Whitehaven, Memphis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whitehaven, Memphis
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 Whitehaven, Memphis
Location in Tennessee
Whitehaven, Memphis
Location in the United States
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| Country State County |
United States Tennessee Shelby |
| Settled | 1851 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47 km2 (18.0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 90 m (295 ft) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 50,000 |
| • Density | 331.2/km2 (857.9/sq mi) |
| approx. | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
38109, 38116
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| Area code(s) | 901 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1304540 |
| Website | Official Website: http://www.memphismemphis.com/whitehav.htm |
Whitehaven is a community located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It is sometimes called "Blackhaven" because most of its residents are African-American. It started in the late 1800s as a neighborhood for wealthy white families. Today, about 50,000 people live there.
Contents
History of Whitehaven
The name Whitehaven comes from Colonel Francis Marion White (1810–1887). He was an early settler and a major landowner. Colonel White helped bring a railroad line through the area. This place was first called White's Station, then later Whitehaven.
The railroad helped cotton farms in the Mississippi Delta send their cotton to Memphis. From Memphis, the cotton was loaded onto steamboats and sent to New Orleans. Colonel White was a leader of the Mississippi & Tennessee Railroad Company for many years. He owned over 200 enslaved people.
The first trains ran through Whitehaven in 1856. The first "White Haven" post office opened in 1871. Other early families in the area included the Raines, Hale, McCorkle, and Harbin families. E. W. Hale opened a store in the 1880s near what is now Whitehaven High School. This store was a well-known spot for many years.
In 1926, the WREC radio station began operating here. In 1928, Hoyt B. Wooten from Whitehaven was one of the first people in America to get a television license. His original home is now part of a private neighborhood called Lion's Gate.
In the mid-1900s, Carrington Jones and Lacy Mosby helped develop Whitehaven. They built new homes for families moving from Memphis. This changed the area from farmland into neighborhoods in the late 1940s and 1950s. Whitehaven grew from 1,311 people in 1950 to 13,894 people in 1960.
On January 1, 1970, Whitehaven became part of the City of Memphis. Before this, many residents did not want to join Memphis. After Whitehaven became part of the city, many white families moved to other suburbs outside Memphis. This led to Whitehaven becoming a community where most residents are African American. Whitehaven is now part of South Memphis.
Geography of Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a neighborhood in South Memphis. It is bordered by Brooks Road to the north and the Mississippi state line to the south. The Illinois Central Railroad is to the west, and Airways Boulevard is to the east.
The main road in Whitehaven is U.S. Route 51. This road is now known as Elvis Presley Boulevard. It started as a toll road built in 1852 between Memphis and Hernando, Mississippi.
Arts and Culture
Whitehaven is home to Graceland mansion, the famous home of Elvis Presley. Many thousands of tourists visit Graceland each year, especially during Elvis Week. This event remembers Elvis on the anniversary of his death, August 16, 1977.
Elvis Presley bought Graceland in 1957. He lived in Whitehaven for two decades and was a beloved neighbor.
Southland Mall
Southland Mall opened in 1966. It is located at the corner of Shelby Drive and Highway 51 South (now Elvis Presley Blvd). The mall is still a popular place for shoppers. It was the first enclosed mall in Memphis and helped the community grow.
Parks and Recreation
David Carnes Park is named after David Carnes, an early African-American landowner. His property is now where the park stands. In 2019, David Carnes Park had a big renovation. It now has a splash pad, a playground, walking paths, and sports fields.
Education in Whitehaven
Whitehaven has several high schools and many other schools.
High Schools
Five high schools are located in the Whitehaven area:
- Fairley High School
- Hillcrest High School
- Pathways In Education
- Whitehaven High School
- Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Whitehaven High School opened by 1911 and was the only high school for a long time. Hillcrest High School opened in the 1960s. A friendly rivalry grew between the two schools, especially during football season. Bishop Byrne, a private Catholic high school, was open from 1966 to 2013.
Public Schools
- Whitehaven High School
- Hillcrest High School (Green Dot Charter system affiliate)
- Havenview Middle School
- A. Maceo Walker Middle School
- Whitehaven Elementary School
- Gardenview Elementary School
- Robert R Church Elementary School
- Oakshire Elementary School
- Holmes Road Elementary School
- Pathways In Education (grades 7–12)
- Fairley High School (Green Dot Charter system affiliate)
- John P. Freeman Optional School (grades K–8)
- Freedom Preparatory Academy Elementary School
- Freedom Preparatory Academy Middle School
- Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Private Schools in Whitehaven (ZIP code 38116)
- Bishop Byrne Middle and High School (closed)
- St. Paul Catholic School (grades PK–8th)
- City University Preparatory Schools and Liberal Arts
- Du Bois School of Arts & Technology (closed)
- Memphis Preparatory School (closed)
Notable People from Whitehaven
Many well-known people have connections to Whitehaven, including:
- DJ Paul
- Tommy Wright III
- Princess Loko
- Gangsta Boo
- K. Michelle
- Drumma Boy
- Gangsta Pat
- Dontari Poe
- Elvis Presley
- Duke Deuce
- La Chat
- Lou Williams
- Derrick Byars
