EVERGREEN NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY

THEN & NOW

Vollintine-Evergreen Hein Park Neighborhood Neighborhood

Snowden School North Parkway

EVERGREEN Memphis Zoo HISTORIC DISTRICT

NEIGHBORHOOD OVERTON Overton Park PARK The Shell Memphis

College of Art Parkway East cLean Stonewall M Brooks Art Links at

Evergreen Museun Overton Park Poplar Ave. Target House East End tkins Neighborhood

Wa Court Ave. Cleveland Madison Ave.

Union Ave. ➥ Annesdale-Snowden Central Gardens ➥ Cooper-Young Neighborhood Neighborhood Neighborhood PREFACE

The story of rebuilding on the land vacated for the I-40 extension through Midtown Memphis is a dramatic example of how a neighborhood took responsibility for its future and in so doing, preserved an important part of the city itself. Memphis Heritage, Inc. a non-profit preservation organization dedicated to furthering public appreciation for our historic resources, saw a need to update the l980 Evergreen Neighborhood History in collaboration with the Evergreen Historic District Association. Memphis Interfaith Association (MIFA), publisher of the original history—along with six other neighborhood histories—readily endorsed the effort. This continuation of the Evergreen neighborhood history written by Bette Tilly, one of the authors of the original publication, is intended as a pilot project. Memphis Heritage hopes to update and expand a series of neighborhood histories to reinforce the sense of civic pride characteri stic of historic neighborhoods and to nourish the commitment to preserve such areas.

The original narrative, Yesterday’s Evergreen Today’s Mid-Memphis, chronicles the destruction of homes, displacement of residents, and dissolution of a cohesive neigh- borhood in Midtown Memphis. The new chapter tells the story of reconstruction on the vacated land—like the phoenix rising—and the knitting together of the torn fabric of the Evergreen neighborhood. It is a success story worth telling.

Here, then, are the details remembered by scores of dedicated people who worked at all levels to ensure that an error was corrected and a community was restored; this is a story of creative solutions that moves forward each day in the activities of this warm, caring community in the heart of the city.

Cover design by Teresa Bullock of Flamingo Graphics and house sketches by Ed Garavelli.

1 2 3 YESTERDAY’S EVERGREEN

****

TODAY’S MID-MEMPHIS

A History

By

Bette B. Tilly

with

Pat Faudree

Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)

Memphis, Tennessee, 1980

MIFA Neighborhood History Series # 7

4 CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS 6

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7

Preface 9

Overton Park 10

Poplar Blvd 13

Evergreen—Birth of a Suburban Community 17

The Evergreen Clubs, the School, and the Churches 23

The Growing Community 29

The Business District 35

A Mid-Town Community 39

Progress Come to Evergreen: The Expressway 40

The Corridor in the Community 47

NOTES 58

APPENDICES Appendix A: Residents and Streets in Evergreen - 1980 and 1909 71

Appendix B: Zoo Population and Value- 1908 72

Appendix C: Arch itectural Specifications for a 1916 House 73

Appendix D:Advertisements for Housing- 1902, 1905, 1925 76

Appendix E: Charter Members,Women’s Evergreen Club 80

Appendix F: Poplar Street Listings - 1906- 1920 81

Appendix G: Business Listings: Poplar, Overton Park Avenue,Watkins - 1979 83

Appendix H: Statement form Mid- Memphis Improvement Association 85

Bibliography 87

5 ILLUSTRATIONS

Overton Park Frontispiece

Brennan-Paul Map of Memphis and Suburbs, 1907 12

The Mid-Memphis Area of 1980 15

Street Name Changes 16

Proposed Historic Districts 21

Homes in Evergreen 27

Past and Present on the Parkways 28

The Armistead House 31

Theo W.Ohman Map of Memphis 1925 34

Neighborhood Churches 37

Commercial Life Then and Now 38

The Memphis Expressway System 41

Path of I-40 - The Corridor 46

The Changing Neighborhood 54

The Neighborhood Today 55

The Gallow ay Touch 107

6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This history was made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities, Inc., an affiliated of the National Endowment for the Humanities and with partial funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association.The findings and conclusions herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities, Inc. or the National Endowment for the “Humanities.

The project staff appreciate the generous encouragement from Project Director Jeanne Tacket and the Advisory Committee Members:

Ray Allen Professor Howard Sims Dr. Granville Davis Reverend Gid Smith Mr. Robert Dempsey Dr. Bernice White Dr. Fred Neal Dr. Don Mikula

Bena Cates, MIFA Coordinator, helped in preliminary preparations and in interviewing.Vida Andersen, Mott Coordinator, gave valuable assistance.The “other” MIFA project team—Peggy Jemison,Virginia Dunaway and Ray Ann Kremer—were always available when needed. Lavelle Willis has been extraordi- narily patient as well as efficient in trying to type this history.To all the others on the MIFA staff, thank you.

MIFA wishes to thank the staffs of the History Department and the Memphis Room of the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library; the Memphis and Shelby County Archives; the City of Memphis Mapping and Property Division of Public Works; the City of Memphis Board of Education; the Memphis Area Transit Authority; and the City of Memphis Community Development Program, with special acknowledgment to Ann Bennett, Preservation Planner of the Memphis Landmarks Commission.

Memphis artist, Brett Busang, provided the illustrative front cover as well as a drawing of the Armistead House incorporated into the text.

Pictures have been used with the permission of Sue Reid Williams, Sears, Roebuck and Company, Memphis Park Commission,Women of the Church (Eve rgreen Presbyterian), and the Memphis Room, memphis and Shelby County Public Library. Current photographs were taken by Pat ‘Faudree. Jim Westmoreland, Bob Schuyler, and Mary Thorpe provided necessary materials and assistance.

The Mid-Memphis Improvement Association welcomed the MIFA team into the neighborhood. President Kay Portman has provided assistance in many ways. Past president Agnes Bowe has given invaluable help as have members Mara Jones and Robert K .Williams.

7 Although there is no space here to name them all, residents, past and present, made a unique contribution through their oral interviews. The bibliography contains a full description of these interviews which are to be deposited in the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library and Information Center.

Front cover:Wessell House on Overton Park Avenue by Brett Busang

Back Cover: Scenes on Forrest Street

Center picture: Gluck-Rosenstein House 1640 Forrest

Clockwise from top right:

Montedonico-Perkins House, 1728 Forrest

Stotz-Grehan House, 1740 Forrest

Park-Warren House, 1696 Forrest

Furbringer-Belcher House, 1734 Forrest

Hyde-Shewmaker House, 1750 Forrest

Peters-Wright House, 1705 Forrest

Sparks-Peter House, 1718 Forrest

Riegel Home, 1630 Forrest

8 PREFACE

Over 150 years ago, David Crockett tried to write an introduction to his book. As he labored he complained: “So fashionable has it become to write a preface, that, like an epitaph, it now records of its subject not what it is, but what it ought to be.”1 Today, the preface might not be as much as fash- ionable mandate, but it still provides the author a space to introduce his topic.Thus, I hope to explain both what this history is and a little of what it ought to be.

Perhaps it oug ht to be subtitled (with apologies to Harry Golden) “Only in America.” Where else but in America do you find a society as present-minded as we are—with seemingly little need to preserve our heritage? Certainly, Memphis has not been a backwater town in pushing progress to the detri- ment of old homes, institutions, or sites. Perhaps this little history ought to attempt an analysis of the American vision of “Progress” and the fruits of that dream. Perhaps too it should explain the American fascination with the automobile, the subsequent expressway system, and the resulting consequences for our society today.

Nonetheless, this brief history is not the place to find the answers to those questions.However, Yesterday’s Evergreen does illustrate the effect on one community of our present-mindedness and pre- occupation with the automobile. It is then an attempt to trace the history of a suburban community through the years, from birth to maturit y as a mid-town neighborhood. Evergreen developed around the Overton Park area at the same time as the park.The architecture, the landscaping, even the layout of the streets reflect the Memphis of an earlier era—the new Memphis of the early twentieth century. those homes were still there and in good condition.Then, the City of Memphis decided, with the assis- tance of the State of Tennessee and the Government of the United States, to build an expressway through that neighbo rhood and, of course, through Overton Park.

The early history of Evergreen is fascinating not only because of its association with Overton Park but also because of the colorful characters involved in its development. The recent history is even more interesting. Once again, that account might be labeled “Only in America.” The politics of the Interstate 40 controversy involving the city, the county, the state, and the federal government would be incom- prehensible to a for eigner trying to understand the situation. Then there were the inevitable citizens ‘ groups, some pro, some con, but all always vocal. Surely,“Only in America” would there be twenty years of delay involving the various governing bodies, the courts, the citizens groups, the newspapers, and—to be sure, the engineers and planners who initiated the I-40 route through Overton Park and the Evergreen Community. This brief history is not the comprehensive story of Evergreen th e subur- ban community or of Evergreen, the Mid-Memphis area of modern times. However, it offers a look at life in Memphis both yesterday and today.

l Sketches and Eccentricities of Colonel David Crocket, of West Tennessee (New York: J. and J. Harper, 1833), iii.

9 Overton Park

Overton Park and the residential area surrounding it developed together. The growth of the suburban community, the park, and the parkway system are all linked to the rebirth of Memphis. The bustling port city of 1860—fastest growing in the United States—had become a non-city by 1879. Plagued by poor management and bad debts as well as the yellow fever epidemics, Memphis surrendered its charter to become a taxing district.

By the late 1890s a new Memphis was emergi ng from the ruins. A determined group of entrepreneurs worked to ensure the survival of the city. They had resolved the sanitation problem (Memphis was filthy—living, breathing, and drinking filth) by putting in a system of sewers and using artesian well water. They promoted ‘Greater Memphis,’pushing through a gigantic annexation plan. But an urban area also needed parks, according to L. B. McFarland and Robert Galloway.1

Each of these men has been proclaimed the father of the Memphis park system. McFarland, whose statue still stands in Overton Park, traced the history in his memoirs. He advocated a center city park in downtown Memphis on the site of the Southern Railroad Depot. For about ten years he was a voice in the wilderness, but in the late 1890s city officials decided that Memphis had an inadequate park system.

In 1899 the state legislature authorized the city to issue bonds in order to purchase park land. In 1900 Mayor J. J. Williams establ ished the Memphis Park Commission. Members were L. B. McFarland, first chairman, Robert Galloway, second chairman, and John R. Godwin. The commissioners decided to buy Lea Woods on the northeastern edge of the city and four hundred acres near the Mississippi River. These sites are now Overton and Riverside Parks.2

This first commission also established the Parkway “. . . a belt line . . . accessible to every portion of the city, and connecting Overton and Riverside Parks.” Though much of the land for the beltway was donated, lack of funds slowed progress on the roadway system.Within a decade, however, over eleven miles of parkway had been built around the edge of the city. Bordering Overton Park, of course, was East Parkway (formerly Trezevant) on the east and North Parkway (formerly Summer) on the north. These broad boulevards with landscaped medians of trees, shrubs, and flowers would become a favorite attraction for Sunday afternoon rides.3

Before the Park Commission completed the landscaping of North Parkway, it was the Speedway. This mile-long stretch was the legal place for racing. To keep the races within the Speedway, the city put speedbreakers (called “thank-you-ma’ams”) at either end of the stretch.4

During these years work was proceeding on the new parks.Throughout his life Robert Galloway, the second chairman of the Park Commission, remained an advocate of the completion of the park syste m. He and McFarland wanted the parks to be developed properly. They corresponded with the famous Olmsted Brothers, the designers of New York City’s Central Park. However, the Park Commission selected instead a young, innovative landscape architect, George E. Kessler, a German-born

10 and educated American. Kessler, who began his professional work in Kansas, has been called the founder of a new school of landscape architecture, transforming the formal European design into American naturalism.5

They had one major problem—finances. Liberal contributors however, helped the commissioners reach their goals.The Overton Park playground, for instance, had equipment purchased by the Memphis Park Association. Grocery king Duke Bowers contributed the Bowe rs Wading Pool. In the report of the Park Commission covering the years 1913 to 1915, there are many accounts of such gifts. The Brooks Art Gallery, then under construction, was a gift of Mrs. S. Hamilton Brooks in memory of her late husband.6

That report also noted new additions to the zoo, including a refreshment pavilion, a pheasant forest, and monkey mountain.There are varying accounts of the beginning of the zoo. Most agree that there was a bear named Natch and that Natch came from Natchez. According to one version, shoe king A. B. Carruthers received Natch in payment for shoes.When he put the bear in his yard, Mrs. Carruthers objected.Then he gave the bear to the Memphis baseball team, the Chickasaws.They used Natch as a mascot until he got loose one day and mauled a player. As a last resort, Natch was staked out in Overton Park. Soon other animals joined him and that was the beginning of the zoo.

Another account has the bear coming from the Natc hez baseball team to the Memphis team. Some say Mr. Carruthers backed the zoo; others that Mrs. Carruthers was the first president of the zoo asso- ciation; the records indicate that Robert Galloway was a prime mover. Indeed, many Memphians com- bined to make the zoo a reality. The Overton Park Zoo remained the pride of the city until the 1960s, when a combination of factors soured Memphians. The once proud zoo had become unkempt, with decaying buildings and unsightly grounds, mired in the expressway controversy, the hangout of hip- pies and heavies.7

It is a long way from 1906 to 1966, from the confident optimism of the early twentieth century to the painful pessimism of today. In 1906 Park Commission Chairman Robert Galloway announced that Memphis would have a zoo. The Commission offered to appropriate $1,000 if others would do the same. Supporters raised $3,000 at a ballgame.8

The Memphis Zoo Association, informally presided over by Colonel Galloway for a year, organized offi- cially in 1906. Charter Members were John T.Willingham,A. B. Carruthers, Robert Galloway, E. B. LeMaster, R. B. Henderson, S. L. Finley, Dr. E.A. Neely, Frank Zimmerman,W.H. Bates, G.A. Somarindyck. Their goal was to support the development of a permanent zoo for Memphis.9

In their annual reports the park commissioners had several pages listing donors to the zoo. In 1907 Pawnee Bill gave a baby camel, christened Al Chymia by the Shriners . That year Nashville and Memphis lumbermen held a ballgame with the proceeds going towards buying an elephant for the zoo. Ringling Brothers Circus donated a tiger. Among the donors in 1907 were the Lumberman’s Club, the Zoo Ball Club, the Memphis Street Railway, Barnum and Bailey’s Circus, Hodley Ice Cream Company, eleven schools, and a variety of individuals. Zoo officials named the late Henry Loeb (grand- father of former mayor Henry Loeb) as the individual to give the most specimens to the zoo.10

11 Brennon-Paul Map of Memphis and Suburbs - 1907 Courtesy of Memphis Room, Memphis Public Library

12 Memphians noted with interest the latest about Overton Park and the Zoo. Colonel Galloway brought from Memphis, Egypt, two obelisks from an ancient temple.These were the symbol of the Overton Park Zoo to many visitors for many years. Colonel Galloway also provided funds for a Japanese area in the park where the Art Academy is now located.There was a pool with a pagoda-like structure on an island in the center with a bridge leading to it. However, this unique gift disappeared duri ng World War II. The Overton Park Zoo initiated a free zoo circus in 1925, the first in the world. By 1938 the zoo boasted of a three-ring circus, with wild animal trainer Frank W.Creamer as ringmaster.11

Poplar Boulevard

Through these years of increasing interest in Overton park and Overton Park Zoo, visitors must have noticed the shaded streets and pleasant homes in the community just west of the park. The neighbor- hood grew with the park and has been associated with it bo th through the good years and the bad. Before the twentieth century and the development of the park, much of the area was woodland or farmland.

However, some well-known establishments along Poplar Boulevard antedated Overton Park. Among them were St. Peter Home for Children, the Convent of the Good Shepherd, the Mosby Farm, the Lake Place, and the Lake Avenue School.With the exceptions of the Lake property and the school, all of these were on the south side of Poplar.12

The firs t known settlers of the land along Poplar were the Bettises.Tillman Bettis came to Shelby County in 1818, establishing a farm on the virgin land. His holding ran from today’s Poplar (State Line Road) to Union, and from Cooper to McNeil.The Bettis home faced Union Avenue, and the Bettis Family Cemetery is now in the parking lot of a supermarket.13

After the death of Tillman Bettis, the family divided the estate.Then newcomers appeared along this stretch of Poplar Boulevard.T he Mosbys ran a farm on a section from Poplar to Union along today's Belvedere. It was called Mosby Street for many years. Descendants still lived in the Mosby home at 1671 as late as 1948.Today there is no such address.14

Some of the Bettis land sold to religious institutions.The St. Peter Home for Children moved to Poplar and McLean in 1879, when the St. Peter Literary Society bought twenty-two acres of land in the coun- try on Poplar Boulevard.There the children would have good air and the home would have space for cows, chickens, and a garden.

Since the 1850s the Dominican Sisters of St.Agnes Academy had cared for the orphans. In 1882 the Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky, assumed control.Through the years there have been new buildings and improvements. St. Peter’s is still at Poplar and McLean though in 1979 there are few orphans.The home offers day care and foster care as well as a temporary home when needed. In addi- tion a home for the age d, St. Peter Manor, is on the grounds, and a nursing home is planned.15

13 The Convent of the Good Shepherd was at Poplar and Avalon for about eighty years.The Sisters came to Memphis in 1875, their purpose the rehabilitation of wayward and abandoned girls. In 1880, the institution bought a block-wide area from Poplar to Union.Though they soon sold the southern part, they stayed in the portion between Avalon and Angelus and Poplar to Madison until 1959. When they moved to their new quarters in Frayser, they renamed the establishment the DeNeuvill e Heights School for girls.16

Their property along Poplar surrounded the old burial ground of the Bettis family. According to the family historian, the cemetery still belonged to the Bettises who were to maintain it. The sisters and their wards farmed around the monuments.

In the 1960s the construction crew began clearing land for a shopping center and grocery store. Somehow the cemetery must have been forgotten by either the buyers or the sellers, for much of the stonework fell or disappeared before it was rediscovered. The parking lot of Montesi’s supermarket now includes the walled-in Bettis Family Cemetery.17

Another religious institution long associated with the area is a relative newcomer. The B’nai B’rith Home recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary year.As early as 1919 the newspaper announced the beginning of a campaign to raise $350,000 for a Jewish Hospital. Rabbi Max Samfield of Temple Israel, a leader in the project, kept the idea alive. Finally in 1927, with the help of the B’nai B’rith District Grand Lodge No. 7, the dream became a reality.

The B’nai B’rith Home began as a retirement home for older people in good health. A resident had to be able to carry in his luggage. Today it is a hospital as well, with the median age eighty-two. As it did fifty years ago, the B’nai B’rith Home still serves the elderly Jewish citizens of the area.18

There were fewer established institutions on the north side of Poplar, and the area north of the street remained mostly woods, although truck farmers made inroads on the wilderness. The Lake Place was on the north side of Poplar, the home about where Stonewall Street is today. The owner, Henry W.Lake, gave his name to a street and a school.Today Lake Avenue is North Willett and Lake Avenue School long forgotten.

Indeed, this branch of the Lake family seems to have disappeared also. Henry Lake, grandson of the first Lake, is the last known relative . He was the son of Thomas Winchester Lake and Sarah Jackson Donelson.Apparently he never lived at his grandfather’s home place, for he was born at Orion Hill, the Donelson family home. Henry Lake established the first advertising agency in town and also gave Lake Avenue to the city for a public street.19

Lake Avenue School is listed in the Memphis City Directories during the 1890s. Little more is known about the Lake Avenue Public High School other than the name of the p rincipal, Miss Margaret (Madge) S. Rogers.After 1900 and annexation into the city, the Memphis School Board closed Lake Avenue, a four-room school, to make a consolidated district. It was hoped that the streetcar company would offer reduced fares to students, for they were to be sent to the new Madison Heights School being constructed.20

14 The Mid-Memphis Area of 1980 Courtesy of Mapping Division, City of Memphis

15 Street Name Changes

Present Name Past Name(s) Present Name Past Name(s) Avalon Lumpkin Galloway Dewey, Spring Beard Runnimeade Overton Park Lane

Belvedere Mosby Parkview Overton Park View, Pickett1

Buena Vista Barksdale1, Blaine E. Parkway Trezevant Carnes Peach N. Parkway Summer

Dickinson Maxwell2, Royster Poplar State Line Road3 Evergreen Kentucky,Wicks N.Willett Lake Forrest Forest Williamson Baker, Humes

No longer present: Cooper, May Chestnut4

1Barksdale, Pickett and Willingham Place are listed on a 1909 map.Willingham Place was an exten- sion of Autumn east of McLean with Barksdale and Pickett going north off of it to Galloway.

2Maxwell Street was noted on a 1902 plat drawing (Shelby County Plat Book 4, Page 14) as being to the west of the present location of Dickinson between Dewey (Galloway) and Summer (Parkway). When lots were later laid out, the street became lots A B C and D of Evergreen Subdivision, and the street was moved east so that it became a continuation of Maxwell. Subsequently the name was changed to Dickinson, probably named for J. M. Dickinson who owned much of the property through inheritance from John Overton (Shelby County Plat Book 4, page 22). (The 1907 map in this book shows these lots and subdivision.)

3In Jenkins’ book Old Roads the earlier history of Poplar Street is explained. In 1823 the Commissioners wanted to “locate a p ublic road from Memphis to the east.”This was known as State Line Road, part of which was what is now Poplar between Manassas and E. Parkway. It passed by a famous spring around Garland Place. By the 1850’s the road had been planked to LaGrange.

Shown on a 1900 map are three streets in what became Overton Park—Cooper(an extension along its present location), May (parallel to Cooper, half-way between Cooper and McLean), and Chestnut (beginning at Cooper, running west to just pa st May street). Although houses are not found to be present, Cooper is listed in city directories 1900 to 1909 as being in existence north of Poplar, through the present park area. May Street is listed in the city directory at least until 1906 as run- ning north from Poplar one street east of McLean. The three streets are also pictured in a real estate advertisement of 1891 and in Shelby County Plat Book 3, page 10 (2/10/1892), showing the Overton Lea property.

16 One prominent alumnus of the Lake Avenue School was Laurence Cabell Humes. Born in Virginia, Humes moved to the Memphis area with his family while very young. His grandfather, confederate general W.Y.C. Humes, had already settled in the city.The Laurence Humes family lived on the corner of Poplar Boulevard and Humes Street (now Williamson Street).

L. C. Humes went from Lake Avenue High School into the business world. He became vice-president of Union Planters, president of the Memphis Board of Education, and the recipient of a lasting gift— the naming of Humes High School in his honor.21

One other establishment on the north side of Poplar should be mentioned. In 1906 Fairyland Amusement Park opened. It was built on the site of the Parkview Hotel—as the advertisements said, adjacent to Overton Park. The proprietors undoubtedly hoped to capture some of the visitors to the park. Fairyland offered general outdoor amusements, an ice skating rin k, and a theater. Exactly how much was built and how much simply proposed is not known, but the Fairyland Musical Stock Company presented a summer season of shows in 1908. East End, the better known amusement park, was just south of Fairyland between Poplar and Madison. However, there was hardly time for competition to develop, for Fairyland burned in 1909.22

Evergreen—Birth of a Suburban Community

As Overton Park developed, the area north of Poplar increased in value rapidly. It would be impossible to describe the development of this area, known as Evergreen, without first discussing Robert Galloway. Known as the father of the Memphis Park system, he could also be called the father of the Evergreen community.

By 1900 many had forgotten Colonel Galloway’s humble beginning in Memphis. The son of Scottish immigrants, he entered the work force as a teenager, coming to Memphis in 1863 to clerk for the rail- road. He soon bought a mule and wagon to enter the hauling and storage business, the Patterson Transfer company. Galloway soon became a partner and, later, the owner. He also organized his own company the Galloway Coal Company. He even had a town in Alabama named for him, near his factory there, the Carbon Hill coal and Coke Company.

