Historic Historical Marker Award Ceremony in Tifton June 14
Tifton’s Nixon Family Celebrates Historic Marker Dedication
TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) and the Nixon Family of Tifton are celebrating the historic recognition of the lifetime impact and legacy of service of Frank T. Nixon and Solomon Nixon, Sr. A Historical Marker is being placed in their honor based on their significant role in improving the lives of African American residents in Georgia. During segregation and the Jim Crow era, the father and son provided funerals, ambulance services, groceries, accommodations, and other important services to southwest Georgia’s Black communities and gave support to participants in the Civil Rights Movement.
According to a press release put out by the City of Tifton, the Frank T. Nixon and Solomon Nixon, Sr. historical marker, which will be erected at Frank and Solomon Nixon Funeral Home, is the first marker awarded to any person and the first marker awarded to an African American in Tifton and Tift County, and will become part of GHS’ Georgia Civil Rights Trail.
“The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to work with the community sponsors and descendants of Frank T. Nixon and Solomon Nixon, Sr.,” said Breana James, Program Manager, Georgia Historical Society. “This marker, like the more than 2,000 that make up the Georgia Historical Marker Program, stands ready for anyone and everyone to learn more about our shared history as Georgians. This marker reminds us, in front of the tangible legacy of their family’s funeral home, of the important and unique roles that Frank and Solomon played to expand essential services and civil rights in southwest Georgia.”
The celebration includes a formal ceremony, reception, and exhibition. Both events are free and open to the public. The historical marker dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m. at Frank and Solomon Nixon Funeral Home, located at 2700 South Park Avenue in Tifton. The dedication ceremony will be immediately followed by a reception and exhibition at Chino & Letty’s Place, 102 West 3rd Street in Tifton at 3:00 p.m.
“The legacy of service the Nixon family has given to this community deserves to be honored and remembered. We should all strive to emulate the dedication to humanity and unifying of community achieved by this amazing family. We look forward to sharing in this important day,” said Mayor Julie Smith.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia and American history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. To learn more visit georgiahistory.com.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM The Georgia Historical Marker Program is an important part of the Georgia Historical Society’s (GHS) statewide educational mission. Through a public-private partnership with the State of Georgia, GHS is responsible for erecting new historical markers and maintaining more than 2,000 markers installed by the State prior to the program’s privatization in 1998. Online mapping tools allow users to explore themed marker trails and design custom driving routes. Visit georgiahistory.com for more ways to use Georgia’s historical markers and experience history where it happened.
