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History of Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Journey back in time to Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Visit Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.
Do You Have Memphis Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was slain in 1968. The museum preserves the motel and tells the history of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Elvis Presley's home called Graceland is located in Memphis. Graceland is the second most visited house in the country.
Cotton made Memphis a major port on the Mississippi River. The Memphis Cotton Exchange still handles approximately one-third of the entire American cotton crop each year.
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There is MUCH more to discover about Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Read on!
Memphis Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Water Front, Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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United States Custom House, Court House and Post Office, Memphis, Tenn.
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Discover Memphis: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1854 - Memphis
Memphis, a flourishing city and port of entry of Shelby county, Tennessee, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi river, just below the mouth of Wolf river, and on the 4th Chichasaw bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis, and 209 miles W. S. W. from Nashville. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans, and occupies the only eligible site for a commercial depot from the mouth of the Ohio to Vicksburg, a distance of 650 miles. The bluff on which it stands is elevated about 30 feet above the highest floods, and its base is washed by the river for a distance of three miles, while a bed of sandstone projects into the stream and forms a convenient landing. The appearance of Memphis from the river is remarkably fine. An esplanade, several hundred feet wide, extends along the bluff in front of the town, and is bordered with blocks of large warehouses. Travellers who have recently visited Memphis, express astonishment at the signs of improvement... Read MORE...
Memphis, a flourishing city and port of entry of Shelby county, Tennessee, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi river, just below the mouth of Wolf river, and on the 4th Chichasaw bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis, and 209 miles W. S. W. from Nashville. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans, and occupies the only eligible site for a commercial depot from the mouth of the Ohio to Vicksburg, a distance of 650 miles. The bluff on which it stands is elevated about 30 feet above the highest floods, and its base is washed by the river for a distance of three miles, while a bed of sandstone projects into the stream and forms a convenient landing. The appearance of Memphis from the river is remarkably fine. An esplanade, several hundred feet wide, extends along the bluff in front of the town, and is bordered with blocks of large warehouses. Travellers who have recently visited Memphis, express astonishment at the signs of improvement... Read MORE...
1866 - Fire
Memphis, Dec. 19. - A fire broke out in the basement of Joseph Speet's confectionery, Madison street, at three o'clock this morning, resulting in an appalling disaster. Sixteen persons sleeping in the fourth story were suffocated or else woke to a sense of their situation and leaping through the windows were crushed on the pavement below.
William J. Ehle, wholesale notion dealer and son-in-law of Speet, and his wife and child were asleep. Captain Waldraven, Chief of the fire Department, ascended by a ladder to the room and found the wife dead; Ehle was laying on the floor, and had just strength to point to the cradle where the child, four weeks old, was, and dropped lifeless. Waldraven seized the child and escaped through the window, the blankets over its face having saved it.
James Bartle, employed there, jumped from the fourth-story window and escaped with slight injuries. Several others attempted it, but were dashed to pieces on the rocks. Nine Negroes employed in the... Read MORE...
Memphis, Dec. 19. - A fire broke out in the basement of Joseph Speet's confectionery, Madison street, at three o'clock this morning, resulting in an appalling disaster. Sixteen persons sleeping in the fourth story were suffocated or else woke to a sense of their situation and leaping through the windows were crushed on the pavement below.
William J. Ehle, wholesale notion dealer and son-in-law of Speet, and his wife and child were asleep. Captain Waldraven, Chief of the fire Department, ascended by a ladder to the room and found the wife dead; Ehle was laying on the floor, and had just strength to point to the cradle where the child, four weeks old, was, and dropped lifeless. Waldraven seized the child and escaped through the window, the blankets over its face having saved it.
James Bartle, employed there, jumped from the fourth-story window and escaped with slight injuries. Several others attempted it, but were dashed to pieces on the rocks. Nine Negroes employed in the... Read MORE...
1869 - Runaway
A runaway horse attached to a milk cart, in Memphis, the other day, ran over four children, killing two of them.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 19, 1869
A runaway horse attached to a milk cart, in Memphis, the other day, ran over four children, killing two of them.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 19, 1869
1878 - 5,200 Memphis residents died due to yellow fever epidemic
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ tntimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ tntimeln.htm
1880 - January 21 - 1st US sewage disposal system separate from storm drains, Memphis, Tennessee
historyorb.com
January 21, 1880
historyorb.com
January 21, 1880
1886 - September 14 - George K Anderson of Memphis, Tennessee patents typewriter ribbon
historyorb.com
September 14, 1886
historyorb.com
September 14, 1886
1892 - MEMPHIS' CONFLAGRATION. Several Buildings Destroyed, Entailing Losses of Over a Million.
MEMPHIS, Feb. 9. - A most disastrous conflagration broke out in the building No. 230 Main street, occupied by the Druz-Berne Hat company, at 9:30. The building, which was of six stories, was doomed, and all efforts were concentrated in an endeavor to save adjoining property. At 10:15 the Druz-Berne building fell in with a crash, and a few minutes later the building of the Langstaff Hardware company, which adjoined it at the south, fell into the space formerly occupied by the hat building. The trunk factory to the north, occupied by S. LEVY, was then a mass of flames and soon was a total wreck. The fire continued spreading and by midnight Lanbrman's hotel, the finest south of the Ohio river, "The Ruby" saloon, and a large harness factory and another building were either burning or destroyed. So far as know there has been no loss of life. The loss will probably exceed $1,000,000.