Robert Galloway had become a distinguished and wealthy citizen of Memphis, acquiring also the hon- orary title of colonel. When Memphis became a taxing district, Galloway was one of the firs t eight commissioners elected. His role in the promotion of the park system has already been described.23

Robert Galloway had the touch of success. He built the Alcazar, Memphis’ first apartment-hotel in 1892. By 1900 he had another project—the development of Evergreen. Galloway built a home on a portion of his large holdings there. Located on what became Galloway Street (then Dewey), it extend- ed to Forrest on the north and from Evergreen to Hawthorne east to west. Galloway ’s home, Glen Mary, faced the Memphis Street Railway line which ran to Raleigh Springs. He listed his address as Evergreen Station.The name Evergreen just appears. It is still not clear whether the name antedated Galloway and Glen Mary or whether he selected the name as representative of the heavily wooded area.24

17 The first subdivisions in this area opened almost simultaneously with the purchase of Lea Woods for a major city park. Later the park commissioners would be criticized for improving Overton Park at the expense of other parks.According to McFarland, some disgruntled citizens suggested that the commis- sioners might be influenced by the fact that they owned land or had interest in subdivisions near the Overton Park area. McFarland emphatically denied that he had any interests whatever in land compa- nies in Evergreen. However Galloway certainly had land and he opened one of the first subdivisions. At the time apparently no one accused Galloway of conflict of interest. Perhaps Lea Woods was a logical purchase anyway; perhaps no one realized the effect the park would have on the nearby area. Certainly the results pleased many and displeased few. It is not possible without much more detailed study to judge the motives of Galloway personally and publ icly, but he was confident that he was serv- ing his city as well as himself. 25

Old-timers, depending on their degree of seniority, remember the boundaries of Evergreen differently. When the Woman’s Evergreen Improvement Club organized in 1909, its boundaries were: Lake (N. Willett) on the west, and Trezevant (East Parkway) on the east.The Evergreen Presbyterian Church history described the Evergreen community of 1910 as Poplar to North Parkway,Watkins to McLean. Frances and Margaret Johnson, whose parents moved to Galloway Street in 1902, remember Evergreen as the area from Dickinson to McLean and Poplar to North Parkway. Miss Camille Sparks’ parents lived on Forrest Street by 1908. She thinks of Evergreen as the community between Poplar and Faxon. In 1925 the Evergreen Club extended its boundaries to Stonewall on the west and Jackson on the north, keeping the Poplar and Trezevant lines.

Even more confusing is the overlapping of curre nt civic association boundaries.The Mid-Memphis Improvement Association includes most of the old Evergreen area although the southern boundary goes below Poplar. Their boundaries are North Parkway to Madison and East Parkway to Watkins. The Vollintine Evergreen Civic Association has incorporated the name Evergreen in its title but includes only a portion. Until 1978 the Southern boundary was North Parkway. When the association reorgan- ized that year, the south ern boundary changed to Overton Park Avenue. The other lines are Cypress Creek on the north,Watkins on the west and Trezevent on the east.

This study will focus on the historic Evergreen community, using convenient and fairly legitimate dimensions: North Parkway to Poplar, and East Parkway to Watkins. Essentially, Evergreen was the area just west of Overton Park with the same north-south dimensions as the park. Most of the population of early Evergreen lived between Dick inson and McLean, Poplar and North Parkway.

Several subdivisions had lots for sale by 1902 and 1903. Primarily developers laid out sites in the center portion. All of these early lots were on east-west streets and faced north and south. The north-south streets such as Evergreen had no houses facing them. Rather the side of the house on the corner would be toward Evergreen, and the front on Forrest or Galloway.26

Finley W.Faxon of the Speedway Land Company developed two subdivisions in the Evergreen area. Faxon’s firm, organized in 1899, is usually associated with North Memphis for they laid out Speedway Terrace, Faxon Subdivision, Highland Heights, and parts of Frayser. Faxon Street is, of course, named for him.28

18 W.P.Chapman, another early developer, opened the Woodland Knoll Subdivision. Both he and his wife became prominent members of the community. Evergreen Presbyterian Church started in their home. Mary Bolling Chapman, a founder of the Bolling-Musser School of Music, was well known in music cir- cles for fifty years. One of the organizers of the Women’s Evergreen Improvement Club, she served as first president.29

There is yet another pioneer in the development of Evergreen, a man also associated with the growth of the Memphis zoo. Albert Blanton Carruthers, president of the Carruthers-Jones Shoe Company, helped develop Highland Heights and Binghampton as well. The Carruthers were also founding mem- bers of Evergreen Presbyterian and of Evergreen Women’s and Men’s Clubs. In 1902 A.B. Carruthers bought Glen Mary and other property from Robert Galloway. The Carruthers Subdivision included Beard (Runnymeade until 1906), Lawrence, and Carruthers between Dickinson and Evergreen. Some of the earliest homes in Evergreen appeared on these streets. Across Evergreen, eastward to Hawthorne the homes are generally younger.30

While some potential homeowners were buying lots in the Carruthers Subdivision, others chose nearby sites. Lake Street or Place (North Willett since 1907) is probably the oldest within the Evergreen boundaries. Henry Lake Subdivision appeared on record in 1892 and several homes sho rtly thereafter. West of Lake were the Garland Place Subdivision, recorded in 1904, and the Willodine Subdivision, on McNeil Street that same year. By 1906 the City Directory listed eleven addresses on Garland Place north to Galloway. Percy Galbreath, builder and agent for Dr. Dudley Saunders, devel- oped the Willodine Subdivision. The Galbreath home, built in 1907, was the first on McNeil Street.31

The pattern of settlement can be understood by looking at transportation routes. The streetcar, called the Memphis Street Railway, ran east on Poplar Boulevard to Montgomery. Colonel Galloway and W.P. Chapman persuaded the company to extend the line further out Poplar. In addition the company built tracks on Evergreen.The streetcar turned north off Poplar onto Evergreen where it went north to Galloway (Dewey). There was already an established route on Galloway, the Raleigh Springs line. The Raleigh Springs street car ran on Galloway (Dewey Street until 1905) through Lea Woods (Overton Park) and on to Raleigh Springs. Thus the commuter could catch or leave the streetcar along Poplar, Evergreen, or Galloway, with only a short walk to reach home.32

Accordingly homeowners chose sites on or near Poplar Boulevard. They also began to settle in the northern portion near Galloway and Evergreen. One whole block of Galloway from Evergreen to Hawthorne and north to Forrest was the property of Glen Mary, the Carruthers home until 1912. Across the street the Charles Henry Johnson family moved into 1749 Galloway in 1902. Mrs. Johnson was the former Ide Carruthers, sister of A. B. Carruthers. The Johnson home, still lived in by members of the family, is a late Victorian two-story frame house. The driveway was behind the house off Evergreen.There was a two-story servants’ house and carriage house. An alley behind the lot served as a back street. Many of the early homes had driveways off the alley leading to the servants’ house and carriage house or later the garage.

The Johnson’s large lot has grown smaller as the city widened and graded the street; the surrounding woods have shrunk as more homes were built. But the house is still surrounded by foliage in a very attractive setting.33

19 There were only a few other homes there in 1902-03. In 1905 Dewey Street changed to Galloway Street. It is also the first year that houses in this area had city numbering. The Memphis City Directory of 1905 lists the houses on Galloway from Dickinson to McLean:

1688 Gwynn, E. B. 1700 Newland, H. C. 1731 Stranahan, S . R. 1738 Carruthers,A. B. 1749 Johnson, C. H.34

The Stranahan house is known to neighbors as the Chellis Place, although in fact, the families were related. The Johnson sisters remember that the Chellises lived in the servants’ quarters while the main house was being built. The Evergreen Conservatory first appeared at this address in 1908. As the Johnson sisters recall, old Mrs. Chellis, grandmother of the current owner Chellis Duke, decided to build a greenhouse. In fact, she built two, one behind the house and abutting the Johnson property, the other in the front yard near the street. Although the neighbors were not enthusiastic about a commercial establishment in a residential area, Mrs. Chellis operated the nursery as long as she was able.The listings stopped around 1920.35

By 1910 the number of houses on Galloway from Lumpkin (Avalon) to Hawthorne had doubled. It increased that much again in 1913. Though some of these early homes are still there others have been replaced by more modern structures.36

Just north of Galloway, Forrest Street has retained much of its character. Forrest originally had only one “r,”the name being an apt description of the wooded lane. In time the city began using two “r’s”, honoring Memphis' famous confederate calvary leader, Nathan Bedford Forrest. There are still many trees along the street and a fascinating variety of homes from quaint cottages to stately residences.The Mid–Memphis Improvement Association has been working with the Office of Community Development in selecting portions of their neighborhood for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Forrest from Avalon to McLean is one of the streets under consideration. R. K.Williams, an architect and resident of the area, is one of the volunteers helping with the project. He surveyed the homes on Forrest for the Historical Structures Group Survey, contributing invaluable architectural notes and research information on the owners.37

One of the earliest homes in the block between Dickinson and Evergreen sits high above the street at 1696 Forrest (until 1924 the address was 1702). It is two-story wood with narrow siding on the lower floor and shingles on the upper floor.The Queen Anne style features an elaborate turret in front and dormer elaborations.38

Just across the street at 1709 Forrest is the home known as the Wright Place. It was built in 1903-04 for the I. F.Peters family. Colonel Peters was Commissioner of the Industrial League of Memphis. From 1912 until 1925 there were other owners. Then Mrs. Ka te S.Wright, widow of General Luke E.Wright, moved into the home. Her son and daughter-in-law, the Raphael Semmes Wrights, owned the house until 1970. Kate Wright was the daughter of Confederate Admiral Rafael Semmes. She married Luke

20 Proposed Historic Districts, Office of Community Development, City of Memphis Courtesy of Mid-Memphis Improvement Association and

21 Wright, attorney-general of Shelby County, ambassador to Japan, Secretary of War in Theodore Roosevelt’s cabinet, and Governor-General of the Philippines. The two-story brick house with the bright green roof is distinctive and not only for its Christmas coloring. Built in the early twentieth century, the style belongs to the 1850s Italianate period, with touches of classic revival detail.39

One of the most charming houses, 1640 Forrest, has been owned by members of the same family since it was built in 1907.When Henry and Sarah Rosenstein Gluck moved into their new place it had all the latest conveniences, including dual fixtures for gas and electricity. When the electricity went off, they turned on the gas and the lights kept burning.

The house is in the late Victorian Queen Anne style with classic revival detail. In addition to the narrow wood siding and ell-shaped covered porch, some of the character comes from the arched window in the front gable.The current owner is Frances Rosenstein, sister of Mrs. Gluck. 40

Three unusual houses stand side by side going east on Forrest from the corner of Evergreen.The cor- ner house, built around 1908, later served as a model home for prospective buyers in the neighbor- hood. It first belonged to Samuel L. Sparks. His daughter, Camille Sparkes, explained the use of stone on the lower level.The stone was thrown up during the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812. There it remained in Joplin, Missouri, for a century.The owner offered the stone to Mr. Sparkes if he would pay the cost of transportation.The Sparks painted the upper level green to blend in with the trees.They used the distinctive fieldstone for a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room.41

The house next door was built for L. A. Montedonico by George Mahan, an architect who designed many of the houses in this neighborhood.The Montedonicos lived on Lake (N.Willett) before 1908. After they left Forrest in the 1920s, the family stayed in the neighborhood, going only to Kenilworth.

The brown two-story wood home shows the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, with simple lines and geometric patterns.The addition, the “new” part of the house, dates from the 1920s. It is an integral part of the structure with no signs of an “add-on.”Mrs Jessie Latham Perkins, who grew up on Overton Park Avenue, moved into the home as a young married woman. Her family has been there now fo r fifty years. 42

Her next door neighbor, Mrs. E. R. Belcher, has lived in her home for fifty-one years. Max Furbringer, an architect, built it for himself in 1906-07. Furbringer, a native of St. Louis, was on his way to Texas when he stopped in Memphis. He stayed the rest of his life. By 1904 he had formed a partnership with Walk Jones. For about thirty years the architects built distinguished public and private buildings for Memphis.After the partnership dissolved in the 193 0s, he established the firm of Furbringer and Ehrman.

The Furbringer home is described in a publication by the architect. He used his home as an illustration of a modern “economy” home: This house is built on a very economical plan, every available space having been utilized. There is only one stair and no attic room, but sufficient space for ventilation is provided above the second story rooms. The two-story frame and wooden shingle structure has a gambrel or Dutch-style roo f which provides

22 space for bedrooms upstairs. The look is of a modern, compact home. Inside the rooms appear larger due to his use of dropped molding, set about two feet below the ceiling. Furbringer used grouped windows, geometric patterns, and the simple lines of the Frank Lloyd Wright school of architecture. However, the home also shows touches of Victorian and Greek revival detail.43

Developer W.P.Chapman also built on Forrest. The simple prairie style of the 1909 building has been modifi ed by the elimination of the porch, giving a Georgian appearance to it. The home is usually called the Awsumb place for it has belonged to the family since the 1920s.George Awsumb, Norwegian-born, University of Chicago-educated architect, came to Memphis as winner of the competition to design Ellis Auditorium. He is best known as architect of Idlewild Presbyterian Church. His son Wells Awsumb is now head of the firm, George Awsumb and Sons. The current owner of the home, Georgi anna Awsumb Ensminger, uses it as a duplex.44

The Evergreen Clubs, the School, and the Churches

There are other interesting homes on Forrest, many built from 1910 to 1920, as the street filled in. It takes more than houses to make a community, of course. There are no firm rules by which to decide when a group of houses becomes a neighborhood. Shared activities among the residents through school, church or club are often indicative of community spirit. One significant sign is the formation of a neighborhood organization, the neighbors acting as a unit to obtain their goals.

The residents of Evergreen established not one but two such organizations. In 1909 the ladies met in the home of Mrs. J.W.Gladding who proposed the establishment of an organization devoted to social and civic improvement. There were forty women in attendance at the first official meeting. Mrs. Mary Bolling Chapman became first president with Mrs. June H. Rudisill, secre tary. The next monthly meet- ing was to be at the home of Mrs. R. M.Armistead on Summer (N. Parkway). 45

By the middle of the 1920s the club had changed its name from the Woman’s Evergreen Improvement Club to Woman’s Evergreen Club, the change apparently reflecting the changing emphasis of the organization. Gradually the social aspect overshadowed the second aim of the society, civic improve- ment, 46

In the early days, the club concentrated more on the “improvement” part of the title. Later they worked through the P.T.A.and church organizations to achieve community improvements. In particular, they supported the men’s civic club. Since there are no records and no known surviving charter members, it is impossible to separate the actions of the women’s and the men’s clubs.

The unraveling of the past is complicated even more due to the merger of the two organizations in the thirties. Few people remember that there were originally separate clubs for men and women.Two longtime members of the Men’s Evergreen Improvement Club reminisced in the 1960s.Though each spoke of the needs of the early Evergreen area and of the club’s goals, neither mentioned the women’s club.47

23 Each of these men was important in his community and a well-known Memphian as well. E. 0. Bailey, one of the founding members of the men’s club, came to Memphis from Marshall County, Mississippi. He worked for Orgill Brothers for a number of years, but by 1909 had joined the real estate firm of Roush and Hobbs (who also lived in the Evergreen area). After the deaths of his partners, Bailey estab- lished his own firm.

As a real estate man he became an important suburban developer and is often associated with the growth of Evergreen. In his obituary the newspaper cited E. 0. Bailey’s many deeds. He was a dollar-a-year man in World War I , president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1924, and of t h e Tennessee Real Estate Board that same year. He was a founder of the Tri-State Fair in 1929 and pur- chased certificate number one to the Mid-South Fair in 1942.48

June Howell Haywood Rudisill also had a long association with Evergreen and the club as did his wife with the woman’s club.Their first home in Evergreen was on Carruthers. By 1911 the family had moved to Overton Park Avenue. Mrs. Grace Rudisill Holt, a daughter, recalled how her parents chose that home.They were taking a walk one Sunday afternoon observing the progress of construction on the newer streets. Mrs. Rudisill admired a home and the next day Mr. Rudisill bought it for her. Mrs. Rudisill then cried in despair for the house was much larger than she wanted. However, she grew to lo ve the house, and members of the family lived in it until 1960 when they sold in anticipation of the freeway. It was torn down for the right-of-way.

June Rudisill was another who seemed to begin with little more than his good name. He came to Memphis from Brownsville,Tennessee, to begin his working career. Before the age of twenty-one, he had established the Rudisill Coal Company from a capital base of $250. In subsequent mergers, Rudisill became president of the Memphis Coal Company and then joined the Southern Coal Company. His charitable work embraced many areas, the most well-known being his habit of stopping on the way home from work to visit the sick in the city’s hospitals.49

Both Rudisill and Bailey claimed that the Evergreen Club was the oldest civic club in Memphis and the South, and it was certainly one of the oldest. The two also agreed on the goals and the accomplish- ments. When the club organized, Evergreen had no school, no churches, an d one paved street— Forrest. McLean was a 30–foot wide lane and North Parkway graded but unimproved.50

One of the first goals was to induce the Memphis Board of Education to build a school in the area. Members persuaded Brinkley Snowden, an Overton descendant and holder of Overton property, to donate enough land for a school. Snowden agreed to give the land if the club could prove there were at least 175 children of school age in Evergreen. According to E. 0. Bailey,“We did it, but we had to count some fifteen or twenty gypsy children camped at the present site of Southwestern.”51

Snowden Elementary School opened in 1910. Grace Rudisill Holt attended the first year when there were only four big rooms. Since the desks had not arrived, students sat on the floor. Snowden was a grammar school for grades one through eight until the 1920s when the city started the junior high school system. Snowden then went through grade nine. Much earlier, however, Snowde n had already earned the reputation of one of the finest schools in Memphis.

24 Some of its strength came from the continuing support of the Evergreen Club.The club sponsored the Mother’s Club which soon became the Parent-Teachers’Association. Mrs. E. 0. Bailey was the first president; Camille (Mrs.T.F.) Kelly (subsequently judge of Juvenile Court) a later president. Snowden had the first P.T.A.in Memphis. And the Snowden group helped organize the state P.T.A.as well. By 1925 Snowden had the largest P.T.A.in Tennessee and the third largest in the United States.52

Members of the Evergreen Clubs were also prominent in the early history of area churches. Evergreen Presbyterian supposedly had an ecumenical beginning. As the story goes, residents decided that the community needed a church. These leaders then went looking and chose the Presbyterians because they offered the best deal. In 1910 interested residents of all faiths turned out to hear the new preacher.53

However, both A. B. Carruthers and W.P.Chapman were Presbyterians as were the Rudisills and Mrs. E. 0. Bailey. It seems logical that they would seek support from their parent church. Two facts are cer- tain—Second Presbyterian gave ten thousand dollars and Robert Galloway donated the lot. Including furnishings the cost of the 1910 structure on the southeast corner of Autumn and Dickinson was $15,500.54

Since its establishment Evergreen Presbyterian has had a close association with the neighborhood. Membership grew ra pidly from the original thirty-eight founders. By 1916 an addition had been com- pleted, but the building committee realized that still more room would be needed. By 1928 the mem- bership was 677.

In 1922 Evergreen Presbyterian bought Glen Mary, Galloway’s first house in Evergreen. When A. B. Carruthers moved to St. Louis in 1911, Dr. J. A. Crisler bought the home and a portion of the land. Carruthers kept the eastern portion of the estate. In time it became a subdivision with h ouses extend- ing along Galloway and Forrest to Hawthorne. Then Dr. Crisler moved to a farm and sold his property to Evergreen.

They planned to build a new church on the site, but members preferred to pay off the church’s debts first. Then the depression and and the war came. By the time Evergreen Presbyterian was ready to build, the site was unsuitable. Trinity Methodist Church was just across the street on the southwest side of Galloway and Evergreen. Putting the two churches that close together would have created reg- ular Sunday traffic jams. Trinity then bought Glen Mary for its own use. Evergreen Presbyterian built at Tutwiler and University Streets across from Southwestern.55

The 1910 structure is still at Autumn and Dickinson. The Church of the Latter-Day Saints bought it from Evergreen. Since they moved out, several religious organizations have tried to use the building. There is very little parking around the location, making it sui table only for a small group.According to Jim Wood who lives across the street, Galloway gave the property for the use of a church. If the site ceases to be a church, then the property would revert to the Galloway estate.Today the old Evergreen Presbyterian Church building is being used by a congregation new to the neighborhood. Rev. Sargent Simms is pastor of the Overton Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, a predominantly black congrega- tion.56

25 Trinity United Methodist Church began in 1913 when some women of the neighborhood organized a missionary society. Soon they had Sunday School in their homes. In 1914 the Methodist District bought property on the southwest corner of Galloway and Evergreen.While the church was under construction, members met for services in a tent across the street. In less than a decade the church held groundbreaking ceremonies for a new building to replace the 1916 frame structure. Completed in 1925, this sanctuary is still in use.

Trinity bought the Glen Mary property from Evergreen in 1950. The Methodists followed the example of the Presbyterians using the home for the youth department. Then in 1960 Trinity began construc- tion of a new plant on the site. 1738 Galloway is now the educational building and fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church while Glen Mary is only a memory.57

There were no other churches in early Evergreen, but there were people of many faiths. From the beginning the area was a melting pot of religions with Protestants, Jews, and Catholics coexisting peaceably. Some went to their old church in the downtown Memphis, while others chose newer institutions in today’s midtown area, on Central, Union or Madison.

It is surprising to find Methodist and a Presbyterian but no Baptist Church in Evergreen. From 1916 to 1925 the Memphis City Directory listed an Evergreen Baptist Church, first at 1823 Crump, and then at 732 N. McLean. These addresses are near the present McLean Baptist which is located at McLean and Jackson. Chalmers Walker, a charter member of both Evergreen and McLean, recalled that there was a division in the membership around 1924. Some of the members went to the Seventh Street Baptist Church, and the other members eventually became a part of the founders of McLean Baptist Church.58

Newer to the neighborhood was the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church located at 428 North Watkins. It was organized about 1935, although some of the early members had been a part of the Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian Church, formerly an Associate Reformed Church. It has not been con- sidered a neighborhood congregation since the members have been drawn from all parts of the city.59

Undoubtedly members of the Evergreen Clubs were involved in many activities devoted to the improvement of their community.The men’s club backed the development of the Memphis zoo. When the club decided to support the zoo, it was in a small building with “one bear, one elephant, and a few small animals.”60

The Evergreen Club also pushed to get Southwestern relocated from Clarksville to North Parkway in Memphis.The Club supported Southwestern through the years, and upon disbanding in 1959 left two-thirds of the treasury to the college.61

Used and remembered by many in the community was the Evergreen Clubhouse at 1702 Overton Park on the nort hwest corner of Evergreen. Not so often remembered is that the Woman’s Evergreen Club bought it in 1930 for nine thousand dollars. In 1929 the ambitious women had asked the Park Commission for permission to build a clubhouse on the north end of Williamson Park.While the board had the request under consideration the ladies approached with an alternative proposal. They requested a strip of land along the western border of Overton Park be leased “for a term of

26 27 28 years, on which to build a clubhouse. It would be modern and advantageous to all the community.” The Commission refused to consider the proposal on the grounds that the action would set a bad precedent.62

The women then bought the home at 1702 Overton Park, which was Robert Galloway’s second home in Evergreen. In 1910 and 1911 Galloway had lived there while his final home, Paisley Hall, was under construction. The depression coincided with their purchase and the women could not meet the debt, which is probably one reason they were willing to merge with the men’s club. When the two clubs merged in 1935, the new organization, the Evergreen Club, took over the clubhouse and the debt.

