have any information on existing points of interest or new points of interest, feel free to reach out to the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center. Contact us by email or phone at vstembridge@murfreesborotn.gov or 615-962-8773, or visit us in person at 415 S. Academy Street in Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
Moon Lite Café
Address: 550 E. Sevier StreetVictoria “Vick” Taylor was born in 1914. With her husband, Will Taylor, she owned and operated the Moon Lite Café in Murfreesboro. In addition to being a business owner, Taylor was also politically active as a member of the Rutherford County Democratic League. Her name appears in an advertisement placed by the Rutherford County Democratic League in the Daily News-Journal in July 1974, urging eligible Black residents of Murfreesboro to exercise their right to vote and to support Democratic candidates in an upcoming election. Taylor died in February 1986.
The Friendly Spot Café
Address: 128 S. Maple StreetThe Friendly Spot Café, owned by Robert W. Scales, was a prime Black establishment within Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Scales, born in 1926 to Henry Preston and Willie Burkeen Scales, was a civic leader, politician, and a small business owner in Murfreesboro, TN. He owned The Friendly Spot Café, the Weeping Willow Motel and Café, and the Scales and Sons Funeral Home. Scales was the first African American elected to the City Council of Murfreesboro. He was a local hero who sadly passed away in October of 2000. Robert's wife Mary C. Scales also pursued public service as a Councilwoman for four years. Their daughter Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris continued her parent's legacy of public service going on to become Vice-Mayor.
Star Cleaner
Star Cleaner, owned by Charles E. Howse and located at 401 South Maney Avenue, was a prominent Black business in Murfreesboro Tennessee. The business offered expert cleaning and pressing, free mothproofing, sizing process, and free box storage at their location. A licensee of Fashion-Finish, Howse’s establishment claimed “One Hour Service” in a local advertisement.
Simon Glanton's Grocery (Cash Grocery)
Address: 467 Hancock StreetThe Cash Grocery, owned by Simon Henry and Lydia Jackson Glanton, was a small Black business staple. Simon Henry Glanton was born on May 6, 1911, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and registered for the draft in World War II at the age of 29. At the time he was living at 705 E. Street in Murfreesboro with his wife Lydia. In 1950, Glanton’s name appears as he posted bail for Sam Henry Batey Jr. who was wrongfully accused as a “peeping tom.” Batey Jr.’s petition for the writ of habeas corpus contends that he was walking down the street when he was “most brutally beaten” by police and did not receive a trial as prescribed by law for his supposed actions. At the time of the arrest, no ordinance was made against “prowling and loitering” or acts the “create public alarm and terror.” Such ordinances, like ones implemented by the city council a few weeks after Batey Jr.’s arrest, were common tools of segregation era politics in which enforcement varied by race. Simon H. Glanton, undertaker John Killgo, and Ethel May Scott, all contributed to the $250 bond to release Batey Jr. on bail.
