Berclair, Memphis facts for kids
Berclair is a neighborhood located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It is well-known for a main street that runs through it.
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Exploring Berclair's Location
Berclair is surrounded by several important landmarks. To the north, you'll find the CSX railroad tracks. On its eastern side, it borders Interstate 40, Covington Pike, and Stratford Road. Summer Avenue forms its southern boundary, and Graham Street is to the west.
A Look at Berclair's Past
How Berclair Grew
Berclair began to develop soon after World War II. Many small houses were built here, similar to how Levittown in New York was planned. These homes were for soldiers returning from the war and their families. At first, Berclair was not part of Memphis. It became part of the city later, in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Waring Road, a street that goes through Berclair, is named after George E. Waring, Jr.. He was a clever engineer who designed a special drainage system for Memphis. This system helped stop the spread of yellow fever epidemics in the 1800s.
The First Holiday Inn Hotel
The very first Holiday Inn hotel was started in Memphis in 1952. A homebuilder named Kemmons Wilson wanted to create affordable and family-friendly places for travelers to stay across the USA.
Wilson opened the first Holiday Inn in September 1952. It was located at 4941 Summer Avenue in Berclair, right on the main road leading to Nashville. While the original building is no longer there, a special historical marker now stands at the spot to remember where it all began.