The club never revived after the dormant years during World War II.The very success of its projects perhaps ensured future inactivity. There were no more goals to work for. Finally the few remaining members sold the clubhouse and surrendered the charter.63

The Growing Community

As the establishment of churches, schools, and clubs suggests, Evergreen was a growing community. From 1910 to 1920 open lots along the older streets disappeared rapidly. On newer streets the rate of growth was even more noticeable.

Overton Park Avenue and Stonewall Place are good examples. Until 1907 Overton Park Avenue was named Lane and stopped at Watkins. By 1907 the name had been changed and the street cut through to the park. That year the city directory listed two houses in the Evergreen area (east of Watkins). In 1909 there were only the same two houses. The 1910 city directory included nine addresses with three sites under construction. By 1911 there were twenty-one homes either lived in or under con- struction.”

Overton Park Avenue was a fashionable address—not that there were any bad addresses around Evergreen. The Rudisills moved from Carruthers Street to Overton Park Avenue. The Francis Stanton Lathams left Greenlaw for a new home on the same street. J. C. Pidgeon, president of Coca-Cola Bottling Company, built a large home near the park. The Pidgeon tennis court is now the site of a house. James Alexander and W.W.Wessell, both in construction, chose the street for their home. Wessell was the builder of the Peabody Hotel and of the small row of buildings on the east side of Evergreen at Poplar. He literally left his mark, as can be seen in the stone marker at 1884 Overton Park Place.65

If Memphians drove out to Overton Park Avenue for Sunday afternoon viewing, they must have been impressed by the growing number of fine homes. The most impressive was Robert Galloway’s Paisley Hall, at 1822 Overton Park,“said to be the most pretentious residence in the city.”

According to old-timers Colonel Galloway even had a home built for his physician, so that a doctor would be available when needed. For whatever reason, Dr. Bryce Fontaine did move to Overton Park

29 Avenue the same year as Colonel Galloway. The Fontaine home is across the street from Paisley Hall. When fire broke out in his home, Galloway retreated to Dr. Fontaine’s.66

Robert Galloway had Paisley Hall—named for the Scottish hometown of his father—built after his sec- ond marriage in 1908 to widow May Edmonds of Bridgeport,Alabama. He adopted her two children who became Robert and Roberta Galloway. One of the first parties in Paisley Hall was Roberta Galloway’s coming-out party in 1912.

The three-story, 25,000 square feet of space, which includes a full basement, featured a third—floor ballroom,Tiffany glass, and fine furnishings. Constructed of solid masonry, it had steel reinforced floors, an unusual procedure for the time. Galloway collected extensively on his many trips around the world and his home reflected his tastes.Although recent accounts have estimated the cost of building and furnishing the home at one million dollars, a contemporary article, written when fire damaged the home in 1917, stated that the interior was insured for $100,000 dollars.

Galloway devoted equal attention to the exterior. He kept a full city block for the grounds. Elaborate landscaping included a Japanese garden, the first in the city.67

Mrs. Jessie Latham Perkins still has her schoolgirl diary. In it she described the 1916 Christmas ball given for young Robert Galloway:

Christmas! The most wonderful Christmas eve r. Oh, to be a debutante is marvelous... Went to a Snow Ball at Colonel Galloway’s tonight for Robert. Paisley Hall was the most beautiful place tonight I ever saw.The ballroom was a beautiful scene of snow and ice. Snowmen at the entrance and Christmas trees everywhere. Later there was a regular snow battle. Everyone had snowballs (cotton filled with confetti).The confetti in the form of icicles. Some party!68

Though Colonel Galloway died in 1918, Mrs. Galloway remainedin the home until her death in 1942. The later fate of the mansion, now called the Galloway House rather—than Paisley Hall, will be dis- cussed in a subsequent section on recent events.

Stonewall Place grew as rapidly as Overton Park Avenue and was also a very good address by 1912. Developers cut the street through, going north from Poplar to Overton Park Avenue in 1909.A stone wall on either side of the street with stone gateposts topped by heavy concrete spheres marked the Popl ar entrance. It was one of the most planned subdivisions of the era. Houses had to be a uniform distance from the six-foot wide sidewalks.The developers planted a double row of trees equidistant from each other to buffer street noises. Exactly spaced granite-based street lamps highlighted the street. Still today looking down Stonewall a visitor sees trees lining a broad street, making it one of the most attractive in the city.70

The homes varied from comfortable family homes to elaborate mansions. Perhaps the best remem- bered by residents is the Mitchell home. It was built in 1910 for Robert Thaddeus Cooper and his wife, the former Elizabeth Montgomery.Architects Hanker and Cairns designed the home for a fee of $750.

30 The Armistead House - Built 1907

1782 North Parkway (Summer)

Drawing Courtesy of Brett Busang

31 General contractor J.W. Williamson charged $13,804.95 to build the 5800 square foot estate set on an acre of land. The three-story brick veneer structure is in Greek revival style.

The Mitchells, Dr. and Mrs. Edward Dana Mitchell, purchased the home in 1925.Their son. Dr. Edward Dana Mitchell, Jr., and wife lived in the home until his death in 1971. His widow decided to sell, and it is now owned by Dr. and Mrs. Max Foner.71

A number of residents have lived on the street for many years and they are proud of it. Indeed, there are many interesting people and homes but little space to discuss them.Those at the southern end are quick to remind you that they live on Stonewall Place, which originally went only to Overton Park Avenue. Following the success of the early subdivision, developers cut the street through to North Parkway. In general, the homes are more modest as you travel north. However, the builders extended the same plan of houses equidistant fro m the street buffered by a double row of trees.They also built stone posts on the North Parkway side.72

Between Stonewall and North Willett is a narrow street named Williamson.According to Henry Lake, who had inherited the property, it was intended to be a regular size city street. Lake donated a twenty- five foot right-of-way for the street and the current owner of the property was also to do so. He did not and the result is a narrow passageway that Stonewall residents call an al ley. Behind it is Williamson Park, a small, hidden park.73

In the twenties Stonewall neighbors had become concerned about the future use of a large piece of land set in the midst of a developed area of fine homes. In 1926 Sam Williamson appeared before the Park Commission requesting that they purchase the property “in order to prevent the sale and use of the property for Negro tenement houses.”There were a few older Negro homes in what was called the Baker Street property.Appar ently their white neighbors anticipated the development of a Negro subdi- vision on the site.

Williamson announced that the residents of Stonewall would raise one-half of the purchase price.The Commission approved the acquisition with that purchase condition.These same residents wanted the park named in honor of Sam Williamson.The Park Commission chairman agreed reluctantly for “usually park property is named in memory of people, rather than those living.”Since m any of the petitioners had contributed to the purchase of the land, the chairman allowed them to choose the name.The result was Williamson Park.74

Other streets were developing at the same time as Stonewall Place. E. 0. Bailey was one of the first resi- dents of what became North Parkway. Built in 1906-07 the two-story home with elaborate porches is of brick veneer. One block east on the corner of Hawthorne is a sister house, built about the same time and also of yellow brick vene er. That was the Robert M.Armistead home. Most homes on the Parkway came later.75

The size and style of homes on North Parkway varied markedly. A brief description of two later homes illustrates the diversity. When Mrs. Charles L. Cawthorn lived at 1634 North Parkway, she called it “Shamrock Cottage.” The 1920s cottage, set back in the wooded lot, reminded Bride Cawthorn

32 (Cawthon) of a place in her native Ireland.There she and Miss Letitia Kennedy, Superintendent of Nurses at the Marine Hospital, would “refight the ‘Black North’ and Irish Free State Battle every year over teacups . . .”76

The home on the southeast corner of Hawthorne and North Parkway was also built in the 1920s. There the similarity ends.This house was one of the most unusual in Memphis in 1924.The brick veneer home with colorful mansard tile roof had a swimming pool in the basement.A lso on the lower level was a tile floored dancing room, a game room, a servant’s room with bath and a four-car garage. The main floor featured a ballroom, living room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, five bedrooms, and three baths.

Neighborhood children called it the haunted house, and the legend of bad luck still surrounds it. During the depression years the home was vacant for a time when the finance company repossessed it. Probably vagrants looking for a night’s shelter were the basis of the ghost stories.

Thirty years later, however, there are still those who say that the home seems to be the source of bad feelings or vibrations.According to the rumor, the swimming pool was filled in after a drowning.Also, it is said that someone died during a fire in the home in the 1970s. For whatever reason, the swim- ming pool has been covered since 1945.There was a fire in 1973, after which the home was once again vacant for some years before current owners Peggy and Frank Govan bought it.77

By the 1920s East Parkway was the address for city estates. Facing the beautiful parkway, set back on extensive grounds, these homes and those on nearby side streets were often featured in home and architectural news. In this limited study there is no space to adequately discuss any in particular.78

If the drive along the parkways to the zoo was a pleasant experience, the streets nearest the zoo offered equally pleasing vistas. Indeed, one is named Buena Vista.The homes on Kenilworth and Buena Vista are newer than those on older streets further west, many built around 1913 to 1917, though some came later. Those on Kenilworth were uniformly large and impressive. Mrs. Connie Kahn Starr who lives in the home built by her parents, noted the continuing popularity of her street: “People pay to live on Buena Vista.”79

Mrs. Starr described Buena Vista in 1913:

In 1913 we had one light, we had iceboxes and the icem an came around every day.We had tar bubbles on the street between the gravel that had sunk into the tar that you stepped on when you were barefoot to see if they were going to pop and have hot water shoot out.You had push mowers and hand cycles.The baker came, the vegetable man came, the milkman came, and we had chickens in the backyard. In fact, we didn’t get rid of the chickens until we got the horses.That’s where the horses went, into the chicken yard.A lot of the people in those days had their own chickens. Some of them raised rabbits and some of them raised pigeons . . .They used to eat pigeon here ... 80

33 Theo. W. Ohman, Map of Memphis - 1925 Courtesy of Memphis Room, Memphis Public Library

34 Sam Seessel lived in the yellow brick duplex at the corner of Overton Park Avenue and Buena Vista in the 1920s. Older residents claim this was the most expensive rental in Memphis.Young Seessel watched the Parkview Apartment-Hotel being built. He and his gang played inside on rainy days, run- ning up and down halls until they were thrown out.81

Older residents of the community had less friendly feelings toward the Parkview. In 1924 the Bartholomew Comprehensive Plan for the city used a picture of the apartment-hotel under construc- tion to demonstrate the extreme need for zoning laws in the city of Memphis:“Zoning will prevent the recurrence of such anomalies.”82

The ten-story hotel was an anomaly in a low density residential neighborhood, but it presented prob- lems much more serious than the aesthetic.The increase in traffic was, of course, immense.Also, the Parkview darkened the view of those nearby on both Buena Vista and Kenilworth.Accord ing to Jeff Marmon, Jr., the man next door to the Parkview threatened to sue, for damages.The management then connected his home to hotel wiring and pipeline so that he received free utilities.“83

Some people did sue, for fifty thousand dollars for damage to their property.The jury deadlocked on the first trial but on the second awarded ten thousand dollars to the nearest neighbors of the Parkview.84

The Parkview was a fashionable address for a time. In the depression the bankrupt hotel was sold at auction.Today it is owned by the Presbyterian Synod and is a retirement home for senior citizens.85

The Business District

Drake’s Cleaners has been at Evergreen and Poplar since 1917. When Charles Drake’s father opened his dry cleaning establishment, there were two businesses at that location—a bakery (which became the cleaners) and Paris’s Drugstore. Next to it on Poplar was a grocery store, at one time a Bowers.86

Much of Poplar was still residential.A t McLean and Poplar was a well-used watering trough. Mrs. Perkins remembers a grocery on one corner in a small frame building.

Gradually more commercial establishments developed around Poplar and Evergreen. Jeff Marmon, Jr., who lived on Evergreen near Poplar, remembers the community’s fight to keep the area residential. When the grocery opened at Poplar and Belvedere, people boycotted the place. The grocer, however, lived above his store, and managed to outla st the protest. Gradually his trade increased.87

Miss Margaret Johnson also remembers the “big to-do” made when James Alexander and W.W.Wessell of Alexander Construction Company decided to build commercial establishments on the east side of Evergreen, across from Drake’s Cleaners. Except for these two, all of Evergreen opposed further changing the residential character of the neighborhood. Nonetheless,Alexander tore down the homes replacing them with buildings for stores.88

35 In time many residents used these stores. Charles Drake thinks of old Evergreen as a self-contained area with school, churches, park, shops, and movies. Evergreen and Poplar was the major shopping center before World War II.There was little at either Cleveland and Poplar or further east at the Parkview and Poplar.89

Of course, Evergreen inhabitants were not confined to their neighborhood. Downtown was the center of business, shopping, and entertainment. Convenient stre etcar transportation kept it readily accessible. By the early twenties, many people already drove downtown. Sue Reid Williams recalled that her mother would drive Mr. Reid to work, then shop at downtown stores including meat and cheese markets.90

Around Overton Park Avenue and Williamson was a small commercial area. Sue Williams remembers Vieh’s Bakery and Overton Park Drugstore. Lester Green ran the drugstore, a neighborly establishment which would deliver a selection of magazines so that a sick child could select one to keep.There was also a Bowers grocery store nearby.91

The birth of Sears, Roebuck and Company on North Watkins had an effect on the neighborhood.While Watkins had long been a north-south street, Cleveland was not a through street.When Sears started building their huge plant in 1927, the city cut Cleveland north from Poplar to Watkins.

A row of buildings was soon erected on the east side of Watkins. Paul Blanchard, presently operating Paul’s Barber Shop, talked about his business area. He said this barber shop has had several owners since opening in 1928, but it has always been a barber shop and that it is perhaps the oldest continu- ously operated barber shop in Memphis.

Next door to the barber shop on the south was a drugstore and another building belonging to Sears. Although Sears uses the building only for storage now, one can see where their thriving hothouse operation used to be, as shown by the many rectangular areas still seen in the fenced grounds. North of the barber shop was a Clarence Saunders grocery store.92

Since 1936 the Curb Market has been at Cleveland and Poplar. Earlier the city had a public produce market at Madison and Dunlap.When it closed, Joseph and David Hanover bought the building and brought it to Cleveland and Poplar.They enclosed the former open-sided sheds for year-round use.A variety of shops and restaurants moved into the Curb Market.T he oldest is Lamb’s Eat Shop which began in 1922 at the Madison market. Current owners Nita Sexton and Truman Lamb said their mother started the eatery, their father took it over after her death, and they are currently running it. Norris’ Health Food Store and Plunk’s Florist have both been in business over thirty years.93

36 NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES

37 COMMERCIAL LIFE - THEN AND NOW

38 A Mid-Town Community

Life changed somewhat during the depression years of the thirties. Homes built during the boom years meant inflated values in the hard years, and a number of fine homes were up for sale at a fraction of the cost of construction. Most Evergreen homeowners survived the depression, however. Some did so by taking in roomers. Residents tolerated the boarding houses along Poplar, and even on Buena Vista during the lean years.

Indeed, during World War II when housing was scarce and renting rooms a patriotic duty, members converted the Evergreen Clubhouse at Overton Park and Evergreen.The city granted a temporary zon- ing variance allowing a four unit apartment and garage duplex. In the postwar years, residents sought a return to single family residences and were in general successful—at least temporarily.94

Georgia Tann opened the children’s home during these years.A friend of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society gave the spacious home at 1556 Poplar for the use of the society. Miss Tann used it to house the children under her care. She had worked for the private statewide organization for many years before becoming assistant state superintendent. She operated the Memphis home anonymously from 1940 to 1950. During those years according to a subsequent state report, Miss Tann placed over one thousand children with out-of-state families for varying amounts of profit.There were many implications.T he state authorities had no knowledge of her actions and claimed she was not authorized to put children up for adoption.There were charges that sick children were placed with healthy and so on.The death of Georgia Tann ended the controversy.95

The fate of that home on Poplar was perhaps symptomatic of the future for other large homes around. The children’s home never reverted to single family residence.The Girl Scouts leased it for years.Then in 1968 the Baptist Brotherhood razed the grand home to make room for their offices.All along Poplar older homes would become rooming houses, or shops, or be torn down to make way for standard commercial buildings.96

In the modern age the large two-story homes in Evergreen were the anomaly.Young couples preferred a new ranch-style home with modern plumbing and up-to-date fixtures in the new suburbs. Moreover, older homes were expensive to maintain and difficult to run without full-time domest ic help.

Thus the first exodus from Evergreen began with the growth of new suburbia in post-World War II years.As building resumed after the stagnant years of depression and war, the city limits expanded accordingly. Evergreen was a mid-town neighborhood.97

It was still a neighborhood, with young families as well as older residents. Dr. and Mrs. Jameson Jones moved into the area in the 1950s. He remembers it this way:

The neighborhood was very much like it was in the 1920s. A lot of children played in the streets and played in everybody’s yards and played at night after supper. They just pretty much lived the kind of life people had lived in a southern sort of city neighbor-

39 hood, I guess for fifty or seventy-five years. There were lots of children and they all went to Snowden School and everybody walked. Of course, the zoo was nearby and the park . . It was just a very quiet and pleasant sort of neighborhood.98

Then came the sixties, traumatic years for most Americans. Old Evergreen barely survived the decade and emerged much changed. Indeed, this neighborhood can be used as a microcosm of the American community in the troubled sixties.There were fears from integration and civil rights.The hippies were a threat.The city changed zoning regulations, quietly allowing increased commercialization as well as boarding houses and apartments. But Evergreen had a unique problem also—the expressway.“99

Progress Comes To Evergreen: The Expressway

There is no avoiding the issue of the expressway in discussing this neighborhood. Though most Memphians are well aware that the planned route of Interstate Highway 40 is through Overton Park, fewer can trace the route west of the park through old Evergreen.To understand the crisis of the neighborhood it is first necessary to realize the effect of the twenty-year argument over the route of the expressway.

In the early 1950s the City of Memphis decided to apply for federal funds to help build an express- way system. Officials asked the consulting firm of Harland Bartholomew to prepare a plan. The Bartholomew report contained six plans. The prefer red—and most costly—included a beltway or circumferential expressway around the city. There was also a north-south leg and an east-west leg, both connected to the beltway. Only the first plan contained the east-west segment. Plans B-F,less desirable according to the planners, were modifications of the complete plan, known as A. The city chose a reduced version of Plan A, keeping the north-south and east-west segments but using a reduced circumferential route. Instead of a beltway around the city, the proposed route went to the river on the south side but stopped short on the north. Apparently the engineers intended to use the north-south and east-west segments to connect the truncated northern loop with downtown, the river, and the proposed new bridge across it.

The Bureau of Public Roads accepted the plan which meant the federal government agreed to fund 90% of the cost. Since the undeveloped southwest area was the easiest in which to clear the right-of-way, construction began on that part of the beltway.100

At first the builders intended to complete the beltway before beginning the intra-city portions. When the Whitehaven leg of 6.3 miles opened in 1961, planners were still saying that the east-west route was years away. Since the east-west leg ran through a developed area, right-of-way purchase was both difficult and expensive.101

Opposition to the intra-city segments began early. In 1958 Frank Ragsdale, head of the city’s Traffic Advisory Council, offered a counter plan. He urged restriction of the interstate to the perimeters of the city, eliminating the in-town routes. His plan was much cheaper because it avoided expensive

40 The Memphis Expressway System Map Courtesy of Harland Bartholomew and Associates ------Proposed Route - not adopted in the Memphis Plan

41 residential and commercial areas. Ragsdale, who lived in the path of the east-west route, blamed politics for the disastrous plan. According to Ragsdale, only state politicians and bureaucrats would benefit from the costly plan. Ragsdale also prophesied the subsequent ruin of downtown:“It would be absolutely disastrous. With the north-south route near the medical center, that area would develop eastward and in five years it would be downtown and the present downtown would be just a bunch of old stagnant buildings on the river front.”102

The strongest opposition to the expressway route revolved around the east-west segment. The objections intensified after 1964 when the state announced that it would build the east-west portion before completing the northern segment of the loop. What had seemed a distant possibility was suddenly all too real a probability.103

It might be appropriate here to review the role of the various governments in the expressway project.Although the city of Memphis proposed the plan, the county and the state were also involved. Much of the beltway land was in Shelby County, of course. The Tennessee State Department of Transportation was in charge of construction with the state’s engineers responsible for direction and design. Federal money went to the state of Tennessee not to the city of Memphis.

In the beginning the county acquired the right-of-way, acting for the state.After 1960 the state acted directly, in particular purchasing the right-of-way for the east-west segment.The City of Memphis had responsibility for the final decision on the route, however, for no city street or alley changes were legal without the approval of city authorities.Also, since Overton Park belongs to the city, the corridor through it could be purchased only from the city.104

Thus the city, county, state, and federal governments were all involved in the planned expressway. Studying the newspaper articles, theses, and books written on the “Overton Park Expressway Controversy,”the reader discovers that the city and the state were not always in agreement. From 1957 on the State of Tennessee—at least through the engineering spokesmen—never wavered in its determination to build as planned the east-west route through Memphis. City officials were not always so sure, however.Although one set approved the plan, later officials wanted a reconsideration.The I-40 Overton Park expressway controversy should be divided into two segments—before 1968 and after. The city’s 1968 decision was a final one.After 1968, opposition to the park route was from private rather than public sources.

The federal government’s action—or inaction—is almost the opposite of the city’s. In the early years the federal engineers were in firm agreement with the state. In recent years, the federal authorities have been increasingly reluctant to route the highway through the park.105

The proposed east-west segment began at White Station Road running just south of Summer Avenue until it reached Overton Park.There the expressway followed the old bus lane through the park. Outside the parkgrounds it did not continue on the old bus line along Galloway Avenue. Instead the highway veered south cutting a swath through the heart of the neighborhood.West of Watkins the highway straightened, running just south of Overton Park Avenue to the Mississippi River and a proposed new bridge.106

42 Some Memphians objected to the proposal in the 1950s. They established the Committee to Preserve Overton Park in 1957, changing the name in 1964 to Citizens to Preserve Overton Park, usually called CPOP.But the active years of opposition began in 1964 when the state reversed priorities and the expressway through the park moved from the future tense to the present.107

The furor over the park is familiar to most people, the St. Jude issue less so.The St. Jude problem can be used to illustrate the difference fifteen years make. Imagine in 1979 planners proposing an expressway through a city which would run within 127 feet of a hospital. This is what the State of Tennessee proposed in 1965.When the hospital authorities objected, Highway Commissioner David Pack promised that workers would be careful to avoid troubling vibrations during construction. Although this reassurance failed to satisfy hospital officials, the state had the final say.108

The state persevered and the St. Jude Board of Trustees accepted what seemed to be the inevitable. Park opponents, however, were never willing to admit defeat. By 1964 CPOP had sent petitions to anyone and everyone including the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners. The City Beautiful Commission passed a resolution in support of the park route foreseeing a “scenic asset.” However both the Memphis Park Commission and the Shelby County Forest Council opposed it.109

Then Abe Plough made his million dollar offer. Mr. Plough offered one million dollars of the five million needed for renovation of the zoo if the state would either reroute or change the design of the park segment of I-40. Mr. Plough objected to the planned access to the zoo, which would be a footbridge over the expressway. He thought that the noise and bustle of the six-lane expressway made an inappropriate setting for the zoo and suggested moving the route to the northern perimeter of the park and relocating the zoo further south.

Mayor Ingram urged the state to finish the northern perimeter first while restudying the east-west segment. He appealed to Governor Clement also. Meanwhile, Mrs. Ralph W.Handy, chairman of CPOP, had written to Governor Clement requesting the state report on alternate routes. The governor refused to release it; Mrs. Handy turned to her senator to get the information; Governor Clement subsequently received other appeals and agreed to restudy the route. The governor said that he sympathized and “didn’t mind saying it in front of the engineers.”

