Evergreen, Memphis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Evergreen Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by N. Parkway, Kenilworth St., Watkins St., and Court Ave Memphis, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000080 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1985 |
The Evergreen Historic District is one of the oldest and most interesting neighborhoods in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a special place because of its history and the way its community came together.
Contents
Exploring the Evergreen Neighborhood
Evergreen is located in an area of Memphis called Midtown. Midtown is known for its large urban park, Overton Park, which is one of the biggest city parks in the United States. The famous Memphis Zoo is also found within Overton Park.
Where is Evergreen?
The Evergreen Historic District covers about 100 acres. It is surrounded by several main roads. To the east, you'll find East Parkway. Cleveland Avenue is to the west. North Parkway forms the northern edge. The southern boundary is mostly Poplar Avenue and Court Avenue.
This neighborhood is close to other areas like Klondike and Smokey City. It's a busy part of Memphis with lots to see and do.
A Community That Fought for Its Home
Evergreen is unique because it mixes old and new homes. This is due to a big event in its history. In the past, there was a plan to build a major highway, Interstate 40, right through the middle of the neighborhood and Overton Park. This would have split the community in half.
The Battle for Evergreen
The people of Evergreen didn't want their homes and park destroyed. They decided to fight against the highway plan. Their fight became very famous. It even went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the country.
In the end, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the neighborhood. This was a huge victory for the community! Even though some homes had already been torn down, builders started to repair the area in the early 1990s. They filled in the empty spaces with new houses.
Evergreen's Historic Status
Today, the Evergreen neighborhood is recognized as a very important place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it has special historical value and is protected. It's a reminder of how a community can work together to save what they love.
Schools in Evergreen
For many years, schools in Evergreen were part of the Memphis School Board of Education. Since 2013, they have been served by the Shelby County Schools district.
Local Schools
The Evergreen area has a public elementary school called Vollintine Elementary School. There is also a K-8 school, which means it teaches students from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. This school is named Snowden School.
