South Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee facts for kids

South Memphis is one of the oldest parts of Memphis, Tennessee. It stretches from the city's center, like Midtown and Downtown, all the way to the border of Mississippi. Long ago, it was mostly a farming area.

South Memphis has many well-known neighborhoods. These include Whitehaven, Lauderdale Sub, Longview, Riverside, Lakeview Gardens, Prospect Park, and Westwood. Some of these areas are home to famous hip hop and R&B singers. South Memphis is also known for its many churches and places of worship. Examples include Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Westwood, St. Andrew AME Church, and Monumental Baptist Church.

The Early Days of South Memphis

South Memphis officially became a town on January 6, 1846. Later that month, an election was held to choose a mayor and eight aldermen. A mayor is like the head of the city government, and aldermen are like council members who help make decisions. Sylvester Bailey became the first mayor.

The boundaries of South Memphis were set clearly. To the east, south, and west, they followed the existing South Memphis land. To the north, the boundary started in the middle of the Mississippi River, across from Union Street. It then went east along Union Street until it met Pigeon Roost road.

On September 4, 1846, South Memphis was divided into four smaller sections called wards. John T. Trezevant was mayor in 1847-48, and A. B. Taylor was mayor in 1849. The last meeting of the mayor and aldermen of South Memphis happened on December 31, 1849.

Cool Places to Visit in South Memphis

South Memphis has many interesting places to see. One famous spot is the Stax Museum, where you can learn about soul music. Another very well-known place is Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion, which was his home.

You can also find LeMoyne-Owen College here, which is a historic college. For outdoor fun, there's T.O. Fuller State Park. If you like shopping, check out Southgate Shopping Center and Southland Mall.

South Memphis is also home to some historic cemeteries like Zion, Rose Hill, and Elmwood. When it comes to food, South Memphis has many great restaurants. Some legendary spots include the Four Way Grill, Interstate Bar BQ, and Uncle Lou's Chicken.

Highways and ZIP Codes

Several important highways pass through South Memphis. These include I-55, U.S. Route 51 (also known as Elvis Presley Blvd), and U.S. Route 61 (South Third). The main ZIP codes for South Memphis are 38106, 38109, 38126, and 38116.