Proponents of the expressway objected to the delay, urging completion of the east-west route before the northern perimeter. The condition of the zoo worsened as nothing was done pending the outcome.110

Finally in 1967 the state made its decision. Newly-installed Governor Ellington announced that the route through the park was final.“Change is out,” said the state and all alternatives rejected; the City Commission passed a resolution in favor of the proposed route (over the veto of the mayor); Abe Plough withdrew his million dollar offer. But the final decision was an anti-climax.The fight continued.111

State Representative D. J. (Jack) Smith planned to introduce a bill in the state legislature prohibiting the route through the park. Although he had the support of Shelby County Representatives Curtis Person, Max Lucas, and William Bruce, the bill failed to pass.

43 Opponents of the park route then sought the support of U.S. Representative Dan Kuykendall. Convinced that interested citizens had not received a fair hearing, Rep. Kuykendall asked the Federal Highway Administration to hold hearings in the City of Memphis.112

Memphis had a new form of government in 1968.The newly elected City Council entered office in a difficult year. Among the crises of that first spring were the sanitation workers’ strike, the subsequent disorders, and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition the Council had to consider the I-40 Overton Park route.

In March the Council passed a unanimous resolution, asking the state and federal authorities to move the route to the northern perimeter of the park. Though this would mean relocating portions of the zoo further south, they thought it better than dissecting the park.113

Reaction to the City Council resolution was immediate and intense. Both newspapers were consistent advocates of speedy completion of the east-west leg as planned.The press has been accused of unfairly reporting the hearings, quoting the weirdos among those opposed to the park route and not mentioning the experts.

The newspapers responded to the latest event with editorials and articles.The Press-Scimitar warned “the council is taking full responsibility for the expressway’s future. . .”Moreover, the Press pointed out that everyone had approved the route: two Tennessee governors, the Tennessee Highway Department, the City of Memphis (under the Engineering Department), the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Shelby County Commission, and so on.114

The City Council’s support was crucial.The city could block the planned east-west route by refusing to allow any streets or alleys to be closed.Thus the Councilmen had to approve the right-of-way throu gh the city.

Proponents intensified pressure on City Council. Managing editor Ed Ray of the Press-Scimitar went to Washington for an interview with Federal Highway Commissioner Bridwell.The headlines announced “City Council Must Act Commissioner Says on Overton X-Way; Positive Route Held Necessary to Final OK.”The Downtown Association sent telegrams to Councilmen. Commissioner Bridwell flew to Memphis to hold hearings, arriving one day after the assassination of Dr. King.115

On April 5, 1968, the City Council reversed itself. Councilmen passed a resolution approving the planned route. It was a reluctant decision forced upon them by past administrations. Councilman Davis, who abstained, said “We are taking something in the name of progress and we can’t replace it.” Councilman Wyeth Chandler, who voted yes, noted “We are hemmed in to the present route.”116

Later that month a joint federal-state announcement proclaimed final approval on the route and the dispute was over, or so it seemed. It “ended years of controversy.”117

One of the main reasons the City Council felt obliged to stick to the planned route was that the state continued the right-of-way purchase and demolition along the route during the years of controversy.

44 By the end of 1967 the state had cleared the area from White Station to Waring and was ready to proceed with clearance further east.At the same time the state continued appraising and purchasing property west of the park.118

Although the Federal Highway Administration approved the route, Commissioner Bridwell insisted on new studies on design. He wanted a depressed roadway to minimize impact on the park. City and state officials were again in an uproar over another delay. M oreover, the resulting compromise design required another public hearing.When it was all over, the new Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe announced approval of the plan—and CPOP filed suit in federal district court.119

By 1969 when CPOP filed suit, official opposition to the route had ended. Even the Memphis Park Commission had given up the fight.The CPOP suit ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision, a case of nationwide significance.

In 1970 the case had bee n dismissed in both Federal District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. Judge Bailey Brown of the District Court had based his decision not on the route or the design but on the law—whether the federal officials involved had followed the law in reaching their decision. Judge Brown also authorized the state to proceed with construction on the park segment despite appeal of the case. However, the Circuit Court issued an injunction forbidding clearing of park land during the appeal.

When the Circuit Court upheld the decision of the lower court, CPOP went to the U. S. Supreme Court.As the Press-Scimitar noted:“Because a small group of citizens refused to give up, the matter of the expressway going through Overton Park will reach the highest court in the land on December 7—Pearl Harbor Day.” The court had agreed to an oral hearing on December 7, 1970. At that hearing the court issued a stay order preventing construction in the park during the suit and also agreed to rule on the case.

In March of 1971 the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the case should be sent back to the lower court for reconsideration.The Supreme Court decision was more than a moral victory for oppo- nents of the park route. It was the beginning of a new era for them, when conservation and ecology became timely topics and “progress” a questionable pursuit. Members of CPOP were no longer nuts or old ladies in tennis shoes—and the Memphis newspapers suddenly discovered the “White Knights.“120

The Overton Park Expressway case was indeed a landmark decision.A decade of lawsuits followe d as neighborhood groups in cities throughout the United States suddenly discovered their clout and used it to block the construction of freeways through their community.

The 1971 decision had other far reaching consequences, for the attitude of the federal government began to change.While the state persevered with undampened fervor, usually echoed by the city, the federal authorities equivocated.

Inflation had also become a major obstacle. One way to cut back f ederal spending was to reduce the amount allocated for roads. Even without the Overton Park controversy, completion of the expressway system was in doubt as funds got tighter each year.

45 Path of I-40 - The Corridor Courtesy of Division of Housing and Community Development, City of Memphis

46 In addition, the state and federal government spent years arguing over the design of the route. The state wanted to spend as little as possible—initially even opposing a depressed route through the park. Each year as the authorities haggled over cut-and-cover, slurry walls, and tunnels, the cost of con- struction went up.The role of the federal government was frustrating to almost everyone.A succession of five secretaries of transportation hedged and delayed, each one reluctant to reach a decision.As of 1979, the I-40 east-west route ends at Broad Street, a little more than a mile east of Overton Park. It continues west of the park, beginning again at Bellevue.121

The great victory of 1971 and the subsequent decade of delay came too late for residents of the area around Overton Park.The state had continued to build the expressway while the case was going through the courts. Judge Bailey Brown ruled that CPOP could ask that work within the park be prohibited but had no grounds to stop construction outside of the park. Indeed, the state seemed determined to present a fait accompli to the federal courts as it hastened work on the route both east and west of Overton Park. Thus construction proceeded on the eastern leg of I-40. By 1973 the strip from White Station to the Broad Street ramp had been opened to traffic.

Meanwhile, the state had completed right-of-way purchase in the area just west of Overton Park—old Evergree n. While the lawyers argued and the judges listened, the workers cleared the land in prepara- tion for the expressway. By 1970 a broad strip of overgrown vacant lots ran through the Evergreen community. There were drastic changes evident in the area just east and west of the park. Gone were 408 single family residences, 84 duplexes, 266 apartments, 44 businesses, 5 churches and 1 fire station. This “corridor” was to have a tremendous impact on the community.122

The Corridor In the Community

Certainly other problems increased residents’ uneasiness. The hippies came; there was fear of white flight; the neighborhood school went through the trauma of integration and Plan Z. Then there had been the years of waiting—waiting for the city, the state, and the federal authorities to decide whether to build through their neighborhood. Homeowners could not easily get loans for improvements on homes that might be razed or greatly devalued. Moreover, owners hesitated to make costly improve- ments in their uncertain situation. Some sold out and left; others held out; all agree that the neighbor- hood deteriorated in the troubled years of the late sixties.

The clearance for the expressway hurt the area even more. Now came another exodus. As Connie Starr said:“It grieved a great many people. It broke our hearts to see them taking Overton Park Avenue houses down and moving out first generation families.”123

Older residents, in particular, found moving a traumatic experience. Eleanor McCorkle described the reaction of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Pope McCorkle, Sr.The McCorkles had lived in their early twentieth century home on North Avalon since 1935 (about thirty-five years). Mrs. McCorkle, Sr. attended protest meetings despite the efforts of her sons to reconcile her to progress.When the old lady had a heart

47 attack, the family blamed the expressway controversy. Mrs. McCorkle just could not accept reality. When the state tore down her house, she bought another just as large so that she could keep all the furnishings from the old place.

An elderly aunt of the McCorkles, Mrs. Michael Holehan, still lives on Autumn. In the expressway clearance she lost her backstairs, yard, and garage.The lack of a carport is a real handicap for the elderly woman in the winter. The clearance also ruined the value of the home, of course.124

Mrs. Ernest J. Kelly also lives on Autumn. The clearing comes directly in front of their house and took their side of the street for the whole next block.The Kellys stayed through twenty years “of rumor and indecision.” The worst stage came after the state had bought the right-of-way but had not razed the dwellings. The homes were rented temporarily to undesirable transients at a very cheap rate.125

Mrs. Frank Wingfield lived at 1662 Carruthers until 1968 when the expressway clearing took their yard. She recalled “there was universal acceptance of this displacement—a strange lack of resistance.” Mrs.Wingfield compared her old neighborhood to a small town with neighbors who were helpful and interested.126

Everyone who lives or has lived in the area knows a sad story of displacement.Those whose homes survived had a hard time also. For a time the state-owned land in their midst became a hippie colony. The hippies found mid-town after being kicked off the Highland Strip near Memphis State.The area around Poplar and Evergreen had several attractions for them.There were cheap rooms for rent nearby. Many chose to squat, however, for there was no scarcity of land.They soon established small settlements on the empty lots of the corridor.Apparently the drug users among them found Evergreen a convenient location also. Charles Drake, of Drake’s Cleaners, had people sleeping out o n the corner of his property. He remembers those as trying years: “At one time it was not very good around here. I don’t know how we survived it ... sweeping the hypodermic needles out of the alley every morn- ing—and everything else.” No one seems to know why they went away, but eventually they did.127

Overton Park had always been special to those nearby. They had watched with pride the growing zoo, art gallery, and other attractions. In 1953 the Art Academy moved to Overton Park. Since then the institution has been associated with the area.The setting for many receptions and gatherings, the Memphis Art Academy serves metropolitan Memphis with art classes and programs for residents from pre-school to senior citizens.The school offers a four-year program leading to the bachelor of fine arts, a professional degree.128

Since 1910 the city had offered live entertainment during the summer months utilizing the park pavilions. In 1936 the Overton Park Shell was built with WPA assistance, followed closely by the birth of an institution remembered by many Memphians—the Memphis Open Air Theatre, or MOAT. Summers saw presentations of many favorite operettas. But by 1951 attendance figures couldn’t keep MOAT out of debt, so it closed its long stint in the park. From that period through the sixties the Park Commission continued to provide summer musical programs. Through cooperation with the local professional musician s there were free weekly Musicians’ Nights. Also the Shell was rented to other groups who charged admission for their productions.

48 By the early seventies residents nearby were becoming unhappy with the Shell activities. Instead of arias, they heard the foreign language of electric rock groups, objectionable because of the volume of noise produced and also because of the type of crowd they attracted. In recent years, the Park Commission has encouraged wider use of the Shell, from barbershop quartets to school bands. The Commission serves as a clearing house for scheduling summer programs. No group is paid but a wide variety of entertainment is offered.129

The zoo also lost favor with area residents. The zoo buildings and grounds deteriorated badly during the waiting years of the sixties. To be blunt, the place smelled. Moreover, both the zoo and the park had become popular hangouts for older kids without parents or teacher escorts. There was too much noise and trouble; the zoo was a nuisance.130

The extensive building and rehabilitation program planned by the Memphis Park Commission finally happened.Today the zoo is in much better condition.To solve the problem of unattended youths and also to help with revenues, the authorities started charging for attendance.Thus ended nearly sixty years of free admission to the Overton Park Zoo.131

Overton Park itself seemed to change.The ending of segregation opened the park and zoo to blacks. Throngs of young people converged in Overton Park on the weekend and subsequently went all over the neighborhood.T here were fears the park was being taken over. Gradually fewer families came for picnics, and youth—black and white—reigned.132

As one resident noted:

The character of Overton Park has changed completely and this has nothing at all to do with the expressway. I would not ride a horse through Overton Park now. I would not walk through Overton Park now.When I was a young girl, the character of this city was entirely different.

Times were changing everywhere, not just a round Overton Park. That fact was probably little consola- tion to those wrenched from the security of an established neighborhood to the insecurity of an aging section bisected by a corridor of vacant lots and invaded by roomers, renters, and hippies.133

Snowden School had been a part of the neighborhood since its establishment. Some older residents attended St. Mary’s or Sacred Heart or other church-sponsored schools. In addition there were at least three private schools in the area at one time. For twenty-five years the Hughes School on Autumn was an early childhood education center for kindergarten through third grade. Mrs. S.T.Selden, Jr.. who taught there for 16 years, recalled that there was a strong music curriculum, with elaborate costuming for their annual programs.The school drew over 100 students from all parts of Memphis due, in part, to the fact that there were very few early childhood educational programs at the time.

Two ot her private schools opened but had less success than the Hughes School. The Evergreen Private School apparently existed only from 1942 to 1945. Located at 1674 Galloway it was operated by Mrs. Lura C. McMath.The Hines or Purser School was at 1883 Galloway which is no longer

49 standing. It began as an art school but later had nearly 200 students in kindergarten through high school. Mrs. Laura Scherer Hines and Miss Elizabeth M. Purser were closely associated with the school which operated sporadically from about 1928 to 1954.134

Still most children in the area went to Snowden for part of their education. Snowden, of course, was all white and remained largely so well into the sixties for the area was mostly white. Surely the schools would have had probl ems without the integration issue. The postwar educational system had been mainly devoted to the average child at the expense of the exceptional on either end.The increasingly undisciplined structure of our society was reflected in the schools. The unstable family situation with one-parent families and working mothers often deprived the schools of an important source of support.

Still the crisis over integration did not help. By the late sixties the area north of Snow den had increasing numbers of black families, and the school reflected that change. Under the 1973 Plan Z, Snowden and Vollintine were paired, with grades one through three going to Vollintine and grades four through six to Snowden. The Junior High, which included grades seven through nine, remained intact at Snowden, with the boundaries unchanged. In effect it remained a neighborhood school. Despite efforts to stabilize the schools, whites continued to leave the sys tem. By 1976 Snowden had a 75% black and 25% white student body, and current figures show a 79% black and 21% white student body.135

In the years from 1976 through 1979 proponents of the public school system have been pleased with the state of Snowden. In 1976 the College Preparatory Optional School Program was implemented for the junior high. Its purpose is to give added strengths to students attending by providing more in-depth work with accompanying enrichment activities.T he guidelines for admission allow students from all over Memphis to apply for a transfer into this program. Current statistics show that over one-third of the six hundred junior high students attending Snowden have been admitted to this optional program.

The curriculum for grades four to six is fairly standard with emphasis on basic education. However, there is also a strong music program, including a string program, piano, Orff music, and the only elementary band in the Memphis City Schools.136

Neighborhood churches and community organizations have helped to foster a return to community spirit.The Mid-Memphis Improvement Association and the Vollintine-Evergreen Community Association began about the same time. MMIA formed in a fight against the McDonald hamburger chain. McDonald’s proposed buying a home on the southeast corner of Poplar and Stonewall, tearing it down and building a fast-food chain in its place. Stonewall resid ents led the fight:

The neighborhood just really felt that was totally out of keeping and totally unneces- sary. We’ve got enough fast food restaurants up and down here. There’re enough to feed half of Memphis. They are in and out and they leave these things . . . this thing that’s been Arby’s and Friar Tuck’s and they leave an empty building.137

50 The organization stayed together because of continuing need.Their goal has been to maintain the residential quality of the neighborhood. Organizers decided on inclusive boundaries—from Madison to the north side of North Parkway, and East Parkway to Watkins—reasoning that the fringe areas must be kept healthy for the community to be healthy.That first success helped the association according to Sue Williams:

Everybody was running up and down the street with petition s and we got all of the names and went down and fought city hall and won which gave us a sense of ‘Hurray, look what we did.”138

Since then MMIA has undertaken several projects.Although members disagreed among themselves initially, the group ultimately decided to oppose the expressway route in order to preserve Overton and Williamson Parks. More recently MMIA has been compiling a historic survey of houses in the area.They intend to propose selected areas for historic design ation. They also developed a long range land use plan. Indeed, the Planning Commission has accepted their proposal to rezone the area north of Poplar to single or limited residential use. MMIA is also readying information on the portion south of Poplar.139

The Vollintine-Evergreen Community Action Association began in late 1969. Ministers of nine area churches had noticed a decline in membership as white families left. Determined to avoid white flight, they met to discuss the problem. Interested citizens joined them.VECAA was the result, a neighborhood association dedicated to the preservation of stability in the neighborhood.Their goal was to maintain an integrated neighborhood, not an all white or all black area.The first need was to prevent block-busting and panic selling, and VECAA has had some notable victories.

In 1979 the group reorganized dropping “action” from the name and officially extending the boundaries from N. Parkw ay to Overton Park Avenue.The other lines are still Watkins,Trezevant and Vollintine.As of now, many residents of Evergreen are within the territory of two community asso- ciations, MMIA and VECA.Why this condition exists and the effect of it is not understood by these researchers.”140

The churches have tried to stabilize the community also. Evergreen Presbyterian moved north in the 1950s to Tutwiler and University, but is still a part of the community.The church offer s Mother’s Day Out for younger women plus opportunities for older members. Evergreen has opened its recreation building and playgrounds for use to all youth of the community, welcoming their new black neighbors.Together with Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian Church, Evergreen helps keep a food pantry and clothes closet for the needy of the area.141

Trinity United Methodist Church also tries to serve the community regardless of color or creed. Trinity has a kindergarten attended by children of the area. Once a year residents are invited to a block party, designed to help people get acquainted and let them know that Trinity is there to serve the community as well as its members.Trinity has also offered support to the former Chelsea United Methodist Church which reopened in 1978 as Reed United Methodist Church with a black congregation.142

51 Reverend Dave Hilliard grew up in the neighborhood. He returned twenty-five years later as pastor of Trinity.The main difference he sees is the age of the residents and “the terrible strip that runs through here.”Also, the school helped to hold the community together in the past much more than it does now.True, the public is disenchanted with public schools, but then there are fewer families with school-age children in the area. Reverend Hilliard sees the churches replacing the school as a focus for the community.

Of Trinity’s active membership, 65 to 70% live between Poplar and Jackson and East Parkway and Watkins. It is an older congregation but young families are moving in. Moreover, the people of his community are no longer running from fear of integration.143

For every negative comment about Evergreen there seems to be a positive one and vice versa. For example, the hippies left the Poplar-Evergreen area; beer joints and girlie places came. However, there is one story that has a happy ending—that of the Galloway House, Colonel Robert Galloway’s Paisley Hall at 1822 Overton Park Avenue.

Southwestern had used the Galloway House for its music conservatory from 1953 to 1973. Upon completion of new facilities on campus, Southwestern tried to sell the old conservatory.The state had already torn down the carriage house as part of the expressway clearance. But closeness to the potential freeway was not the only obsta cle to ownership.Who needed a 12,000 square foot home (with another 12,000 square footage of basement) on three acres of land?

While the estate stayed on the market, deterioration and vandalism made restoration an even costlier prospect. One proposal was that the home be used as the mayor’s residence—however, the city was not ready to assume such a responsibility. Finally, Gary Belz and F.L. Billings bought it for $25,000. They planned to subdivided the home into five apart ments, building ten townhouses on the McLean side of the property. MMIA which had feared apartments on the site rejoiced over the new owners’ announcement.

However, the plan never materialized. Belz sold his interest to Billings who decided to renovate in hopes of finding a buyer. He too could not succeed and the house went on the auction block. Dr. Marshall Koonce bought it and has since been restoring the home to its original grandeur.The Office of Community Development nominated it to the National Register of Historic Places.144

Some of Evergreen’s problems are recurrent. Long before the expressway issue, North Parkway residents had to ward against anti-trees forces.The gracious foliage in the median of the Parkway annoyed or impeded drivers hurrying to work.When several cars hit trees, some indignant citizens demanded that the trees be cut down. Residents, of course, feared North Parkway would once again become a speedway, endange ring students and destroying the ambiance of the Parkway.As one noted, a tree never hit anyone; drivers should slow up and be careful.145

In 1975 another barrage in the war over the expressway route exploded. Dr. John Shea, Jr. hired consultants to work out a plan for the completion of the I-40 east-west segment.The proposal called for the use of North Parkway to avoid going through Over ton Park.

52 The late Guy Northrup, Jr., was instrumental in the formation of the North Parkway Association to oppose the use of the Parkway. He got the cooperation of the Hein Park Civic Association, Mid- Memphis Improvement Association, and the Vollintine-Evergreen Community Action Association. Attorney George Morrow contended that the Memphis Park Commission controlled the Parkways, putting them in the same classification as parks that could not be converted to freeway use any easier than could Overton Park.146

The state did not proceed with Dr. Shea’s proposal and the issue died temporarily. In 1979 the city of Memphis made a tentative proposal for ending the long impasse over I-40.The city suggested that I-40 not be completed through the park. Instead the state could turn major city streets into corridors to take motorists across the missing strip.

Several existing streets would be used to bypass the park—East Parkway, Poplar, Evergreen or Cleve land, and North Parkway.Also, the break in the expressway system would be narrowed from 3.7 miles to 1 mile, using divided limited access roads. On the west the I-40 extension would either stop at Cleveland or Evergreen.

Residents at every point in the community protested vigorously, explaining that the increased traffic would destroy the residential character of the neighborhood. Although the State of Tennessee seemed interested, the engineers’ response was descri bed as lukewarm. In the election year of 1979, city offi- cials promised to consider the needs of the neighborhood in formulating any plans.There the matter rests for now. Nonetheless, judging by the statement of city officials in the summer of 1979, the city is no longer interested in the completion of Interstate 40 through Overton Park.147

Another significant event in the long controversy developed in 1979. James F.Williamson, Jr. (architect, former board member of CPOP,a nd interested citizen) nominated Overton Park for the National Register of Historic Places.After state approval the proposal went to Washington. In November of 1979 authorities announced that Overton Park had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Without a full review by the Department of Interior, federal money cannot be used on a project that would damage anything on the Register.Thus, placing Overton Park on the National Register has put ano ther obstacle in the way of completion of Interstate 40 through the park.148

What would become of the state-owned right-of-way if the missing link in the expressway were not completed? Many suggestions have been offered. Some residents have hoped it would revert to single family or low density residences. In 1978 Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams announced his position. He said that if states decide not to complete the federally-aided highway, then those states

ca n use the land for public restoration projects without repayment of the federal high- way funds used for the original purchase . . . Our new policy will let communities restore these devastated areas in a way that will contribute to the revitalization of our central cities to meet the urban revitalization goals set forth by President Carter.

Under federal law, the state can re-use the property for appropriate purposes. It can be used for another federal grant or for any state o r local program which the Department of Transportation is

53 THE CHANGING NEIGHBORHOOD

54 THE NEIGHBORHOOD TODAY

55 authorized to support.These include State and local transportation projects, public recreation and conservation projects, urban and rural revitalization projects.

If the state proposal was unacceptable to the Department of Transportation, the state would be direct- ed to reimburse the federal government for its ninety percent payment of the cost of the property. The state could retain title and pay back the federal government based on a computed percentage using or iginal acquisition price and the current fair market value.The state could also sell the property in order to clear its debt with the Department of Transportation.

