Cordova, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cordova, Tennessee
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Cordova Farms Flowers Fellowship sign
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Shelby |
| City | Memphis (majority) |
| Settled | c. 1835 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.019 sq mi (20.77 km2) |
| Elevation | 361 ft (110 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 68,779 |
| Census Bureau American Community Survey | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38016, 38018, 38088
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| Area code(s) | 901 |
| FIPS code | 12-38250 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1281298 |
Cordova is a community in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It's located east of Memphis and is surrounded by other towns like Germantown, Bartlett, and Collierville. Cordova sits about 361 feet (110 meters) above sea level.
Most of Cordova is now part of the city of Memphis. The rest of the area is still part of Shelby County but is expected to join Memphis in the future. The community's borders are generally the Wolf River to the south, Whitten Road to the west, Interstate 40 to the north, and Pisgah Road to the east. Even parts of Shelby Farms are considered part of Cordova.
The Old Cordova Area is the original town center, found around Macon and Sanga Roads. You can still see some of the first buildings there. The Wolfchase Area, which has big shopping centers and businesses, is often linked to Cordova, even though it's technically a separate area.
Contents
Cordova's Early Days
Cordova started as a small farming village in 1835. Back then, it had fewer than a dozen farms. It was famous for its fresh flowers, which were sent to Memphis. This is why the town's old motto was "Farms, Flowers and Fellowship."
Cordova has had a few different names over the years. First, it was called Allentown, then Marysville, and later Dexter. In 1888, a post office opened under the name Dexter. But in 1900, the name changed to Cordova. This was probably to avoid confusion with another town named Dexter on the same railroad line.
Railroad History
Cordova was once a small stop along the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway route to Memphis. The original train station, built in 1889, is still standing today. It's located at the corner of Macon Road and B Street in the old downtown area. A famous train called the City of Memphis, traveling from Nashville, used to stop at this station. During World War II, an important ammunition plant near Cordova was also served by this railroad.
The railroad line ran next to Cordova's main street, which is now Macon Road. This line was part of the N. C. & St. L. Railroad. In 1957, the L & N Railroad took over the N. C. & St. L. Because of this, the section of track between Cordova and Jackson, Tennessee was removed in 1968. The remaining part became a shorter line for the L&N, and later for CSX, until 2002 when it was no longer used. In 2008, this last section of railroad was also removed. Today, part of the old rail line has become an extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline, a popular walking and biking trail.
How Cordova Grew
Cordova has grown a lot! It went from a quiet country village with only 150 people in 1912 to one of the fastest-growing areas near Memphis. In the late 1990s, many new shops and businesses opened, especially because of the Wolfchase Galleria shopping mall. This mall was the biggest shopping center outside of Memphis city limits at the time.
Today, most of the new growth is along Houston Levee Road and Macon Road, as well as big shopping and business centers on Germantown Parkway. There are now over 1,200 businesses in Cordova, employing more than 19,400 people. As of 2020, Cordova has a population of 68,779.
Cordova still celebrates its history. The historic downtown area hosts an annual crafts fair and its own Fourth of July parade.
The community is also home to Hope Presbyterian Church, a very large church with over 7,500 people attending each week. In 2010, another local church, Heartsong Church, gained national attention for welcoming the Muslim community. They allowed Muslim worshipers to use their space during the month of Ramadan while the Memphis Islamic Center was being built. This was seen as a positive example of different faiths getting along.
Cordova has its own branch of the Memphis Public Library system. It started in one room at the old train depot before moving to the community center. In 2004, the library moved into its own modern building on Trinity Road.
The Bert Ferguson Community Center, also on Trinity Road, offers athletic fields, meeting rooms, a walking trail, and a banquet hall for community events and learning.
Famous People from Cordova
- Actress and singer Lucy Hale grew up in Cordova.
- Golfer John Daly lived here for many years.
- Indianapolis Colts running back Jordan Wilkins was born in Cordova.
Historic Places to See
- Cordova Community Center
This building was once the "Cordova School" or "Cordova Elementary School." It also served as a library and a church. Built in 1913, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special historical site. Local citizens bought the building in 1985 to save it. Today, it hosts community events and classes. It even has the Cordova Museum inside, set up like an old school room. There are also sports fields and a gym for community sports. The annual Cordova Festival is held here.
- Cordova Station
This was a one-room train station for the Nashville Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad in downtown Cordova. For over 50 years, it was home to the Cordova Branch Library before the library moved to a new building.
- Sangie Cemetery
This is a very old, privately owned cemetery that dates back to the early 1800s. It's located near Walnut Grove Road and Sanga Road.
- Walter Granville Allen House
This is a private home built in the early 1900s in the Colonial Revival style. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Education in Cordova
Cordova is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools system. Before 2013, when Memphis City Schools and Shelby County schools merged, Cordova was split between the two districts.
Here are some of the schools in Cordova:
- Cordova Elementary School
- Cordova Middle School
- Cordova High School
- Chimneyrock Elementary School
- Dexter Elementary School
- Macon-Hall Elementary School
- Dexter Middle School
- Mount Pisgah Middle School
Some parts of Cordova are also zoned for Germantown Middle School and Germantown High School.
Private Schools
Cordova also has several private schools:
- Briarcrest Christian School (Kindergarten to 12th grade)
- Evangelical Christian School (Kindergarten to 12th grade)
- First Assembly Christian School (Kindergarten to 12th grade)
- Harding Academy (elementary school)
- Heritage Baptist Academy
- Bright Stars Christian Academy (Pre-K to 12th grade)
- Lamplighter Montessori School (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
- St. Benedict at Auburndale High School (9th to 12th grade)
- St. Francis Catholic School (elementary school)
- Shady Oaks School (elementary school)
Higher Education
- Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (MABTS) is located in Cordova. It offers various degrees in Christian studies, including associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.
Recreation and Fun
- Colonial Country Club in Cordova is a private golf club. It used to host a big golf tournament called the Memphis Open. In 1977, something very cool happened there: former President Gerald Ford hit a hole in one during a special event! Later, professional golfer Al Geiberger shot an amazing score of 59, which was a record at the time.
Images for kids
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Cordova Farms Flowers Fellowship sign