Lincoln Evening News
Lincoln, Nebraska
February 9, 1892
MEMPHIS, Feb. 9. - A most disastrous conflagration broke out in the building No. 230 Main street, occupied by the Druz-Berne Hat company, at 9:30. The building, which was of six stories, was doomed, and all efforts were concentrated in an endeavor to save adjoining property. At 10:15 the Druz-Berne building fell in with a crash, and a few minutes later the building of the Langstaff Hardware company, which adjoined it at the south, fell into the space formerly occupied by the hat building. The trunk factory to the north, occupied by S. LEVY, was then a mass of flames and soon was a total wreck. The fire continued spreading and by midnight Lanbrman's hotel, the finest south of the Ohio river, "The Ruby" saloon, and a large harness factory and another building were either burning or destroyed. So far as know there has been no loss of life. The loss will probably exceed $1,000,000.
Lincoln Evening News
Lincoln, Nebraska
February 9, 1892
1892 - March 17 - A winter storm in southwestern and central Tennessee produced 26 inches of snow at Riddleton, and 18.5 inches at Memphis. It was the deepest snow of record for those areas.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1895 - Memphis
Memphis, a city and port of entry of Shelby co., Tennessee, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi River, just below the mouth of Wolf River, and on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis, 209 miles W.S.W. of Nashville, and 826 miles above New Orleans. Lat. 35° 8' N.; lon. 90°5' W. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans, and occupies the only eligible site for a commercial depot from the mouth of the Ohio to Vicksburg, a distance of 650 miles. The bluff on which it stands is elevated about 60 feet above high-water mark, and its base is washed by the river for a distance of 3 miles, while a bed of sandstone projects into the stream and forms a convenient landing. The city contains many churches, both white and colored, 5 academies, a public library, a number of national and other banks, a chamber of commerce, about 60 public free schools, a cotton exchange, a custom-house, a large hospital, a Roman Catholic college, and ... Read MORE...
Memphis, a city and port of entry of Shelby co., Tennessee, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi River, just below the mouth of Wolf River, and on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis, 209 miles W.S.W. of Nashville, and 826 miles above New Orleans. Lat. 35° 8' N.; lon. 90°5' W. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans, and occupies the only eligible site for a commercial depot from the mouth of the Ohio to Vicksburg, a distance of 650 miles. The bluff on which it stands is elevated about 60 feet above high-water mark, and its base is washed by the river for a distance of 3 miles, while a bed of sandstone projects into the stream and forms a convenient landing. The city contains many churches, both white and colored, 5 academies, a public library, a number of national and other banks, a chamber of commerce, about 60 public free schools, a cotton exchange, a custom-house, a large hospital, a Roman Catholic college, and ... Read MORE...
1906
Memphis, a city and capital of Shelby co., Tenn., is beautifully situated on the Mississippi River, just below the mouth of the Wolf River and on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, 209 miles WSW. of Nashville and 820 miles above New Orleans. Lat. 35° 8' N. ; lon. 90° 5' W. It is an important railroad centre, the Illinois Central, the Louisville and Nashville, the Southern and several other roads converging here. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans. The bluff on which it stands is elevated 40-50 feet above high-water mark and its base is washed by the river for a distance of 3 miles. The city, which is beautifully parked, has a number of imposing or conspicuous public buildings, as the cotton exchange, merchants' exchange, custom-house, hospitals, opera-house, auditorium, etc., and among educational institutions the Christian Brothers' College, St. Agnes Academy, Cossett Free Library, Le Moyne Normal Institute, the Memphis Hospital Medical... Read MORE...
Memphis, a city and capital of Shelby co., Tenn., is beautifully situated on the Mississippi River, just below the mouth of the Wolf River and on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, 209 miles WSW. of Nashville and 820 miles above New Orleans. Lat. 35° 8' N. ; lon. 90° 5' W. It is an important railroad centre, the Illinois Central, the Louisville and Nashville, the Southern and several other roads converging here. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans. The bluff on which it stands is elevated 40-50 feet above high-water mark and its base is washed by the river for a distance of 3 miles. The city, which is beautifully parked, has a number of imposing or conspicuous public buildings, as the cotton exchange, merchants' exchange, custom-house, hospitals, opera-house, auditorium, etc., and among educational institutions the Christian Brothers' College, St. Agnes Academy, Cossett Free Library, Le Moyne Normal Institute, the Memphis Hospital Medical... Read MORE...
1907 - $65,000 LOSS AT MEMPHIS. Freight House and Twenty-Five Car Loads of Merchandise Burned.