However, all of the above begins when a project is terminated.Thus far there is no official statement from the State of Tennessee indicating a willingness to abandon the long-awaited Interstate 40 through Overton Park.Thus the fate of the corridor through Evergreen is still an unknown.149

Judging by real estate figures, neither the threat of the interstate nor the future of the corridor is now a serious liability. In the late sixties and early seventies, property values in Evergreen along the freeway corridor declined drastically. Consider two homes on Overton Park Avenue, a street bisected by the freeway corridors.The J. C. Pidgeon home at 1906 Overton Park Avenue, built in 1912, is a two-story brick structure with tile roof.The sixteen-room, four-bath residence has been co nverted into a duplex. In 1964, the property sold for $44,000. In 1965, it brought $36,300 and in 1970, $30,500. Of course, size and condition were probably significant factors also. But as the freeway progressed, property val- ues on Overton Park Avenue regressed.150

During the seventies the downward trend reversed.The longer the delay, the less likely it seemed that the highway would be built through the park and the neighborhood. Moreover, other problems have eased al so.The Skinner home, built in 1950 on the former Pidgeon tennis court, is a nine-room, one- story brick structure.The Skinners bought the property for $6,000. In 1977 the house and lot cost $68, 000. In 1978 a buyer paid $112,500 for the same place.151

Young families looking for a home are turning to mid-town for a convenient location with good homes.While the price of homes in the area has jumped enormously in the seventies, buyers still feel that they get more home with more ch aracter than in a new place way out in the far suburbs on a treeless field.With them come the children, a necessary ingredient in a neighborhood.

Evergreen has an interesting past and a hopeful future.There is one big if, one essential qualification- the I-40 expressway route through the Park and the Evergreen neighborhood.The future of the expressway corridor is of crucial importance. Moreover, the suggested use of alternative routes to bypass the park will be of equal si gnificance to this area. Many interesting and prominent citizens lived there in the past and also today.Their homes are equally fascinating. Drive along the Parkways, turn at McLean and tour the area to see a charming mid-town community.

56 Abbreviations used in the Notes

CA Commercial Appeal

CD R. L. Polk & Co.’s Memphis City Directory (published 1891 to 1979)

MMIA Mid-Memphis Improvement Association

PS Press-Scimitar

WTHS West Tennessee Historical Society Papers

57 NOTES

1 Gerald M. Capers, Biography of a River Town: Memphis, Its Heroic Age (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1939), p. 187-234; J. M. Keating and 0. F.Vedder, History of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, (2 vols., Syracuse) New York: D. Mason and Co., 1888) II, 13-64;William D. Miller, Memphis During the Progressive Era 1900-1917 (Memphis: Memphis State University, 1957), 3-86; L. B. McFarland,“Early History of the Memphis Park System,”Memoirs and Addresses, (n.p., n.d.), 117-120.

2 McFarland.“Memphis Park System,”Memoirs, 120-24.

3 Ibid., 124-25.

4 McFarland,“Memphis Park System,” Memoirs, 120-24; Interview with Mrs. Jessie Latham Perkins, 16. See the bibliography for full detail on this oral inter- view and those used hereinafter. All taped interviews have been placed in the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library. Records of the Memphis Park Commission, Minutes, Book 1, September 6, 1910, 347; Memphis Park Commission, Minutes, Book 1, November 8, 1901, 101; Paul R. Coppock, “History in Memphis Street Names,”WTHS, XI (1957), 109-110; Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of Memphis,Tennessee, January 1, 1911, to January 1, 1913 (Memphis: E. H. Clarke and Brothers, 1913) 27;“Park Commission abolishes Speedway,”CA, September 22, 1910.

5 J. P.Young, Standard History of Memphis,Tennessee (Knoxville: H.W.Crewe and Co., 1912), 334; Robert Galloway,“Parks and Playgrounds,”Civic Affairs, I (October 31, 1908), 3; McFarland,“Park,” Memoirs. 126-136;The Letters of the Olmsted Brothers. 1898-1901; Mrs.W.B. Gates,“Memphis Park System,”typed manuscript read before Memphis Historical Society, May 5, 1920, n.p.;Thomas Fauntleroy, Comp.,“A Chronological Index to Memphis Newspapers, 1834-1924.”(2 vol.; n.p.,n.d.), II, November 18, 1901, 8;National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 296-97.

6 Fauntleroy,“Index,”II:August 19, 1902, 12; June 6 and June 20, 1908, 46; February 28, 1909, 50; May 20 and June 4, 1914, 81; Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of Memphis,Tennessee,.January 1, 1911, to January 1, 1913 (Memphis: E. H. Clarke and Brothers, 1913), 23; Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of Memphis,Tennessee, January 1, 1913, to January 1, 1915 (Memphis: S. C.Toof and Co. Printers, n.d.), 7.

7 Park Commission Report, 1913-15, 7; Galloway,“Parks and Playgrounds,”Civic Affairs, 3; Souvenir View Booklet Memphis Zoological Garden (Memphis: C.A. Davis Printing Co. Publishers, 1937), 3-4;W. Mallory Chamberlain,“Zoological Society Takes Definite Shape,”Memphis Chamber of Commerce Journal,VI,April, 1923, 12-13; Paul Coppock,“City of Parks,”Commerce Title Record, (n.p., n.d.), 29; “Memphis Zoo,”CA, May 1, 1938.

8 Fauntleroy,‘’Index,”II, December 3, 1905, 29; February 19,April 5, and October 9, 1906, 30-34.

9 Ibid., May 9, 1906, 32.

58 10 Fauntleroy,“Index,”II;April 23, 1907. 40, and September 21, October 30, 1907, 42; Souvenir Book Zoo, 4; Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of Memphis,Tennessee, Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1908 (n.p., n.d.), 29.

11 “History of Zoo,”CA, May 1, 1938;“Zoo Publicity,”PS, June 16, 1937, and CA, June 8, 1937; Park Commission Minutes, Book 3, January 1, 1918, 75; The Blossoming of the Century Plant, 1819, Memphis,Tennessee, 1919 (n.p., n.d.), 4;“Overton Park and the Japanese Village,”Memphis Trades and Labor Council (n.p., 1916), 45;Telephone interview with Bob Schuylar, Memphis Park Commission.The obelisks are now in City Hall.

12 Commercial Appeal Southern Prosperity Edition, December 30, 1913, 12; R. L. Polk and Company’s Memphis City Directory 1898 (Memphis: R. L. Polk and Co., 1898), 885; Hereinafter all references to the Polk volumes will be denoted CD followed by the date. CD, 1893, 579, 1105; M.T.Williamson’s Map of Memphis and Vicinity, 1887.

13 Mrs. Robert B. Hunter, Sr., Comp.,“Descendants of Tillman J. Bettis,”typed manuscript.

14 Obituary of Mrs. John L. Mosby, Sr., CA, January 27, 1940; Obituary of Mrs. Martha Richards Mosby, CA, January 26, 1936; Obituary of John Louis (Toto) Mosby, Jr., PS, July 26, 1948; O bituary of Clarence Mosby Fleece, PS, December 12, 1940.

15 Information based on printed plaque in entrance hall of St. Peter’s Administration Building and oral interview with Mrs. Mary Stalm, receptionist, September 5, 1979.

16 “Convent of the Good Shepherd,”CA, October 31, 1937; June 7, 1939; October 23, 1940; November 17, 1962; January 4, 1964.

17 “Unknown Dead of ‘61 Sleep in Convent Shrine Bought Before Civil War for $1,”undated clipping c. 1931 in Hunter Scrapbook owned by Mrs. Robert K. Hunter;“Littered Area is Reminder of Yesteryear,” PS, March 1, 1967.

18 Fauntleroy,“Index,”II, November 3, 1919, 129; “B’nai B’rith,” PS,April 21, 1967; CA, November 6, 1977; Daily News. November 11, 1977.

19 “Harding-Lake Company,”CA, July 22, 1933;“Lake Place,”CA, December 29, 1949; Obituary of Henry Lake, CA, October 10, 1950.

20 CD, 1893, 579, 1105; CD 1895, 569, 1199; CD 1898, 844; CD 1900, 96; CD 1901, 611; CD 1902, 608; Report of Board of Educa tion of City of Memphis for Session 1899 - 1900 (n.p., n.d.), 16; Report of Board of Education of City of Memphis for Session 1901-02 (n.p., n.d.), 59-61; Report of Board of Education of City of Memphis for Session 1903- 04 and 1904-05 (Memphis: S. C.Toof & Co., n.d.), 12.

59 21 “W.Y.C. Humes,”CA, July 2, 1966; CD 1898, 391; Southern Biographical Association, Men of the South (New Orleans: James 0. Jones Co., 1922), 66.

22 “Fairyland,”Night Desk, CA,August 31, 1948;“Fifty Years Ago,”CA,April 15, 1958; CD 1906, 473; CD 1907, 491; CD 1908, 498.

23 Obituary of Robert Galloway, CA, January 12, 1918, and PS, January 13, 1918; Fauntleroy,“Index,”I: December 19, 1892, 139; Goodspeed’s History of Shelby County,Tennessee (Nashville: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1887), 966; Souvenir Industrial Edition, United Labor Journal 1900 (n.p.) , n.p.

24 Fauntleroy,“Index,”I, December 19, 1892, 139; CD 1899, 382; CD 1910, 585-586; CD 1911, 1692; CD 1912, 1782; CD 1913, 587;“Crisler Buys Glen Mary,”CA, March 27, 1912.

25 McFarland,“Park,”Memoirs. 133-35; Fauntleroy,“Index,”II, November 18, 1901, 18; January 21, 1902,120; July 26, 1902, 11; February 19, 1906, 30; and April 5, 1906, 32; May 9, 1906, 32.

26 “Evergreen Ladies Busy,”CA, March 11, 1909; Interview with Margaret and Frances Johnson, 6-7; Interview with Camille Sparks, 2; Woman’s Evergreen Club Yearbook 1924-25, Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library, 12-13; Evergreen Presbyterian Church 1910-1960; Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Memphis,Tennessee (n.p.), n.p.; Information on VECA from Peggy Jemison; Information on MMIA from Kay Portman.

27 Robert Galloway’s Evergreen Subdivision is unrecorded;see Special Plat Book N 2 for Plat of Block “M” and “N,”Half of Block “N” Robert Galloway’s Evergreen Subdivision, Mapping and Property, Public Works, City of Memphis.There is also, of course, a park named in honor of Robert Galloway and anoth- er Galloway Street near that park; Park Commission Minutes, Book 3, March 22, 191 9, 126 and October 26, 1920, 203;“Galloway Park,”CA, July 18, 1923.

28 Information on Finley W.Faxon from Peggy Jemison; F.W.Faxon and Co. Evergreen Subdivision, Special Plat Book N 2 Mapping and Property.

29 Obituary of W.P.Chapman, CA, October 20, 1931; Obituary of Mrs. Chapman, CA, December 4, 1931; W.P.Chapman’s Woodland Knoll Subdivision, November 7, 1901, Plat Book 4, 2, Mapping and Property.

30 Obituary of A. }. Carruthers, CA, February 13, 1931; Interview with M iss Margaret Johnson, 1-2; History of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, n.p.; CD 1906, 1523, 661, 1588; CD 1907, 1778, 1709, 1669; CD 1908, 1616; CD 1910, 1757, 1864; MMIA, Historic Structures Group Survey, Beard and Lawrence Streets;A. B. Carruthers Subdivision of South Half of Lot 6 of the Race Tract, Plat Book 4, November, 1904, 88 and 89, Mapping and Property, Memphis.

31 CD 1899, 1966; CD 1900, 1114; CD 1906, 1704; CD 1907, 1773; Interview with William D. Galbreath.

32 Obituary of W.P.Chapman, CA, October 20, 1931; Bette Tilly, Roselle-Annesdale;A Community with a Past— and a Future? (Memphis: MIFA, 1979), 7-8.

60 33 Interview with Margaret and Frances Johnson, 9.

34 CD 1905, 1412, 1429.

35 Interview with Johnson sisters; CD 1908, 495, 1906; CD 1910, 1430; CD 1917, 145, 1763; CD 1920, 1983.

36 CD 1910, 1722; CD 1913, 1691.

37 MMIA, Surveyor Robert K.Williams, Historic Structures Group Survey, Forrest Street; Interview with Mrs. Jessie Latham Perkins, 17.

38 MMIA, Historic Structures Survey, Forrest Street.

39 Ibid.

40 Ibid.; Interview with Frances Rosenstein.

41 Interviews with Camille Sparks, 1, and Jessie Perkins, 14-15.

42 Interviews with Jessie Perkins, 14-15, and Robert K.Williams (untaped).

43 Quotation Max Furbringer, Domestic Architecture (Memphis: Jones & Furbringer, 1916), 68-69; MMIA, Surveyors Sharon Harris and R. K.Williams, Historic Structures Survey, Forrest; Norman Rosengarten,“Max Furbringer,”PS,August 17, 1935; Obituary of Max Furbringer, CA, January 17, and January 18, 1957.

44 MMIA, Harris and Williams, Surveyors, Historic Structures Survey, Forrest Street;Walter Stewart, “George Awsumb,”CA, January 29, 1934; Obituary, PS, November 24, 1959, and CA, November 25, 1959.

45 “Evergreen Ladies Busy,”CA, March 11, 1909.

46 Woman's Evergreen Club Yearbook 1924-25, 12-15; Interview with Mrs. Frank Wingfield.

47 Mike McGee,“Evergreen Club,”CA, September 1, 1959;“Evergreen Club,”PS,April 10, 1962; Interviews with Jessie Perkins, Margaret and Frances Johnson, and Jim Wood.

48 Obituary of E. 0. Bailey, CA, January 19, 1962;Mike McGee,“Evergreen Club,”CA, September 1, 1959.

49 Interview with Grace Rudisill Holt, 2-3, 8;“June H. Rudisill,”CA, March 17, 1929, and PS, February 7, 1938; Obituary, PS and CA, June 4, 1965; C. P.J. Mooney, The Mid-South and Its Builders (Memphis: Mid-South Biographic and Historical Association, 1920), 682.

50 Mike McGee,“Evergreen Club,”CA, September 1, 1959;“Evergreen Club,”PS,April 10, 1972.

61 51 Ibid.

52 Ibid.; Mary Pond Diehl,“From There to Where with Memphis and Snowden P.-T.A.’’;P.-T.A.Scrapbook, Snowden File, both in Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

53 Information from Bena Gates; Interview with Grace Rudisill Holt, 1.

54 History of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, n.p.

55 Ibid.;“Crisler Buys Glen Mary,”CA, March 27, 1912; Fauntleroy,“Index,”II, July 15, 1922;Trinity United Methodist Church, A History of Trinity United Methodist Church 1915-1975 (n.p., n.d.), 12-14; “Evergreen Presbyterian, CA, January 1, 1940.

56 Interviews with Jim Wood and Reverend Sargent Simm (unrecorded); History of Evergreen Presbyterian, n.p.

57 History of Trinity Methodist, 1-4.

58 Telephone interview with Chalmers Walker; CD 1916, 397; CD 1920, 493; CD 1922, 389; CD 1924, 387; CD 1925, 503; Proceedings of Shelby County Baptist Association, 1920 and 1922.

59 Telephone Interview with Mac Robinson;Tennessee Historical Records Survey Project, Directory of Churches, Missions, and Religious Institutions of Tennessee, No. 79, Shelby County (Memphis), (Nashville: Historical Records Survey, 1941), 8.

60 “Evergreen Club,”CA, September 1, 1959; Park Commission Minutes, Book 1:August 17, 1910; November 22, 1911; January 19, 1912;April 21, 1919; March 22, 1919; October 26, 1920.

61 Ibid.

62 Park Commission Minutes, Book 4, October 8, 1919, 307, and November 26, 1929, 307;“Evergreen Club,”CA, February 7, 15, 1935, and September 1, 1959; PS, February I and 6, 1935.

63 Ibid.

64 CD 1907, 1774; CD 1908, 1745; CD 1909, 1798; CD 1910, 1821; CD 1911, 1692; CD 1912, 1782.

65 CD 1907, 1774; CD 1908, 1745; CD 1909, 1798; CD 1910, 1821; CD 1911, 1692; CD 1912, 1782; CD 1913, 1916; Interview with Grace R. Holt, 4-5, 8; Interview with Jessie Perkins 5, 12; MMIA, Historical Structures Group Survey, Overton Park Avenue, Surveyor Jeanne Morgan.

66 CD 1912, 1782; Interview with Grace Holt, 4;“$50,000 Fire,”CA, December 17, 1917.

67 “Fire,”CA, December 17, 1917; Obituary of Mrs. Galloway, PS, May 12, 1942;“Galloway Home,”CA, August 25, 1973; Ed Dunn “Business News,”PS, March 22, 1973;Alice Fulbright,“Elegant Mansion,”CA,

62 October 23, 1977;“On the Auction Block,”PS,April 16, 1977. Miss Agnes Bowe, member of MMIA, has done an authoritative search authenticating the date of the home. The editor of the Evergreen News, Rick Thomas, wrote that the Galloways moved into the home in 1905. In an effort to verify this state- ment, Miss Bowe did a thorough search of sources in the Memphis Room. She also checked the Tax Assessor’s Office which showed that before 1910 Robert Galloway did not have a clear title to the land. Miss Bowe also received a photostatic copy of the record from MLG&W showing the date the electricity was turned on: December, 1911. Moreover, since the city directories and old-time rs both agree that Robert Galloway lived at 1702 Overton Park Avenue before Paisley Hall, then probably he did. The 1702 home is first listed in the city directory of 1910 as under construction; Galloway and his family were there in 1911.Thus, there seems to be no reason to question the 1911-1912 date.

68 Diary of Jessie Latham Perkins.

69 Obituary of Mrs. Galloway, PS, May 22, 1942.

70 Information compiled by Agnes Bowe.

71 MMIA, Historic Structures Group Survey Stonewall, Surveyo r Agnes Bowe; CD 1910, 1861; CD 1911, 1734.

72 Interview with Sue Reid Williams, 2; Information from Agnes Bowe.

73 “Lake Place,”CA, December 29, 1949.

74 Park Commission Minutes, Book 4: First Quotation, June 8, 1926, 92; Second quotation, July 19, 1927, 182; also see, June 22, 1926, 96; July 20, 1926, 101-103; March 7, 1927, 137;April 19, 1927, 150.

75 CD 1908, 151; MMIA, Historic Structures Group Survey North Parkway, Surveyor Mara Jones; “Evergreen Club,”CA, March 11, 1909.

76 MMIA Historic Structures Group Survey, North Parkway, Surveyor Mara Jones; Clipping on 1635 North Parkway, Mrs. Cawthorn, and Shamrock Cottage, PS, March 11, 1937.

77 Interview with Jeff Marmon, Jr. , 10; MMIA, Historic Structures Group Survey, North Parkway, Surveyor Mara Jones; “Londoner Buys Memphis Homes, CA, July 18, 1937.

78 Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Memphis:The City of Opportunity (n.p., n.d. 1924), 22-24.

79 Interview with Connie Starr, 1; MMIA Historic Structures Group Survey, Kenilworth.

80 Connie Starr, 5.

81 Interview with Sam Seessel, 2; Unrecorded interview with Kay Johnston.

63 82 Harland Bartholomew, A Comprehensive City Plan of Memphis,Tennessee (St. Louis: Harland Bartholomew, 1924), 120.

83 Interview with Jeff Marmon, Jr., 11.

84 Paul Coppock,“Overton Park’s Sister Landmark,”CA, November 6, 1979.

85 Ibid.;“Gayoso Group Takes Control of Parkview,”CA, July 8, 1941.

86 Interview with Charles Drake, 4.

87 Interviews with Jeff Marmon, Jr., 2-4 and Mrs. Perkins, 23.

88 Interview with Margaret Johnson, 6, and untaped conversation with Charles Drake.

89 Interview with Charles Drake, 4.

90 Interview with Sue Williams, 7.

91 Ibid.. 6; Survey of Part of J. M. Baker Tract, September, 1922, Basic Block Book, N 2, Mapping and Property, Memphis.

92 Untaped interview with Gene Billingsley and Paul Blanchard.

93 “Curb Market Offers.Variety,”Center City.V,September, 1979.

94 “Londoner Buys Memphis Home,”CA, July 18, 1937;“1597 North Parkway,”PS, November 19, 1940; Untaped interview with Connie Starr;“A Zone Ban Lifted in War Emergency,”CA, May 22, 1943.

95 PS:Ada Gilkey,“Miss Tann,”July 2, 1935;Ada Gilkey,“It’s Fourteen Miles,”June 4, 1937;Ada Gilkey “Babies Smile,”April 13, 1943;Alfred Anderson,“Miss Tann Dies,”September 15, 1950; Clark Porteous, “Taylor Charges Miss Tann;” October 17, 1950;“Final Decision on Who Owns Tann Estate,”January 22, 1954;“Here’s Where Tann Judgment Will Go,”January 23, 1954. CA: Ellis Moore,“40 to 50 Babies Died,” September 18, 1950.

96 Telephone interview with Ann Marie Tarver.

8 Tilly, Rozelle-Annesdale, 23.

98 Interview with Jameson Jones, 3-4.

99 Interview with David Hilliard, 3-4, Charles Drake, 8-9, Sue Williams 21-22, John Ford Canale, 11 and Kay Portman, 12.

64 100 Harland Bartholomew & Assoc., A Report upon Interstate Highway Routes in Memphis and Shelby County,Tennessee (St. Louis: Harland Bartholomew and Associates, 1955); Richard Henry Ginn, “Interstate 40 through Overton Park:A Case Study of Location Decision Making,”(Master’s Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1970);“Chase Again Starts Discussion about Expressways,”PS, May 3, 1951; “Plan Now for Expressways,”CA, January 14, 1951: Robert Gray,“Expressway for Memphis?” CA, September 14, 1952;Van Pritchartt, Jr.,“Expressways Major Step is Taken,”PS, December 22, 1953;“City Looks to Future on Expressway,”CA, September 17, 1955;‘’Expressway Is Ok-ed by City Commission,’’ CA, September 21, 1955;“Sweeping Expressway System,”CA, July 8, 1955;“Expressways Start Within Year,”CA, July 6, 1956; Robert Gray,“Full Cooperation Pledged,”CA, November 21, 1956;Van Pritchartt, Jr.,“Access Points Selected,”PS, February 15, 1957.

101 CA, January 28, 1960; PS, December 2, 1961.

102 James H.White,“Ragsdale Plan” PS, September 11, 1958.

103 Charles A. Brown,“Green Light Flashes for East-West X-Way,”PS, July 31, 1965; Ginn,“Interstate Through Overton Park,”22; Irma 0. Sternberg, Overton Park Is Your Park, Memphis! (Memphis:Tri-State Press, 1971), 16-25;“Sketch of Expressway Plans and New Timetable,”CA, September 9, 1964.

104 Carl Crawford,‘Park Route Likely to Stand,”CA, February 16, 1968; Ginn,“Interstate Through Overton Park,”4.

105 This is my thesis which will be illustrated in subsequent discussion on the controversy. See, Elton Whisenhunt,“Mayor Bucks Overton Park Expressway,”PS, January 4, 1964;William Bennett,“Interstate 40 through Park Called ‘Final,’”CA, Fe bruary 4, 1967; Jimmie Covington,“Council Opposes Overton Routing,”CA, March 6, 1968; Robert Kellett,“Overton Park Route Cleared by City Council,”CA,April 5, 1968.

106 According to Miss Margaret Johnson the original route was along the old bus route through the park but it continued along Galloway Avenue. Going this way the road almost ran into Sears at Crosstown. (It also meant taking Trinity United Methodist Church.) Strong opposition from Sears, Roebuck, and Co . was supposedly one reason for changing the route. Following the former streetcar track was a much straighter way through the neighborhood. Exactly why the builders changed the design is not clear, but after completing feasibility studies they ended with the current path. Interview with Margaret Johnson, 10; see sketch of expressway plans, CA, July 9, 1964.

