Memphis, Tennessee: home of Elvis Presley and the blues
by Paul H. Green
Memphis is best known for blues, rock-n-roll, barbecue, and its profound cotton industry. Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County located on the Lower Chickasaw Bluff above the Mississippi River. When you visit the city you will notice a 32-story stainless steel arena in the shape of a pyramid. This pyramid makes perfect sense when you take into account the city was named after the ancient capital of Egypt's Nile River.
The population of Memphis was estimated to be 680,768 in 2006. Memphis is approximately 200 miles west of Nashville and 300 miles south of St. Louis.
A brief history of Memphis
John Overton, James Winchester, and Andrew Jackson founded Memphis in 1819.
The city flourished on cotton and was a stronghold in southern slavery. Memphis was devastated financially when the Confederacy was defeated during the Civil War. However, rail transportation and riverfront location helped the city to regain ground and Memphis became the second largest inland port.
In the 1870s, Memphis was plagued with yellow fever epidemics. Public health measures were unsuccessful because it was not known that a mosquito vector carried the fatal disease. By 1879, Memphis lost its city charter because several people died or fled the area due to the epidemics. However, sanitation improvements later made it possible to remove the mosquito vector breeding grounds and the city once again began to flourish.
During the 1970s and 1980s the city underwent another downslide, but quickly recovered by adding new attractions. Today, folks come from all around to see where Elvis lived, stroll down Beale Street and enjoy all Memphis has to offer.
Memphis colleges and universities
Memphis offers many places to obtain higher education such as the University of Memphis, Rhodes College, Le Moyne-Owen College, Crichton College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Christian Brothers University. The city also offers several smaller specialty colleges including Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis College of Art, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
Memphis cultural heritage
Memphis is noted for its cultural influence to the identity of the American south, especially musical and culinary arts. Several famous blues musicians grew up in or around the Memphis area and performed there regularly. Some of these musical icons included Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and Howlin' Wolf.
Johnny Cash (King of Country), Elvis Presley (King of Rock-n-Roll), and B. B. King (King of Blues all got their start in Memphis during the 1950s. Several other famous musicians who grew up or got their start in Memphis include the Box Tops, the Gentrys, Aretha Franklin, Carl Perkins, John Lee Hooker, Justin Timberlake, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby ?Blue? Bland, Charlie Rich, Lucero (band), Al Green, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison, Willie Mae Ford Smith, Sam Cooke, Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Arthur Lee, Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, The Staple Singers, Sam and Dave, Shawn Lane, The Sylvers, Anita Ward and ?Father of the Blues? W.C. Handy.
Rich in musical heritage, Memphis also has a longstanding culinary legacy mainly renowned for barbecue. Memphis barbecue is unique due to the sole usage of pork rib and shoulder meat cuts. The barbecue celebration reaches its climax in May of each year with the Memphis in May Festival and the annual Memphis in May Barbecue Cook Off.
Memphis downtown
Downtown Memphis is the perfect starting point for touring the city. Every year crowds of people are drawn to Memphis because it has much to offer. The downtown area offers cuisine to soothe any taste, whether it's American, Japanese, German, Russian, Indian, Italian, or Greek - there are over 160 restaurants to choose from. And don't forget to try the famous barbecue while visiting the area.
The downtown shopping offers over 450 retailers, with everything from jewelry, art, clothing, home accessories, gourmet foods, and antiques. After a day of shopping, what better way to relax than to listen to live music along the popular Beale Street? Memphis has a wide variety of music to accommodate your specific taste - blues, bluegrass, rock-n-roll, jazz, country, and gospel.
Other Memphis attractions
You will not want to miss the opportunity to take a tour of Graceland www.elvis.com , the home of Elvis Presley (King of Rock-n-Roll). Graceland is a 14-acre estate and mansion featuring memories of Elvis's life and stardom. Second only to the White House, Graceland is one of the most visited houses in the United States. Several couples have shared their special day at the Graceland Chapel in the Woods. Tourists can view where Elvis is buried and read his unforgettable tombstone or view his extensive automobile and motorcycle collection.
For those who adore history, Memphis has a wide selection of museums. Some of these museums include the National Civil Rights Museum, the Memphis Rock n' Soul Museum www.memphisrocknsoul.org ,the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum, Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Children's Museum of Memphis.
Families can enjoy the Memphis Zoo, a day at Mud Island or maybe even a game or concert at the Pyramid Arena. There's something for everyone in Memphis. The Children's Museum of Memphis www.cmom.com offers hands-on educational activities for families to participate in. The museum features a skyscraper maze, an airplane cockpit, a fire engine, an art studio, grocery store, and a mechanic's garage.
Plan your next vacation and experience the hidden wonders within Memphis, Tennessee.