By Jason C. Mattox

Batesville aldermen voted Tuesday afternoon to fund two markers for historical buildings in the city.

PanGens representative John Howell Sr. made a presentation to the board proposing markers for the Jim Bates Home and Mt. Zion Church.

According to information provided at the meeting, the Bates Home on Country Club Road was completed in 1856 and is the oldest structure in the city, having been built by the man for whom the city is named.

Mt. Zion M.B. Church on Hoskins Road was proposed because of Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit shortly before his assassination in 1968.

The markers would be purchased from the Department of Archives and History at a cost between $1,570 and $1,660.

According to the Department of Archives and History Web site www.mdah.state.ms.us, marker text is drafted by the Department of Archives and History with advice and consent of the sponsor.

“We believe that getting the markers for these two locations is a good place to start,” Howell said.

Aldermen voted 4-0 to fund the project.

Outgoing Ward 4 Alderman Bobbie Jean Pounders was absent from the meeting.