107 CPOP,CA, September 16, 1971.

108 Charles A. Brown,“Green Light,”PS, July 31, 1965; Williams Bennett,“Scien tists OK,”CA, July 24, 1965.

109 Paul Vanderwood,“City Beautiful,”PS,August 4, 1964; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton Park,”55; “Overton Park Expressway,”PS, September 21, 1971;“Professional Engineers Support Overton Route,” PS, June 21, 1964.

65 110 Quotation: Elton Whisenhunt,“X-Way Opponents Win New Delay,”PS, October 10, 1964.Also PS, 1964: see Elton Whisenhunt,“Mayor Bucks Overton Park Expressway,”January 3;“Would Expressway Sever the Zoo?” June 24; Paul Vanderwood,“Routes Studied to Avoid Park,”July 30 and 31;“Overton Park Nature Trail,”September 10; Charles A. Brown,“X-Way Warning: Changes Costly” September 18; Edward L.Topp,“Overton Park Route Seems all Settled,”September 24;“Pack Promi ses New Look,” October 22; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,”61,

111 William Bennett,“Interstate 40 Route through Park Called ‘Final,’”CA, February 4, 1967;“Park Freeway Gets City’s OK,”CA, May 3, 1967.

112 “Legislators Write Bill to Bar 1-40 from Park,”CA, March 10, 1967; Jefferson Riker,“Expressway Case Gets Last ‘Ride!’” CA, February 15, 1968; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,”63-67.

113 Jimmie Covington,“Council Opposes Overton Routing,”CA, March 6, 1968; Charles A. Brown, “Possible Council X-Way Route Once Rejected,”PS, March 27, 1968; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,” 66; Sternberg, Overton is Your Park, 31-32.

114 PS editorial, March 7, 1968; also, Sternberg, Overton Is Your Park, 43-51; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,”66-68.

115 “City Council Must Act,”PS, March 16, 1968; Carl Crawford,“1-40 through Overton,”CA, February 16, 1968;“Tennessee Highway Department Wants City Council to Accept Right of Way,”PS, March 26, 1968; Ginn,“Interstate Through Overton,”68-71; Stemberg, Overton Is Your Park, 31-42.

116 Robert Kellett,“Overton Park Route Cleared by City Council,”CA,April 5, 1968.

117 Null Adams,“Park X-Way Gets Final O.K.,”PS,Ap ril 19, 1968.

118 Charles A. Brown,“Millions Go into X-Way Route to Park,”PS, December 6, 1967;“The Overton Park Issue Again,”PS, December 7, 1967;“X-Way Bulldozers Bite Pathway through Park,”PS,August 12, 1968.

119 Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,”71-76; 1969, CA;“State Holding Upon Park X-Way,”January 30; “Park Route:Whose Decision,”February 11; Jimmie Covington,“Volpe Now Says Design Only in Overton Park Route Case,”October 14. 1969, PS: Clark Porteo us,“Foes Attack X-Way Route Once Again,” May 19;“U. .”.Official Blocks Park X-Way, Loeb Says,”September 30.

120 Quotation, PS, November 21, 1970,“X-Way Case to Get High Court Hearing.”The reference to the “White Knights,”is from an article by Thomas BeVier,“The White Knights and Overton Park,” September 26, 1971. He picked up a statement by U. S. Prosecutor Thomas Turley, which was not intended to be a compliment.Also see,Tom Wicker,“The Highway Juggernaut,”New Yor k Times, March 4, 1971; Ginn,“Interstate through Overton,”79-86; Sternberg, Overton is Your Park, 8-10. For the local newspapers see, CA, 1970:“Overton Tunnel Called Risky,”February 20;“Park Expressway Gets Green Light,”February 21;William Green,“State Cleared on Park Route,”March 31;“Overton Route Delayed Again,”April 4; Jefferson Riker,“Fans of Park May Challenge I-40 Decision,”September 30;“Bids on Park

66 Expressway Scheduled to be Withdrawn,”October 13; James Chisum,“Park Route Ok-ed,”October 31; “I-40 Project Nears Start,”November 6; Morris Cunningham,“State Federal Tactis Revised in I-40 Battle,” December 30, 1970. CA, 1971,“Councilmen Disagree on I-40 Park Decision,”January 19; Morris Cunningham,“Supreme Court Orders Full Review,”March 3. PS, 1970,“X-Way Case to High Court,” November 21; Lee Stillwell,“Briefs Cite Reasons for Park Route,”November 24; Kay Pittman Black, “Conservation Groups Tell Why They Joined X-Way Fight.”December 3; Stillwell, “State Says It Could Build Freeway Without U. S.Aid,”December 4; Stillwell,“X-Way Debate in High Court,”December 7; Stillwell,“High Court to Rule on Park X-Way,”December 8;“Park Area Residents Oppose Moving Expressway Route,”December 18; Edwin L.Topp,“State Lawyer Charges Park X-Way about Face,” December 18; Clark Porteous,“Local Lawyers Disagree with Griswold Stand,”December 19.

121 PS, 1971,“State Cites Cost of Park Tunnel,”January 4;“Chance of Speedy Review,”January 5; Kay P. Black,“Pro X-Way Groups,”July 31; Black,“Railroad Right of Way Too Costly,”October 5; Black and Tom Jones,“State, U. S. Steal Stage in Park X-Way Hassle,”October 7; Black,“Engineer Testifies,”October 8; Black,“Witness says U. S. Rejected X-Way Tunnel on Cost Basis,”October 9; Black,“Ex-Official Quoted,” October 12; Black and Jones;“Judge Pro poses Injunction on Audubon X-Way,”October 19; Black and Jones,“Engineer Hits X-Way Tunnel,”October 21; Black and Jones,“Objectors Didn’t Prove Prudent Alternative Route,”November 5. PS, 1972, Black,“Overton X-Way Case,”January 5; Black,“Environmental Act Believed Applicable,”January 6; Black,“X-Way Record Photostats are Taken to Washington,”February 17;“Judge Awards $3,237 for X-Way Court Costs,”April 19; Lee Stillwell,“Federal Study Backs Overton Park X-Way,”August 3;“Noise, Pollution of Park Freeway Ruled Acceptable,”August 4;“Overton X-Way Gains Additional Support,”August 25;“Kiwanians Back Overton X-Way,”July 8;“Medical Council Endorses Overton Route,”September 12;“Council Ok’s Park X-Way Once Again,”September 13; Black and Johnnie Vaughn,“Heated Arguments Erupt at Expressway Hearing,”September 14; Black,“Hearing on X-Way Being Transcribed,”September 15;“Two Groups Back Park X-Way,” September 15. PS, 1973, Wayne Chastain,“Another X-Way Route Fight Looms,”January 23; Black and Vaughan,“X-Way Team Hunting for Loopholes, January 29; Black,“State Petitions for U.S. Ruling in X-Way Case,”February 2;“U. S.Attorney opposes state X-Way Move.”March 10;Tim Wyngaard,“Political Approach Adopted by Advocates of Expressway,”May 10;“Overton X-Way Backed by 85%,”June 1;“Judge Ok’s New Stay in X- Way Case,”June 4; Lee Stillwell “New Highway Chief Favors Park Route for X-Way,’’June 16; Null Adams and Johnnie Vaughan,“Dunn Says Overton Case ‘Now in my Lap,’”August 29.

CA, 1971,“Ecology Appeal in Park Defense is Sidetracked,”August 24;“I-40 Plaintiffs Awarded One New Court,”September 23;‘“Less Damaging’ Route Was Discarded,Attorneys Argue,”September 28; Michael Lollar,“Planning Expert Offers Alternate Park Routes,”October 1; Lollar,“Secret Survey Revealed in Park Case,”October 2; Lollar,“Pollard Defends Choosing Park Route,”October 16; Lollar,“Park Route Foes Shun Convenience,”October 19; Lollar,“Lewis Says He Believes I-40 Design Will Minimize Overton Park Harm,”October 29;

“Park Brief Asks Volpe Decision,”November 16. CA, 1972,“Volpe Decides on Fresh Start,”January 25; Jefferson Riker,“New 1-40 Hearing Order Restarts ‘Overton Park’s Merry-Go Round,’”March 5; Michael Lollar,“Hearing Eyed on Park Route,”June 8;“Hearing Started Today on I-40 Ramp Near Pa rk,”August 3; “Overton Case Called ‘Model’ by Kuykendall,”August 31;“Razing Urged of Buildings,”November 1; Morris Cunningham,“Volpe’s Departure Clouds Park Expressway’s Future,”December 9; Cunningham,

67 “Volpe Still Mary Determine Fate of Overton Park Case,”December 15;“Volpe Vows Effort at Park Ruling,”December 22;“Daniels Will Offer Resolution on Park,”December 29. CA, 1973,“Resolution to Block Route Through Park Ok-ed in House,”January 11;“I-40 Measure Dies in Senate After Protests,’’ January 12; Morris Cunningham,“Volpe Ruling Expected on Park Route,”January 13; Cunningham, “Volpe Spurns Current Proposal for Freeway through Park,”January 19;William Bennett,“ Stunned State Officials Are Groping for Next Turn on X-Way Maze,”January 20; Lollar,“Volpe Erred, State Contends,” February 2; Lollar,“State Is Accused of Evading Law on X-Way,”February 13;“Jurist Leans Toward Remand in Park I-40 Case,”March 25; Lollar,“Brinegar Asks Ruling in I-40 Case,”March 27;“New I-40 Decision Protested,”April 10; Lollar,“Judge Orders Brinegar to Decide on 1-40,”April 20;“Remand Appeal Is Requested in Park Case,”May 15; Lollar, “Turley Steps Out of Overton Appeal,”May 30. CA, 1978, Cunningham,“I-40 Issue May Revive If Adams Should Quit,”July 18;“Expressway,”November 1; “All That Glitters,”November 3. CA, 1979,“Court Action Studied on Tunnel Decision,”March 6;“1-40 Tunnel Funds,”August 2.

122 Interview with Kay Portman, 9; Ginn,“Interstate Through Overton Park,”50-51; Brown Alan Flynn, “Cost Doubles for Expressways, PS,August 7, 1965;“X-Way Bulldozers Bite Pathway,”PS,August 12, 1968; Michael Lollar,“Appeals Court Rejects Park Route Foes Efforts,”CA, September 30, 1971; Edward L.Topp,“Memphis Expressway Moving Ahead Rapidly,”PS, May 23, 1969; Paul Vanderwood,“New Roadway by Mid-67,”PS, June 24, 1964;“New Ramp,”PS, February 12, 1973;“Park Route Still Best,” September 10, 1972; Interview with Charles Drake, 4, Margaret and Frances Johnson, 8, David Hilliard, 2.

123 Interview with Connie Starr, 123.Also see Interview with Kay Portman,4; Charles Edmundson, “Homeowners Hang in Doubt,”CA, October 2, 1966; Richard Lentz,“Homeowners Stew Over I-40 Path Uncertainties,”CA, March 17, 1968.

124 Interview with Eleanor McCorkle, 11-15.

125 Untaped interview with Mrs. Ernest T.Kelly.

126 Untaped interview with Mrs. Frank Wingfield.

127 Interview with Charles Drake, 9.Also see Interview with John Ford Canale, 11.

128 Interview with Jameson Jones, 2-3.

129 Telephone interview with Mike Hjort of the Memphis Park Commission; Pat Hair,“General History of Overton Park,”typed manuscript in Memphis Room, 1978;“Formal Dedication of WPA Project,”CA, September 13, 1936;“Memphis’ First Outdoor Show Acclaimed by 2500,”PS, July 20, 1938; Paul Martin,“MOAT Rings Down ‘51 Curtain to Strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’”CA,August 19, 1951;“Future of MOAT Looks Dark, May Skip Season or Liquidate,”CA, January 12, 1952;“Summer Shows to be On, in Tent—Not in Shell,”PS,April 5, 1952;Teleph one interview with Bob Schuyler of the Memphis Park Commission.

68 130 Interview with Eleanor McCorkle, 17-18.

131 “Admission Fees,”CA, May 8, 1968, and June 17, 1970; PS, January 8, 1971, and December 7, 1973.

132 Interview with Eleanor McCorkle, 17-18, and John Ford Canale, 11.

133 Interview with Connie Starr, 7.

134 CD 1939, 1558; CD 1945, 1942; CD 1951, 64; CD 1960, 592; CD 1964, 39;Telephone interview with Mrs. S.T.Selden, Jr.; CD 1942, 1397; CD 1945, 1942; CD 1928, 1085; CD 1932, 918; CD 1934, 850; CD 1936, 1482, 1180; CD 1939, 1558; CD 194 2, 1397; CD 1951, 64, 109; CD 1954, 1141.

135 Information from Peggy Jemison based on interview with Donald Coffey, Principal of Snowden.

136 Information collected by Pat Faudree From the Memphis Board of Education.

137 Interview with Sue Williams, 16.

138 Ibid., 17.

139 Interview with Kay Portman, 14-19, and Sue Williams, 19-21.

140 Information from Peggy Jemison, and interview with Jameson Jones, 10.

141 Interview with Annah Lee Early, 10-11.

142 Interview with David Hilliard, 3-4; History of Trinity, 1.

143 Interviews with Hilliard, 7-10, Margaret and Frances Johnson, 8-9, Jameson Jones, 12-13.

144 Evergreen News - September 7, December 5, December 7, 1973; September 20, 1977.

145 William G. Cavett,“City Must Keep Faith,”PS, July 17, 1953.

146 “Parkway Perils,”Evergreen News,August 8, 1975; Interview with Jameson Jones, 9-10.

147 Michael Dollar,“Officials Begin Eyeing Alternate I-40 Route,”CA, March 14, 1979; Gertha Coffee, “Official Calls By-Pass Plan Good Beginning,”CA, July 15, 1979;“Donelson to Check Park Bypass Plan,” CA,August 1, 1979;“I-40 Funds May be Shifted,”PS,August 2, 1979.

148 “Park ‘Historic’ Push Evokes I-40 Problem,”CA, June 18, 1979.

69 149 “New Use for Right-of-Way Possible,”CA, June 28, 1978; U.S., Code of Federal Regulations,Title 23, Highways, 480.101, 131-134.

150 Interview with Kay Portman, 4, MMIA Historic Structures Group Survey, Kenilworth.

70 APPENDIX A Some Resident Listings in Evergreen, 1908 and 1909 Garland For est 207 Halliburton 1640 Henry Gluck 209 S. P.Walker 1653 H. H. Dammann 215 Michael Canale 1654 W.P.Battle 223 T.K. Gatchell 1662 J.W.Martin 233 Vacant 1694 Allyn Jones 237 J. H.Tumes 1702 W.S. Biles 244 E. K. Milton 1709 I. F.Peters and F.T.Graves 1718 S. L. Sparks 289 E. G. Bell 1728 L.A. Montedonico 305 R. G. Brown 1734 Max Furbringer 319 J. S. Galloway 1756 Dr.A. B. Bonar 318 M. G. Liberman 1792 W.P.Chapman 338 J. C.Adams 349 E. F.Dowling Summer 353 Max Patterson 1716 E. 0. Bailey 273 J. M. Goff 1782 Robert Annistead 292 W.H. Flowers J. H. Rawlings Galloway 1632 B.T.Johnson 298 R. H. Lipscomb 1688 Gwynn 302 H. J. Baum 1694 310 J. Q. Eaton 1700 Newland 1719 Rogers McCallum Autumn 1731 W.L.Allen 1678 K. H. Polk 1738 A. B. Carruthers 1688 J.W.Fulghum 1749 C. H. Johnson 1732 Dr. D. M. Hall 1740 Vacant McLean 1741 C. D.Wilhoite es ln T.A.J.Wade ln E. S. Belote N. Willett 206 W.H. Fleeharty 209 Burrow 243 J. B. Bailey 215 J. E. Sheates R. J. Bolder 219 R. L.Thomas 329 J.A. Oliver 233 Walter Stone 241 L.A. Montedonico Lawr ence 265 George Mahan 1687 Walter Berryhill 275 S. F.Cook 1693 G. P.Long 346 Archer Ware 1694 E. M. Lazarus 364 S. Morton 1698 R. L. Stratton 1702 W.K. Love R. L. Polk’s Memphis City Directory, 1908 and 1909

71 APPENDIX B THE ZOO POPULATION AND VALUE This was the inventory of the Memphis Zoo as given in the Report of the Board of Park Commissioners, 1907-08 (pages 25-28).

2 Elk $ 500.00 2 South American Coons 25.00 11 White Tail Deer 775.00 6 African Rabbits 100.00 2 American Buffalo 500.00 30 Gold Fish 15.00 2 Texas Badgers 30.00 2 White Peacocks 100.00 4 Opossums 20.00 6 Gray Peacocks 90.00 10 Native Raccoons 100.00 2 Mountain Lions or Pumas 300.00 12 White Rabbits 60.00 3 Cub Bears 100.00 1 Cinnamon Bear 400.00 4 Golden Pheasants 25.00 3 Black Bears 500.00 5 English Pheasants 15.00 6 Imperial Eagles 90.00 2 Canadian Porcupines 30.00 12 Horned Owls 60.00 2 Striped Gophers 6.00 12 Ring Doves 48.00 20 Smooth Coat Guinea Pigs 40.00 2 Mexican Wild Hogs 2 Sheldrake 12.00 or Peccaries 75.00 1 Mexican Curlasow 20.00 1 African Elephant 2 ,500.00 4 Mallard Ducks 16.00 1 Gray Fox 15.00 2 Pin Tall Ducks 6.00 1 Male Barbarian Lion 800.00 2 Red Head Ducks 6.00 1 Female Bengal Tiger 1,000.00 2 Wild Geese 25.00 3 California Sea Lions 340.00 2 Japanese Geese 30.00 2 Mexican Tigers 75.00 3 Wood Duck 15.00 2 African Leopards 400.00 2 Australian Black Swans 75.00 5 Young Alligators 25.00 2 Pelicans 30.00 1 Red Fox 10.00 2 Flamingoes 25.00 1 Male Coyote 15.00 3 German Storks 60.00 1 White Bactrian Camel 500.00 3 Gray Ducks 15.00 10 South American Parrots 80.00 1 White Swan 50.00 1 Female Barbarian Lion 800.00 20 White Pekin Ducks 12.00 2 Large Alligators 150.00 2 Coot Ducks 5.00 15 Guinea Pigs 30.00 4 Wild Geese 50.00 6 Angora Goats 75.00 2 Wildcats 20.00 1 Honduras Opossum 15.00 Cost of Cages and Dens 2,711.58 1 Australian Kangaroo 200.00 Cost of Zoo Buildings 15,000.00 2 Brant Geese 20.00 Cost of Water Mains 1,000.00 11 South American Monk eys 210.00 Cost of Fencing etc. 1,000.00 65 Domestic Snakes 75.00 4 Ferrets 16.00 $37,726.58 1 Tennessee Eagle 10.00 2 Marmoset Monkeys 15.00 15 White Rats 12.00

72 APPENDIX C EXCERPTS FROM ARCHITECTURAL SPECIFICATIONS For House Built in 1916

: SPECIFICATIONS: FOR MATERIALS AND LABOR NECESSARY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLETION OF A TWO- STORY BRICK VENEER RESIDENCE FOR TONY A CANALE ON SOUTH SIDE OF POPLAR BETWEEN WATKINS AND MCNEIL, MEMPHIS,TENN., AS PER PLANS PREPARED FOR SAME BY AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF

Regan & Weller,Architects

834-5 Bank of Commerce & Trust Bldg. Memphis,Tenn.

****************************

: GENERAL CONDITIONS : The contractor is to furnish all labor, material tools, scaffolding, appliances, etc. necessary for the con- struction and completion of the building in all its parts as planned and herein specified.

; WORK AND MATERIAL : All work of each and every kind must be executed in a good, neat, substantial and workmanlike man- ner, and no material and workmanship whatever is to be omitted which is either implied or necessari- ly connected with the proper completion of the work. Notwithstanding that every item is not particu- larly specified or shown, the building is to be delivered in a clean and perfect condition on comple- tion.

All materials unless otherwise specified to be the best of their respective kinds and the same carefully protected by the contractor after delivery on grounds.

: THE CONTRACTOR : To be an experienced and capable man in his line, and be or have a capable foreman on and in charge of the work at all times during the progress of same, from beginning until completion of the building.

: CONCRETE : All concrete to be made of Atlas Portland Cement, clean coarse river sand and bar run gravel in pro- portions of one, three, and five, all properly mixed and tamped well in place with all voids properly filled and smooth faces for all work. No material to be larger than 2” cube.

: FACE BRICK WORK : Tops of chimneys to be cemented as shown, finished and cleaned before roof is put on. All brick work must be cleaned down after completion, with muriatic acid one to fifteen and care must be taken that mortar does not smear brickwork.

73 ; PLASTERING ; Lath building throughout with best 3/8” green pine lath 3/8” apart and 1/4” between ends. Joints bro- ken every tenth lath. All corners and angles to be made straight and solid.

Plaster all surfaces with three coats Acme or equal hard wall plaster laid as per instructions, with same and finish coat to be trowelled down to a smooth, hard and glossy surface.

: EXTERIOR FINISH : Front door frame, side lts., transom, brick mould and exterior panels to be select plain red oak. Front door to be 2 1/4” thick Q. S. red oak veneer outside and gum veneer inside. All to be glazed as marked. Interior panels under side lts. of gum.

All exterior walls marked for siding to have 3 1/2” bev. select yel. Poplar siding, 2 1/2” to weather, to fit tight to corner boards and casings and all to be put up in a neat workmanlike manner.

: INTERIOR FINISH : The house throughout unless otherwise specified, to be finished in first and second clear dry yellow pine and includes all door and window casings, base, picture moulding, cornice, chair rail, cabinets, etc., all as per details.

All interior finish to lap 1/4” over grounds and fit perfectly to plastering. Finish to be free from knots, shakes, black spots or other imperfections, thoroughly kiln dried and not to be put on until the plaster- ing is thoroughly dry. All to be finished smooth and to be properly put up and nails neatly sunk for putty and to have close, even joints.

Sliding door on landing, D. A. door facing dining room and all doors to center hall first floor to be two panel gum veneer doors, and door jambs for same to be Red Gum. C. 0. the same. All other interior doors to be two panel fir doors.

: FLOORS : Finished floors in living room, dining room, entrance hall, center hall and 1st stair landing to be of 13/16” x 2 1/4” T & G clear plain sawed white oak, balance of first story and all of second story floors B & Better 13/16” x 2 1/4” & G edge grain pine. Attic stair landings the same.

Oak floors to be laid in best manner with head joints regularly distributed and all as directed. Pine floors to be laid in single length strips.

; GLAZE : Glaze all sash, transoms, etc., unless otherwise specified, with the best quality of American D. S. A. glass same must be clear and free from waves, bubbles, and discoloration.

Florentine and wire glass where marked. All to be properly beaded, sprigged, back-tacked, and puttied, left whole and clean on completion of the building. 2” and 1 1/2” Bev. Pol. Plate Glass, Art leaded glass where shown. Art glass to be selected by owner on allowance of $2.50 per sq. ft.

74 : MANTELS : Dining room mantel where shown, and as per detail sheet. All to be furnished by mill. Tile for same to be selected on allowance of 60¢: per sq. ft. and to have black iron frame and all to be set by contractor.

Cabinet mantel upstairs in childrens’ bedroom to cost $25.00 complete with hearth and grate, includ- ing setting. Sitting room mantel to cost $40.00 complete including setting, same to be selected by Architect and owner on above allowances.

: HEATING SPECIFICATIONS : House faces North. All rooms, halls, and sleeping porch to be heated. Heating plant to be installed by a reliable heating concern with a guarantee to heat the building to 70 degrees during the coldest and windiest weather.