Memphis, Tenn., March 21. - A freight house of the Illinois Central Railroad, situated at the corner of Shelby and Calhoun streets in the southern part of this city, together with twenty-five car loads of merchandise and six empty freight cars were destroyed by fire tonight, entailing a loss estimated at $65,000. The fire originated in the freight-house, which is situated in the midst of a number of warehouses and cotton sheds and within half a block of the union passenger station, and for a time these structures were endangered. The fire, however, was practically confined to the building in which it originated.
The Dallas Morning News
Dallas, Texas
March 24, 1907
Memphis, Tenn., March 21. - A freight house of the Illinois Central Railroad, situated at the corner of Shelby and Calhoun streets in the southern part of this city, together with twenty-five car loads of merchandise and six empty freight cars were destroyed by fire tonight, entailing a loss estimated at $65,000. The fire originated in the freight-house, which is situated in the midst of a number of warehouses and cotton sheds and within half a block of the union passenger station, and for a time these structures were endangered. The fire, however, was practically confined to the building in which it originated.
The Dallas Morning News
Dallas, Texas
March 24, 1907
1968 - Marin Luther King, Jr. Killed
At 6:05 P.M. on Thursday, 4 April 1968, Martin Luther King was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. News of King’s assassination prompted major outbreaks of racial violence, resulting in more than 40 deaths nationwide and extensive property damage in over 100 American cities. James Earl Ray, a 40-year-old escaped fugitive, later confessed to the crime and was sentenced to a 99-year prison term. During King’s funeral a tape recording was played in which King spoke of how he wanted to be remembered after his death: “I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others” (King, “Drum Major Instinct,” 85)...
kinginstitute.stanford.edu
April 4, 1968
At 6:05 P.M. on Thursday, 4 April 1968, Martin Luther King was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. News of King’s assassination prompted major outbreaks of racial violence, resulting in more than 40 deaths nationwide and extensive property damage in over 100 American cities. James Earl Ray, a 40-year-old escaped fugitive, later confessed to the crime and was sentenced to a 99-year prison term. During King’s funeral a tape recording was played in which King spoke of how he wanted to be remembered after his death: “I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others” (King, “Drum Major Instinct,” 85)...
kinginstitute.stanford.edu
April 4, 1968
1977 - Elvis Presley dies, August 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
August 16, 1977
August 16, 1977
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Memphis:
Graceland:
Visit the home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley. Explore the mansion, Elvis's car collection, and other exhibits.
Beale Street:
Experience the vibrant nightlife and musical history of Beale Street. Live music, clubs, and great food await you.
Memphis Zoo:
Spend a day at the Memphis Zoo, home to over 3,500 animals representing more than 500 species.
National Civil Rights Museum:
Located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum provides a powerful and moving exploration of civil rights history in America.
Sun Studio:
Take a guided tour of Sun Studio, often referred to as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, and learn about the legendary musicians who recorded there.
Shelby Farms Park:
Enjoy outdoor activities at one of the largest urban parks in America. You can bike, paddleboard, or simply have a picnic in this beautiful space.
Memphis Riverfront:
Take a stroll along the Mississippi... Read MORE...
Graceland:
Visit the home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley. Explore the mansion, Elvis's car collection, and other exhibits.
Beale Street:
Experience the vibrant nightlife and musical history of Beale Street. Live music, clubs, and great food await you.
Memphis Zoo:
Spend a day at the Memphis Zoo, home to over 3,500 animals representing more than 500 species.
National Civil Rights Museum:
Located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum provides a powerful and moving exploration of civil rights history in America.
Sun Studio:
Take a guided tour of Sun Studio, often referred to as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, and learn about the legendary musicians who recorded there.
Shelby Farms Park:
Enjoy outdoor activities at one of the largest urban parks in America. You can bike, paddleboard, or simply have a picnic in this beautiful space.
Memphis Riverfront:
Take a stroll along the Mississippi... Read MORE...
Our Memphis Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Memphis Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Memphis.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Charles W ADAMS (16 August 1817, Boston, Massachusetts, USA - 10 September 1878, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)
Mary Ann EDWARDS (1842, Lawrence, Indiana, USA - 26 April 1937, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)Maria Caroline RODNER (1843, Ascension Parish, Louisiana, USA - 13 February 1925, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)
Justillian Cassie BERNARD (11 September 1861, , Tennessee, USA - 14 November 1910, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)Lula Ada TUTOR (2 January 1866, , Mississippi, USA - 7 May 1947, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)William Sherman TOWNE (9 June 1868, Belchertown, Massachusetts, USA - 15 January 1943, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)Belle Virginia BREWER (April 1870, , Illinois, USA - 1910, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)Robert Edward HITE (21 December 1881, Memphis, Tennessee, USA - 2 May 1941, Des Moines, Iowa, USA)Constance BERNARD (13 January 1890, Shelby, Tennessee, USA - May 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA)Ancestors Who Were Married in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Memphis.View Them Now
George W WILLIS (1830 - 1863) and Rebecca Melissa PARKS (28 December 1826 - ) married 23 December 1847John Hue GRAY (10 December 1886 - 3 January 1984) and Belle Ophelia CRAWFORD (7 June 1886 - 19 July 1965) married 10 April 1912
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