"Blind Tom"

"Blind Tom" is a Georgia historical marker in Muscogee County, dedicated 1954.

Located at the intersection of Warm Springs Road and Grey Rock Road in Midland.

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200 feet east is the grave of Thomas Wiggins, (1843-1908). As "Blind Tom" he thrilled audiences here and in Europe with his remarkable musical performances. Born a slave, his native genius let him reproduce perfectly on the piano any sound he heard, including classical compositions and the sounds of birds. His owners, the Bethune family, discovered his rich gift, when they heard exquisite music in their home near Columbus, and found the little blind boy at the piano. He reached the zenith of his fame on European tours during which he played before royalty.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Historical maps covering this location

1837 · Southern States. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1838 · Georgia (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1841 · Alabama. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1842 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1845 · Georgia (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

Georgia, 1842, covering the location of "Blind Tom", with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Georgia, 1842, covering this location. David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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This historical marker is part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program and was erected by the Georgia Historical Commission. Marker texts and locations come from the Society's own marker database.

"Blind Tom"

Historical maps covering this location

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