Used with consent of current owner, Mr. Richard Foster

75 APPENDIX D BUY IN EVERGREEN: Advertisement from the Commercial Appeal of August 24, 1902

FOR SALE - Parties who will Inform Themselves of What is being done to develop OvertOn Park and the neighborhood west of the park on McLean avenue and other streets will readily see that on account of their natural beauty and proximity to a park of that character Those lots in Woodland Knoll Subdivision On McLean avenue and the Raleigh car line, Opposite Overton Park, Will attract the best class of peo ple and residences. All of the lots in this beautiful subdivision are covered with magnificent forest trees and Are Sold Only Under Restrictions. The terms and prices are plainly marked on each lot, so you can find them by yourself and tell which are sold and to whom. How to Go. Take the Raleigh car at Main and Madison streets and get off at McLean avenue. If you will look the ground over you will see wh at a money maker they will be for those who buy now. Apply to W. P. Chapman Phone 1420, 4 Madison St.

Advertisement from the Commercial Appeal of October 1, 1905 Something New A Furnace Heated Cottage in Evergreen Subdivision, 1 block from the car line, we have an elegant 6-room cottage with all modern conven- iences, best nickel-plated plumbing, fine bath, lot 50 x 107, and it can be bought for just $4750 on $40 monthly Payments, with Reasonable Cash Payment Stotts, Dean & Co. 131 Madison St.

‘ Advertisement in the Commercial Appeal of October 1, 1905 Memphis Trust Co. Real Estate Dept. William White, Mgr.

Evergreen This is a beautiful forested subdivision near Overton Park, 20 Minute ride - front Court Square on the Raleigh car.

Evergreen We are now working on the final improvements that will give Evergreen a complete finish.

76 We are offering for $4200 on very easy terms a modern 6-room cottage, brand new, beautifully finished, every convenience.

* * * * * * * * * *

As an investment. Evergreen is sure, safe and profitable. Its future is assured. Buy now, while prices are low.

* * * * * * * * * *

$150 cash and the balance is small monthly payments buys a lot. These terms offer opportunities for large investments on a very small outlay of cash.

* * * * * * * * *

If you live in Evergreen you will enjoy a high altitude, 30 feet above Court Square, where the air is pure and healthy.

* * * * * * * * * *

Has a fifteen minute car service, electric lights, city water and sewers, granolith walks, curb and gutter, gravel streets. Evergreen has a perfect finish and is well located where property is sure of a good advance in price.

* * * * * * * * * *

The desirability of Evergreen as a place to live is evidenced by the num- ber of homes already erected there. It is pre-eminently a home place, restricted against all nuisance, and provided with all the conveniences of the city and none of its objectionable features.

* * * * * * * * * *

Take the Overton Park, Binghamton, or Raleigh car - and see this beauti- ful home place.

* * * * * * * * * *

77 Advertisements in the Commercial Appeal of January, 1924

1678 Peach Avenue Beautiful modern bungalow built along original lines that tend for dis- tinction and answers the desire for something different; a home instead of just a bungalow. Located in a section where present and future development assures the continued value of the property. Is in one-half block of car line and is convenient to Snowden School, Overton Park and the new university. The house arrangement is ideal, the living room is 14x10, the three bed- rooms are connected by a center hall, and among other features are large breakfast room, tile bath, basement hot water heat and hardwood floors. The price has been cut to the bone for a quick sale, and with as much as $1,000 cash payment easy terms may be arranged on balance. We advise you to drive by and see this today and tom orrow call for price and terms. D.E. Porter, M. 2440-2441 Sole Agents.

Near Overton Park Three-Bedroom. Oriental Brick.

Oriental brick, beautiful well matched floors, brass plumbing, hot water heat, finished in old ivory, nicely decorated, large closet in each bed- room and cedar closet in hall. Basement equippment for laundry; living room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, three bedrooms, two tile baths, including shower; shade trees, garage. Price $11,000, $2,500 cash, balance $65 per month.

Forest Avenue. Three-Bedroom-Brick.

This is a very well arranged home; large living room, which is connect- ed with dining room and front bedroom by French doors, front bed- room, has entrance from porch through French doors; there is a hall which connects all bedrooms with bath; interior is newly decorated, ha rdwood floors throughout hot water heat, double garage. Price $7,500, $1,000 cash, assume loan, balance $45 per month.

78 An Evergreen Bungalow No. 1669 Overton Park Avenue - On a nice lot, 60x60 feet, we have this attractive brick bungalow with asphalt shingle roof. The living room of this desirable home extends across the entire front, with large stone mantel. French doors open into dining room, dandy breakfast room and bright kitchen. There are two delightful bedrooms with bath between and two splendid sleeping rooms upstairs with bath between. Hot water heat and hardwood floors throughout. Walls are nicely decorated and property in nice condition. Complete with servant’s room, garage, driveway and porte-cochere. Price is right and easy terms can be had. Kindly do not disturb present occupant without engagement through this office. Call W. W. Stevenson, M. 2440-2441. Sole Agents.

79 APPENDIX E WOMAN’S EVERGREEN CIVIC CLUB

According to the Commercial Appeal of March 11, 1909, the Evergreen ladies had their first meeting on March 10 to organize “for social and civic improvement.” The charter members of that organization were:

Mrs. Mary Bolling Chapman Mrs. E. B. Gwynn Mrs. F. C. Turner 1792 Forrest 1688 Galloway 237 N. Garland

Mrs. June H. Rudisill Mrs. Louis A. Montedonico Mrs. R. M. Armistead 1687 Carruthers 241 N. Willett 1782 Summer

Mrs. A. B. Carruthers Mrs. Hopkins Mrs. Samuel L. Calhoun 1738 Galloway 1740 Autumn 1732 Overton Park Avenue

Mrs. Henry Gluck Mrs. C. B. Richards Mrs. M. H. Furbringer 1640 Forest 165 3 Forest 1734 Forest

Mrs. Preston W. Battle Mrs. William S. Biles Mrs. 0. F. Tucker 1654 Forest 1702 Forest 1690 Poplar

Mrs. I. F. Peters Mrs. A. B. Bonar Mrs. William Lea 1709 Forest 1756 Forest 1686 Poplar

Mrs. J. W. Fulghum Mrs. James E. Oliver Mrs. Will K. Love 1688 Autumn 1716 Summer 1702 Lawrence

Mrs . J. W. Gladding Mrs. E. 0. Bailey Mrs. Walter L. Gray 481 Dickinson 1716 Summer 1702 Beard Mrs. C. N. Wilhoite Mrs. Rafelty 1741 Autumn Mrs. M. E. Leavelle Mrs. Samuel T. Rucks 1704 Beard Mrs. Allyn Jones 1677 E. Carruthers 1694 Forest Mrs. Hugh W. Nott Mrs. J. Walter Martin Mrs. W. E. Hyde 1694 Galloway 1662 Forest 1696 Carruthers Mrs. Charles R. Scott Mrs. W. H. Singleton 1746 Overton Park Avenue Mrs. G. P. Long 1693 Lawrence Mrs. S. L. Sparkes 1718 Forest Mrs. Battle 0. Hicks (wid. Isaac G.) Mrs. C. M. Drew 1730 Faxon 1700 Poplar Mrs. A. S. McCracken Mrs. B. F. Johnson 1700 Faxon 1126 Carr Mrs. Walter D. Wills Mrs. T. R. Collett 1650 Faxon 1700 Poplar

80 APPENDIX F Poplar Street in 1906 - North Cleveland to East Parkway

1370 John Bacigalupo 1668 I. F. McKay

1376 W. A. Cook 1671 Mrs. M. R. Mosby

1377 Chas Wessendorf 1679 Mrs. E. G. Waldran

r. John Houston 1686 William Lea

1378 Hugo Kahlfield 1690 0. F. Tucker

1380 S. F. Pass 1700 E. B. Hancock

1384 J. F. C. Watkins 1706 Amos Woodruff

1388 C. A. Goebels 1715 Mrs. M. S. Fleece

1389 F. N. Black 1732 J. A. Moss

1405 J. B. Rollins 1735 Otto Schwill

1458 Memphis Day Nursery 1758 J. L. McCandless

Mrs. Lillian Hassell 1842 J. B. Bailey

1502 R. A. Rogers SW Corn St. Peter

1535 M. J. Clark 1876 Harrell Solon

1572 H. A. Keppel 1906 J. E. Jones

1604 H. H. Lambert 1907 L. E. Odom

1630 Mrs. S. B. Quackenboss 1916 J. E. Jones

1632 J. D. Downing Fairyland

r. James Davis 1935 Coward

1653 B . L. Yeargin 2034 Ferguson

R. L. Polk’s Memphis City Directory. 1906

81 Poplar Street in 1920 - North Cleveland to East Parkway

1349 Cross Town Specialty Store 642 H. R. Colby J. J. McNamara 1653 Richard Mendow 1350 John Latura 1658 M. E. Lamb 1351 Henry Weiss 1659 J. L. Mosby 1353 Sanders & Bennett 1668 M. L. Jones 1355 Mr. Bowers Stores No 42 1671 Mrs. M. R. Mosby 1356 Frank Muscara 1686 Mrs. S. H. Lea 1370 A. J. Signaigo 1690 0. F. Tucker 1376 L. C. Bacigalupo 1700 T. F. Turley 1377 Chas Wessendorf 1704 N. T. Hannah 1378 J. H. Morehouse 1705 Mrs. M. D. Fleece 1380 C. A. Cox 1706 R. N. Archer 1382 R. C. Baker 1708 J. E. Poague 1386 Supreme Meat Mkt 1709 Mrs. M. S. Fleece 1388 Piggly Wiggly r. Albert Brown 1389 Antonio Nuvolin 1710 J. 0. Norvell 1390 Cottingham Distributing Co. 1712 Mr. Bowers Stores No 35 (Inc) 1395 Herman Kapherr 1714 Cox-Parish Drug Co. 1398 J. E. Bell 1715 H. J. Schuh 1401 Herman Kapherr 1730 R. T. Davis 1403-05 Miller Bros 1732 R. B. Wilroy 1404 A. Z. Sweaney 1733 F. G. Smith 1410 Mrs. Selina Weaver Earl King 1414 Harry Dlugach A. J. Smith J. F. Farmer 1415 Standard Oil Co of C. W. Inglewright Louisiana filling sta 1754 George Lowery 1429 R» H. Heaner 1758 0. D. Helms 1430 C. 0. Johnson 1770 W. K. Coleman 1433 T. A. Canale 1842 E. J. Novrese 1436 W. G. Lanham sw cor St. Peters 1440 R. J. Morrison Orphanage 1485 E. R. Parham 1875 R. L. Proudfit 1511 N. W. Speers 1879 Taylor Malone 1532 T. C. Byrd 1907 Mary Johnson 1535 M. J. Clark 1927 A. L. Coward 1548 David Halle 1935 Overton Park Golf Shop 1556 M. H. Mayor 1981 Shrine Golf Club 1572 H. A. Keppel 2221 Max Heilbronner 1582 J. E. Roberts 2245 Sternberg David

R. L. Polk’s Memphis City D irectory, 1920

82 APPENDIX G Poplar Street in 1979 - North Cleveland to East Parkway

1348 Jr. League Thrift Shop 1615 Handi-Photo 1352 Lillians Bty Saln 1623 Central Wigs 1354 Annie Fannies 1627 Zayre Dept Store 1359 Walgreen Drug Stre 1635 Skaggs Supercenter 1360 Mid-Town Adult Thr. 1655 R X Thompson Atty 1364 Andy’s Lounge 1659 office building City Markets Inc. 1661 Lewers Fur Shop Curb Market 1662 Taco Bell 1367 Kroger 1674 Shakeys Pizza 1370 Pirtle Fried Chickn 1681 Joes Liquor Store 1380 H & R Block Inc. 1684 Round Corner Gift 1382 Shirleys Recvr Lng 1691 Glovers Lion Oil 1389 Mr. Pride Car Wash 1695 Sthrn Gentlmn Antq 1390 Acme Glass Co. 1698 Steak N Egg Kitchn 1397 Bottle Shop 1701 Commerce Printing 1411 Crosstown Exxon 1705 Evergreen Mov Hse 1420 Amer Natl Ins Co 1715 residence 1429 residence 1716 New Genern Ngt Cb 1430 Dix Pharmacy 1719 Dancige r Equip Co/Shepherd Prdts medical group 1720 B A Framer Ptr Frm 1433 Richard Foster, Aty 1721 Koen Furniture Co 1436 Hazels Frame Shop 1726 Mays Barber Shop Penczners Art Studio Occasion Shop Gift 1440 House of Brodbeck 1728 C Jaynes Fine Frn 1441 - 1447 apts. 1732 Glasgow Rebuilders 1450 office bldg. 1733 apartments 1455 office bldg. 1734 Major of Memphis 1462 Mphs Ctr Reprod. Hlth 1751 apartments 1469 Dr. W. S. Myers 1758 Beauty Cove 1500 T. L. Rowland CPA 1770 - 1800 apartments 1511 - 1531 apts. 1805 Cath Diocese Memphis 1548 Bapt Broth Commsn Hpy Chldn Ntrn Ctr 1555 residence St Gerard HI Home 1557 residence St Peter Hm Chldrn 1563 residence 1806 - 1822 apartments 1565 residence 1830 Swings Warehouse 1572 Townesand Co., Inc. 1842 Edwards & Davis Gulf 1582 residence 1855 apartments 1590 residnece 1658 B McVays Exxon 1591 Uni on 76 Self Srv 1861 - 1872 apartments 1610 apts.

83 1875 Holiday Manr Cr Hm 1947 Circuit Playhouse 1879 residence 1949 Jack Conroy Studio 1899 apartments 1951 residence 1 1909 Rod Phillips Photo 953 F A Torina Bty Sln 1911 Judo School 1969 to East Parkway - 1914 Parkview Manor residences and apartments 1923 Super Drive-ins 1939 Chamberlain TV Svc 1941 Chamberlain TV Svc 1943 House of Tropicals

Business Listings - 1979

Overton Park Avenue between Williamson and Angelus

1531 High Point Laundry 1541 Best Bros. Air Cond. Overton Pk Coin Lndry 1545 Memphis Ofc Supply 1553 Norman’s Garage 1554 residence 1567 William N. Sawtelle Whitten - Sawtelle Co. 1581 Stonewall Lodge 723 F&AM

Watkins between Overton Park Avenue and Galloway

394 King Burger Drive Inn 400 Little People Nursery 406 Dr. Lola P. Wells 419 Grace - Ann Bty Sln 421 Bob Smith Auto Parts 428 Associate Reform Presby Ch 462 United Paint Store 464 Paul’s Barber Shop 466 Jett Beauty Salon 468 Instru. Repair Sv. 470 Da Wah Restaurant 478 Kenty Fried Chickn

R. L. Polk’s Memphis City Directory, 1979

84 APPENDIX H Statement from Mid-Memphis Improvement Association

Mid-Memphis Improvement Association (MMIA) was formed in 1969 by a group of residents on and near Stonewall concerned by attempts to zone the southeast corner of Poplar and Stonewall for a fast food establishment. These residents quickly discerned that they needed a broad base of support and that what affected them adversely would also affect adver sely a much wider area. For these reasons, they decided MMIA would include the area bounded by Watkins, North Parkway, East Parkway, and Madison.

The purposes of MMIA are:

To maintain the area as a stable, residential neighborhood.

To preserve the historical quality of the area.

To resist commercial and other non-residential encroachments upon properties in the area.

To encourage property owners and re sidents in the area to maintain and improve their property.

To keep the area clean and green.

To promote the necessity of having a stable inner city residential area.

To promote a sense of community within the area.

MMIA was able to prevent the rezoning of the Poplar-Stonewall corner which is still zoned for residen- tial use. After that the association was successful in preventing the rezoning of th e northwest corner of Poplar and Avalon for a service station.

In 1975 MMIA protested the establishment of the Center for Reproductive Health at the corner of Poplar and McNeil, but city officials ruled that the corner was zoned for this type use. In 1979, how- ever, MMIA successfully countered the Center’s application to the Board of Adjustment for a porch enclosure. The Board of Adjustment denied the application,and the Center’s exterior retains its his- toric authenticity.

There have been numerous other attempts at non-residential and unacceptable usages of properties in the area that the association has counteracted.

MMIA had a small pine tree planted in Dickinson Park with the expectation that someday it can be used for a community-wide tree lighting ceremony. In 1975 MMIA also oversaw the p lanting of thou- sands of dogwood seedlings in the neighborhood.

85 As early as 1973 MMIA foresaw the necessity of a long-range plan for the area. A Long Range Planning Committee conducted four years of research including door-to-door surveys. On January 3, 1980, the Land Use Control Board approved the first step in the implementation of the plan. They approved the application to rezone the area bounded by Watkins, North Parkway, Evergreen, and Poplar to single family use.

In 1976 an Historic Designation Committee was formed. In the ensuing years much of the research and all the photography necessary for historic designation for several parts of the neighborhood have been completed. MMIA is now working to complete and to write the narratives.

In 1978 MMIA sponsored its first Fourth of July Picnic and Parade which has become an annual event.

MMIA has long been aware of the distructive impact that an interstate highway anywhere through Mid town would have on all of Midtown. Therefore, MMIA has opposed all the build alternatives and has consistently supported routing I-40 on I-240 North so that I-40 through Memphis can be complete.

MMIA holds an annual spring and fall general membership meeting and usually at least one other gen- eral membership meeting. The 20-member Board of Directors meets monthly and welcomes all mem- bers to attend Board meetings which are generally held in Board members’ homes.

86 BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. PRIMARY SOURCES

1. Manuscript

Hunter Scrapbook. Property of Mrs. Robert K. Hunter.

Memphis, City of. Records of the Park Commission. Minutes. Books 1 through 4, 1900-1924. Memphis Park Commission.

Olmsted Brothers. Letters of, 1898-1901. Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library. Shelby County Baptist Association. Proceedings of, 1921. Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

______. Proceedings, 1922.

Snowden File. Mary Pond Diehl, “From There to Where with Memphis and Snowden P.T.A.” Manuscript Collection, Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

______. P.T.A. Scrap book.

Woman’s Evergreen Club. Yearbook for 1924-1925. Manuscript Collection, Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

2. Printed

a. Books

Polk, R. L. & Co. M emphis City Directory. 1893. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1893.

------. 1895. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1895.

------. 1898. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1898.

------. 1899. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1899.

------. 1900. Memphis; R. L. Polk & Co., 1900.

------. 1901. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1901.

------. 1 902. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1902.

87 ------. 1905. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1905.

------. 1906. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1906.

------. 1907. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1907.

------. 1908. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1908.

------. 1909. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1909.

------. 1910. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1910.

------. 1911. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1911.

------. 1912. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1912.

------. 1913. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1913.

------. 1916. Memphis; R. L. Polk & Co. 1916.

------. 1917. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1917.

------. 1920. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1920.

------. 1922. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1922.

------. 1924. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1924.

------. 1925. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1925.

------. 1928. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1928.

------. 1932. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1932.

------. 1934. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1934.

------. 19 36. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1936.

------. 1939. Memphis: R. L., Polk & Co., 1939.

------. 1942. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1942.

------. 1945. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1945.

88 ------. 1951. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1951.

------. 1954. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1954.

------. 1960. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1960.

------. 1964. Memphis: R. L. Polk & Co., 1964.

b. Public Documents

Highways-Title 23. Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Federal Highway Administration, Part 480.101.

Memphis, City of. Board of Education. Report for 1899-1900. n.p., n.d.

------. Report for 1901-1902. n.p., n.d.

------. Report for 1903-1904. 1904-1905. Memphis: S. C. Toof & Co., n.p.

Memphis. Board of Park Commissioners. Report, 1908. n.p., n.d.

------. Report. 1911-1913. Memphis: E. H. Clarke & Brothers, 1913.

------. Report. 1913-1915. Memphis: S. C. Toof & Co., Printers, n.d.

c. Newspapers

Coffee, Gertha. “Official Calls By-Pass Plan Good Beginning,’ Commercial Appeal, July 15, 1979.

“Crisler Buys Clen Mary.” Commercial Appeal, March 27, 1912. “Curb Market, Offers Variety,” Center City, V, September, 1979.

“Donelson to Check By-Pass Plan,” Commercial Appeal, August 1, 1979.

Evergreen Ladies Busy,” Commercial Appeal, March 11, 1909.

“Galloway House,” Evergreen News, September 7, December 5, December 7, 1973; September 20, 1977.

“I-40 Funds May Be Shifted,” Press-Scimitar, August 2, 1979.

Lollar, Michael. “Officials Begin Eyeing Alternate 1-40 Route,” Commercial Appeal, March 14, 1979.

“New Use for Right-of-Way Possible,” Commercial Appeal, June 18, 1978.

89 “Park ‘Historic” Push Evokes 1-40 Problem,” Commercial Appeal, June 18, 1979.

“Parkway Perils,” Evergreen News, August 8, 1975.

d. Newspaper Clippings, Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library

B’nai B’rith Commercial Appeal, November 6, 1977.

Daily News. November 11, 1977. Press-Scimitar, April 21, 1967.

Evergreen Club Commercial Appeal, February 7, February 15, 1935.

McGee, Mike. Commercial Appeal, September 1, 1959.

Press-Scimitar. February 1, February 6, 1935; April 10, 1962.

Fairyland

“Fifty Years Ago,” Commercial Appeal. April 15, 1958.

“Night Desk,” Commercial Appeal, August 31, 1948.

Galloway House Dunn, Ed.

“Business News,” Press-Scimitar, March 22, 1973.

“Fifty Thousand Dollar Fire,” Commercial Appeal. December 17, 1917.

Fulbright, Alice. “Elegant Mansion,” Commercial Appeal, October 23, 1977.

“Galloway Home,” Commercial Appeal. August 23, 1973.

“Obituary of Mrs. May Galloway,” Commercial Appeal, May 13, 1942; Press-Scimitar. May 12, 1942.

“On the Auction Block,” Press-Scimitar. April 16, 1977.

Good Shepherd, Convent of the

Commercial Appeal. October 31, 1937; June 7, 1939; October 23, 1940; November 17, 1962; January 4, 1964.

90 Interstate 40 - Overton Park

1951 “Chase Again Starts Discussion about Expressways, Press-Scimitar. May 3.

“Plan Now for Expressways,” Commercial Appeal. January 14.

1952 Gray, Robert. “Expressways for Memphis?” Commercial Appeal, September 14.

1953 Pritchartt, Van, Jr. “Expressways Major Step is Taken,” Press-Scimitar, December 11.

1955 “City Looks to Future on Expressway,” Commercial Appeal, September 17.

“Expressway Is Ok-ed by City Commission,” Commercial Appeal, September 21.

“Sweeping Expressway System,” Commercial Appeal, July 6.

1956 “Expressways Start Within Year,” Commercial Appeal, July 18.

Gray, Robert. “Full Cooperation Pledged,” Commercial Appeal, November 21.

1957 Pritchartt, Van, Jr. “Across Points Selected,” Press-Scimitar, February 15.

1958 White, James H. “Ragsdale Plan,” Press-Scimitar, September 11.

1960 “East-West Leg Is Years Away,” Commercial Appeal, January 28.

1961 Porteous, Clark. “Here at Last,” Press-Scimitar, December 2.

1964 Brown, Charles A. “X-Way Warning: Changes Costly,” Press-Scimitar, September 18.

“Overton Park Nature Trail,” Press-Scimitar. September 10.

“Pack Promises New Look,” Press-Scimitar, October 22.

91 “Professional Engineers Support Overton Route,” Press-Scimitar, June 30.

“Sketch of Expressway Plans and New Timetable,” Commercial Appeal, September 9.

Topp, Edward L. “Overton Park Route Seems All Settled,” Press-Scimitar, September 24.

Vanderwood, Paul. “City Beautiful,” Press-Scimitar, August 4.

------. “New Roadway by Mid-67,” Press-Scimitar, June 24.

------. “Routes Studied to Avoid Park,” Press-Scimitar, July 30.

