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From WHNT-TV
OAKVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The Jesse Owens Museum has been open since 1998. But few knew where it was.
Until now, a portion of Alabama Highway 36 is being renamed in his honor and interstate signs will direct them to the museum.
“I can tell you, as his oldest daughter, and the experiences we’ve had, how much this means to him,” said Jesse Owens’ daughter Gloria Hemphill.
Museum staff says the signs serve not only a historic purpose, but an economic one, driving more tourists to the museum.
“The signs are up and the attendance has correspondingly, I think about tripled,” said museum director Nancy Pinion.
The Appalachian Regional Commission and Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association were among those to help raise $18,000 for the signs they say help an Alabamian treasure.
The new Jesse Owens Parkway is just west of Danville.