Whisenhunt, Eiton. “Mayor Bucks Overton Park Expressway, Press-Scimitar. January 3.

------. “X-Way Opponents Win New Delay,” Press-Scimitar, October 10.

“Would X-Way Sever the Zoo?” Press-Scimitar, June 24.

1965 Bennett, William. “Scientists Ok,” Commercial Appeal, July 24.

Brown, Charles A. “Green Light,” Press-Scimitar, July 31.

Flynn, Brown Alan. “Cost Doubles for Expressways,” Press-Scimitar, August 7.

1966 Edmundson, Charles. “Homeowners Hang in Doubt,” Commercial Appeal, October 2.

1967 Bennett, William. “Interstate 40 Through Park Called, ‘Final,’” Commercial Appeal, February 4.

Brown, Charles A. “Millions Go into X-Way Route to Park,” Press-Scimitar, December 6.

“Legislators Write Bill to Bar I-40 From Park,” Commercial Appeal, March 10.

“The Overton Park Issue Again,” Press-Scimitar, December 7.

“Park Freeway Gets City’s Ok,” Commercial Appeal May 3.

1968 Adams, Null. “Park X-Way Gets Final O.K.,” Press-Scimitar. April 19.

Brown, Charles A. “Possible Council X-Way Route Once Rejected,” Press-Scimitar. March 27.

92 “City Council Must Act,” Press-Scimitar. March 16.

Covington, Jimmie. Council Opposes Overton Routing,” Commercial Appeal, March 6.

Crawford, Carl. “I-40 Through Overton, Commercial Appeal, February 16.

------. Park Route Likely to Stand,” Commercial Appeal, February 16.

Editorial, Press-Scimitar, March 7.

Kellett, Robert. “Overton Park Route Cleared by City Council,” Commercial Appeal, April 5.

Lentz, Richard. “Homeowners Stew Over 1-40 Path Uncertainties,’ Commercial Appeal March 17.

Riker, Jefferson. “Expressway Case Gets Last ‘Ride!’” Commercial Appeal, February 15.

“X-Way Bulldozers Bite Pathway through Park,’ Press-Scimitar, August 12.

1969 Covington, Jimmie. “Volpe Now Says Design Only in Overton Park Route Case,” Commercial Appeal, October 14.

“Park Route: Whose Decision?” Commercial Appeal, February 11.

Porteous, Clark. “Foes Attack X-Way Route Once Again,” Press-Scimitar. May 19.

“State Holding Upon Park X-Way,” Commercial Appeal. January 30.

Topp, Edward L. “Memphis Expressway Moving Ahead Rapidly,” Press-Scimitar. May 23.

“U. S. Official Blocks Park X-Way, Loeb Says,” Press-Scimitar, September 30.

1970 “Bids on Park Expressway Scheduled to be Withdrawn,” Commercial Appeal, October 13.

Black, Kay Pittman. “Conservation Groups Tell Why They Joined X-Way Fight,” Press-Scimitar, December 3.

Chisum, James. “Park Route Ok’d,” Commercial Appeal, October 31.

Cunningham, Morris. “State-Federal Tactics Revised in I-40 Battle,” Commercial Appeal, December 30.

Green, William. “State Cleared on Park Route,” Commercial Appeal, March 31.

93 “I-40 Project Nears Start,” Commercial Appeal, November 6.

“Overton Route Delayed Again,” Commercial Appeal, April 4.

“Overton Park Tunnel Called Risky,” Commercial Appeal. February 20.

“Park Area Residents Oppose Moving Expressway Route,” Press-Scimitar, December 18.

“Park Expressway Gets Green Light,” Commercial Appeal, February 21.

Porteous, Clark. “Local Lawyers Disagree with Griswold Stand,” Press-Scimitar, December 19.

Riker, Jefferson. “Fans of Park May Challenge 1-40 Decision,” Commercial Appeal, September 30.

Stillwell, Lee. “Briefs Cite Reasons for Park Route,” Press-Scimitar. November 24.

------. “High Court to Rule on Park X-Way,” Press-Scimitar, December 8.

------. “State Says It Could Build Freeway Without U. S. Aid,” Press-Scimitar, December 4.

------. “X-Way Debate in High Court,” Press-Scimitar. December 7.

Topp, Edwin L. “State Lawyer Charges Park X-Way About Face,” Press-Scimitar. December 18.

“X-Way Case to High Court,” Press-Scimitar, November 21.

1971 BeVier, Thomas. “The White Knights and Overton Park,” Commercial Appeal, September 16.

Black, Kay Pittman. “Ex-Official Quoted,” Press-Scimitar, October 12.

------. “Engineer Testifies,” Press-Scimitar, October 8.

------. “Pro X-Way Groups,” Press-Scimitar. July 31.

------. “Railroad Right of Way too Costly,” Press-Scimitar, October 5.

------. “Witness Says U. S. Rejected X-Way Tunnel on Cost Basis,” Press-Scimitar, October 9.

------. and Jones, Tom. “Engineer Hits X-Way Tunnel,” Press-Scimitar, October 21.

------. “Judge Proposes Injunction on Audubon X-Way,” Press-Scimitar, October 19.

------. “Objectors Didn’t Prove Prudent Alternative Route,” Press-Scimitar, November 5.

94 ------. “State, U. S. Steal Stage in Park X-Way Hassle,” Press-Scimitar, October 7.

“Chance of Speedy Review,” Press-Scimitar, January 5.

“Councilmen Disagree on I-40 Park Decision,” Commercial Appeal. January 19.

Cunningham, Morris. “Supreme Court Orders Full Review,” Commercial Appeal, March 3.

“Ecology Appeal in Park Defense is Sidetracked,” Commercial Appeal, August 24.

“I-40 Plaintiffs Awarded One New Court,” Commercial Appeal. September 28.

“‘Less Damaging’ Route Was Discarded, Attorneys Argue,” Commercial Appeal, September 28.

Lollar, Michael. “Appeals Court Rejects Park Route Foes Efforts,”Commercial Appeal, September 30.

------. “Lewis Says He Believes 1-40 Design Will Minimize Overton Park Harm,” Commercial Appeal, October 29.

------. “Park Route Foes Shun Convenience,” Commercial Appeal, October 19. -

------. “Planning Expert Offers Alternate Park Routes,”Commercial Appeal, October 1.

------. Pollard Defends Choosing Park Route,” Commercial Appeal, October 16.

------. “Secret Survey Revealed in Park Case,” Commercial Appeal, October 2.

“Overton Park Expressway,” Press-Scimitar, September 21.

“Park Brief Asks Voipe Decision,” Commercial Appeal, November 16.

“State Cites Cost of Park Tunnel,” Press-Scimitar, January 4.

Wicker, Tom. “The Highway Juggernaut,” New York Times. March 4.

1972 Black, Kay Pittman. “Environmental Act Believed Applicable,” Press-Scimitar, January 6.

------. “Hearing on X-Way Being Transcribed,” Press-Scimitar, September 15.

------. “Overton X-Way Case,” Press-Scimitar, January 5.

------. “X-Way Record Photostats are Taken to Washington,”Press-Scimitar, February 17.

95 ------. and Vaughan, Johnnie. “Heated Arguments Erupt at Expressway Hearing,” Press-Scimitar, September 14.

“Council Ok’s Park X-Way Once Again,” Press-Scimitar. September 13.

Cunningham, Morris. “Volpe’s Departure Clouds Park Expressway’s Future,” Commercial Appeal, December 9.

------. “Volpe Still May Determine Fate of Overton Park Case,” Commercial Appeal, December 15.

“Daniels Will Offer Resolution on Park,” Commercial Appeal, December 19.

“Hearing Started Today on I-40 Ramp Near Park,” Commercial Appeal, August 3.

“Judge Awards $3,237 for X-Way Court Costs,” Press-Scimitar, April 19.

“Kiwanians Back Overton X-Way,” Commercial Appeal, July 8.

Lollar, Michael. “Hearing Eyed on Park Route,” Commercial Appeal, June 8.

“Medical Council Endorses Overton Route,” Press-Scimitar, September 12.

“Noise, Pollution of Park Freeway Ruled Acceptable,” Press-Scimitar, August 4.

“Overton Case Called ‘Model* by Kuykendall,” Commercial Appeal, August 31.

“Overton X-Way Gains Additional Support,” Press-Scimitar. August 25.

“Park Route Still Best,” Commercial Appeal, September 10.

“Razing Urged of Buildings,” Commercial Appeal, November 1.

Riker, Jefferson. “New I-40 Hearing Order Restarts ‘Overton Park’s Merry-Go-Round,’” Commercial Appeal. March 5.

Stillwell, Lee. “Federal Study Backs Overton Park X-Way,” Press-Scimitar. August 3.

“Two Groups Back Park X-Way,” Press-Scimitar. September 15.

“Volpe Decides on Fresh Start,” Commercial Appeal. January 25.

“Volpe Vows Effort at Park Ruling,” Commercial Appeal, December 22. 1973

96 Adams, Null and Vaughan, Johnnie. “Dunn Says Overton Case ‘Now in My Lap,’” Press-Scimitar, August 29.

Bennett, William. “Stunned State Officials Are Groping for Next Turn on X-Way Maze,” Commercial Appeal, January 20.

Black, Kay Pittman. “State Petitions for U. S. Ruling in X-Way Case,” Press-Scimitar» February 2.

------. and Vaughan, Johnnie. “X-Way Team Hunting for Loopholes,” Press-Scimitar, January 29.

Chaistain, Wayne. “Another X-Way Route Fight Looms,” Press-Scimitar. January 23.

Cunningham, Morris. “Volpe Ruling Expected on Park Route,” Commercial Appeal, January 13.

------. “Volpe Spurns Current Proposal for Freeway through Park,” Commercial Appeal, January 19.

“I-40 Measure Dies in Senate After Protests,” Commercial Appeal, January 12.

“Judge Ok’s New Stay in X-Way Case,” Press-Scimitar, June 4.

“Jurist Leans Toward Remand in Park I-40 Case,” Commercial Appeal, March 25.

Lollar, Michael. “Brinegar Asks Ruling in I-40 Case,” Commercial Appeal, March 2 7.

______. “Judge Orders Brinegar to Decide on I-40,” Commercial Appeal, April 20.

______. “State Is Accused of Evading Law on X-Way,” Commercial Appeal, February 13.

______. “Turley Steps Out of Overton Appeal,” Commercial Appeal, May 30.

______. “Volpe Erred, State Contends,” Commercial Appeal, February 2.

“New I-40 Decision Protested,” Commercial Appeal, April 10.

“New Ramp Opened,” Press-Scimitar, February 12.

“Overton X-Way Backed by 85%,” Press-Scimitar, June 1.

“Remand Appeal Is Requested in Park Case,” Commercial Appeal, May 15.

“Resolution to Block Route Through Park Ok’d in House,” Commercial Appeal. January 11.

Stillwell, Lee. “New Highway Chief Favors Park Route for X-Way,”Press-Scimitar, June 16.

97 “U. S. Attorney Opposes State X-Way Move,” Press-Scimitar, March 10.

Wyngaard, Tim. “Political Approach Adopted by Advocates of Expressway,” Press-Scimitar, May 10.

1978 Cunningham, Morris. “I-40 Issue May Revive If Adams Should Quit,” Commercial Appeal, July 18.

“Expressway,” Commercial Appeal. November 1.

“All That Glitters,” Commercial Appeal, November 3.

1979 “Court Action Studied on Tunnel Decision,” Commercial Appeal, March 6.

“I-40 Tunnel Funds,” Commercial Appeal, August 2.

MOAT and Overton Park Shell

“Future of MOAT Looks Dark,” Commercial Appeal, January 12, 1952.

Martin, Paul. “MOAT Rings Down ‘51 Curtain to Strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’” Commercial Appeal, August 19, 1951.

“Memphis’ First Outdoor Show,” Press-Scimitar, July 20, 1938.

“Summer Shows to be in Tent—Not in Shell,” Press-Scimitar, April 5, 1951.

Overton Park and Zoo

“Admission Fees,” Commercial Appeal, May 8, 1968, and June 17, 1970; Press-Scimitar, January 8, 1971, and December 7, 1973.

“Formal Dedication of WPA Project,” Commercial Appeal. September 13, 1938.

“History of Zoo,” Commercial Appeal. May 1, 1938.

“Zoo Publicity,” Commercial Appeal, June 8, 1937; Press-Scimitar. June 16, 1937.

98 People

Awsumb, George. Press-Scimitar. November 24, 1959; Walter Stewart, Commercial Appeal, January 29, 1934; November 25, 1959.

Bailey, Edgar 0. Commercial Appeal. January 19, 1962.

Carruthers, A. B. Commercial Appeal, February 12, 1931.

Chapman, W. P. Commercial Appeal October 20, 1931.

Chapman, W. P., Mrs. Commercial Appeal, December 4, 1931.

Furbringer. Max. Norman Rosengarten, Press-Scimitar, August 17, 1935; Commercial Appeal, January 17 and 18, 1957.

Galloway, Robert. “Galloway Park,” Commercial Appeal, July 18, 1923.

Obituary, Commercial Appeal. January 12, 1918; Press-Scimitar. January 13, 1918.

Hines, Mrs. Laura Scherer. Press-Scimitar, August 30, 1961.

Humes, W. Y. C. Commercial Appeal, July 2, 1966.

Lake, Henry. “Harding-Lake Company, Commercial Appeal, July 22, 1923.

“Lake Place,” Night Desk, Commercial Appeal, December 29, 1949.

Obituary, Commercial Appeal, October 10, 1950. Mosby Family. Fleece, Clarence Mosby. Press-Scimitar, December 12, 1940. Mosby, John L. Commercial Appeal, January 27, 1940.

Mosby, John Louis (Toto), Jr. Press-Scimitar, July 26, 1948.

Mosby, Martha Richards. Commercial Appeal, January 26, 1936.

Rudisill, June Howell Haywood. Commercial Appeal, March 17, 1929; June 4, 1965. Press-Scimitar, February 7, 1938; June 4, 1965.

Tann, Georgia. Anderson, Alfred, Press-Scimitar, September 15, 1950.

Gilkey, Ada, Press-Scimitar, July 2, 1935; June 4, 1937; April 13, 1943.

99 Moore, Ellls, Commercial Appeal September 18, 1950.

Porteous, Clark, Press-Scimitar. October 17, 1950; January 22, 1954. Press-Scimitar, January 22 and 23, 1954.

Miscellaneous

“A-Zone Ban Lifted in War Emergency,” Commercial Appeal, May 22, 1943.

Cavett, William G. “City Must Keep Faith,” Press-Scimitar, July 17, 1953.

Coppock, Paul. “Overton Park’s Sister Landmark,” Commercial Appeal, November 6, 1979.

“CPOP,” Commercial Appeal, September 11, 1971.

“Evergreen Presbyterian,” Commercial Appeal, January 1, 1940.

“1597 North Parkway,” Memphis Residences, Press-Scimitar, November 19, 1940.

“Gayoso Group Takes Control of Parkview,” Commercial Appeal. July 8, 1941.

“Littered Area is Reminder of Yesteryear,” Press-Scimitar, May 1, 1967.

“Londoner Buys Memphis Home,” Commercial Appeal, July 18, 1937.

“Shamrock Cottage, 1635 North Parkway, Mrs. Cawthom,” Press-Scimitar, March 11, 1937.

e. Maps

Williamson, M. T. Map of Memphis and Vicinity with River Front and Rail Road Connections, 1887, 4th ed.

f. Plats

Mapping and Property, Public Works, City of Memphis:

Baker, J. M. Tract. Survey of Part of, September, 1922. Basic Block Book N 2.

Carruthers, A. B. Subdivision of South Half of Lot 6 of the Race Tract, November, 1904. Plat Book 4, 88-89.

Chapman, W. P. Woodland Knoll Subdivision, Lot 4, Lea and Overton Subdivision of Old Raleigh Road Property, November 7, 1901. Plat Book, 4, 2.

100 Faxon, F. W. & Co. Evergreen Subdivision. Special Plat Book N 2. Galloway, Robert. Plat of Block “M” and northern half of Block “N,” Robert Galloway’s Evergreen Subdivision. Special Plat Book N 2.

g. Surveys

Historic Structures Group Surveys by Mid-Memphis Improvement Association

Beard Street, 1977-1978.

Forrest Street, 1977-78. Surveyors Sharon Harris and Robert K. Williams.

Kenilworth Street, 1977-78.

Lawrence Street, 1977-78.

North Parkway, 1977-78. Surveyor Mara Jones.

Overton Park Avenue, 1977-78. Surveyor Jeanne Morgan.

Stonewall Place, 1977-78. Surveyor Agnes Bowe.

3. Interviews

Taped Interviews deposited in Memphis Room, History Department, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

Billingsley, Gene. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 1, 1979.

Blanchard, Paul. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 1, 1979.

Bowe, Agnes. Untaped Interviews by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, April-December, 1979.

Canale, John Ford. Taped Interview by Bena Gates a nd Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 21, 1979.

Carruthers, Louis. Untranscribed Interview by Bena Cates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, July 13, 1979.

Collins, Jane Drake. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 26, 1979.

Drake, Charles F. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 26, 1979.

Duke, Chellis. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 19, 1979.

101 Early, Annah Lee. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 24, 1979.

Ensminger, Georgianna Awsumb. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, July 13, 1979.

Galbreath, William D. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 12, 1979.

Grehan, Shirley. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, September 13, 1979.

Heard, Milbrey. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, July 12, 1979.

Hilliard, David M. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, Trinity Methodist Church, June 8, 1979.

Hjort, Mike. Untaped Interview with Pat Faudree, Memphis Park Commission, November 12, 1979.

Holt, Grace Rudisill. Taped Interview by Bena Gates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, June 22, 1979.

Hunter, Mrs. Robert H. Untaped Interview by Pat Fa udree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, August 30, 1979.

Jemison, Peggy. Untaped Conversations with Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April-December, 1979.

Johnson, Frances. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 11, 1979.

Johnson, Margaret. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 11, 1979.

Johnston, Kay (Mrs. Wallace). Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, M emphis, August, 1979.

Jones, Jameson. Taped Interview by Bena Gates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, June 28, 1979.

Jones, Mara (Mrs. Jerry). Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 3, 1979; several untaped conversations. Fall, 1979.

Kelly, Mrs. Ernest T. Untaped Interview by Bena Gates, Memphis, June 29, 1979.

Marmon, Jeff. Untaped Interview by Bena Gates and Bette Tilly, Memph is, July 2, 1979.

Marmon, Jeff, Jr. Taped Interview by Bena Gates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, June 20, 1979.

McCorkle, Elinor W. Taped Interview by Peggy Jemison and Ray Ann Kremer, July, 1979.

Perkins, Jessie Latham. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree, Peggy Jemison, and Bette Tilly, Memphis, March 28, 1979.

102 Portman, Kay, President of MMIA. Taped Interview by Bena Gates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, May 24, 1979; several untaped conversations by Pat Faudree, June-December, 1979.

Robinson, Mac. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, December 2, 1979.

Richmond, Eleanor. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, May 11, 1979.

Rosenstein, Frances. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 12, 1979.

Schuyler, Bob. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis Park Commission, November 13, 1979.

Seessel, Sam. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 6, 1979.

Selden, Mrs. S. T., Jr. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 30, 1979.

Shewmaker, Ann. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, September 13, 1979.

Shewmaker, M ary. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, September 13, 1979.

Simms, Sargent. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Overton Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, Memphis, October, 1979.

Sparks, Camille. Taped Interview by Bena Cates and Pat Faudree, Memphis, June 5, 1979.

Stalm, Mary. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, St. Peter Home for Children, Memphis, September 5, 1979.

Starr, C onnie (Mrs. James). Taped Interview by Bena Cates and Bette Tilly, Memphis, June 1, 1979.

Sullivan, Geraldine. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, August 30, 1979.

Tarver, Ann Marie. Untaped Interview by Pat Faudree, Memphis, November 11, 1979.

Walker, Chalmers. Untaped Interview by Ray Ann Kremer, Memphis, November 23, 1979.

Williams, Robert K. Untaped Interview by Pat Fau dree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, Fall, 1979.

Williams, Sue (Mrs. Robert K.). Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 17, 1979.

Wingfield, Mrs. Frank. Untaped Interview by Bena Gates, Memphis, June 27, 1979.

Wood, Jim. Taped Interview by Pat Faudree and Bette Tilly, Memphis, April 17, 1979.

103 4. Other

Plaque. Entrance Hall, St. Peter Home for Children Administration Building.

B. SECONDARY SOURCES

1. Manuscript

Fauntleroy, Thomas, comp. “A Chronological Index to Memphis Newspapers, 1834-1924.” 2 vols. n.p., n.d.

Gates, Mrs. W. B. “Memphis Park System.” Read before the Memphis Historical Society, May 5, 1920.

Ginn, Richard Henry. “Interstate 40 Through Owerton Park: A Case Study of Location Decision Making.” MS Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1970.

Hair, Pat. “General History of Overton Park.” Type d manuscript, 1978, Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

Hunter, Mrs. Robert B., comp. “Descendants of Tillman P. Bettis.” Typescript in Memphis Room, Memphis and Shelby County Public Library.

2. Printed

Bartholomew, Harland and Associates. A Comprehensive City Plan of Memphis. Tennessee. St. Louis: Harland Bartholomew, 1924.

______. A Report Upon Interstate Highway Routes in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. St. Louis: Harland Bartholomew, 1955.

Blossoming of the Century Plant: Memphis Centennial Celebration 1819-1919. n.p., n.d.

Capers, Gerald M. The Biography of a River Town-Memphis: Its Heroic Age. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1939.

Commercial Appeal. Southern Prosperity Edition, December 30, 1913.

Coppock, Paul. The Commerce Title Record, n.p.: Commerce Title Guaranty Co., 1961.

Evergreen Presbyterian Church. Evergreen Presbyterian Church, 1910-1960: Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee. n.p., n.d.

Furbringer, Max. Domestic Architecture. Memphis: Jones & Furbringer, 1916.

Goodspeed’s History of Shelby County, Tennessee. Nashville: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1887.

104 Keating, J. M., and Vedder, 0. F. History of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Pioneer Citizens. 2 vols. Syracuse, N. Y.: D. Mason & Co., 1888.

McFarland, L. B. Memoirs and Addresses, n.p., n.d.

Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Memphis: The City of Opportunity, n.p., n.d.

Memphis Trades and Labor Council. Tri-State Labor Day Souvenir, 1916, n.p., n.d.

Miller, William G. Memphis During the Progressive Era 1900-1917. Memphis: Memphis State University, 1957.

Mooney, C. P. J. The Mid-South and Its Builders. Memphis: Mid-South Biographical and Historical Association, 1920.

National Cyclopedia of Amercian Biography, 1929. S. v. “George E. Kessler.”

Southern Biographical Association. Men of the South: A Work for the Newspaper Reference Library. New Orleans: James 0. Jones Co., 1922.

Souvenir View Booklet Memphis Zoological Garden. Memphis: C. A. Davis Printing Company, 1937.

Stemberg, Irma 0. Overton Park Is Your Park, Memphis! Memphis; Tri-State Press, 1971.

Tennessee Historical Records Survey. Directory of Churches, Missions and Religious Institutions of Tennessee. No. 79. Shelby County (Memphis). Nashville: Historical Records Survey, 1941.

Tilly, B. B. Rozelle-Annesdale: A Community with a Past—and a Future? Memphis: MIFA, 1978.

Trinity United Methodist Church. A History of Trinity United Methodist Church 1915-1975. n.p., n.d.

United Labor Journal. Souvenir Industrial Edition, 1900. n.p., n.d.

Young, J. P. Standard History of Memphis, Tennessee. Knoxville: H. W. Crews & Co., 1912.

3. Articles

Chamberlain, W. Mallory. “Zoological Society Takes Definite Shape.” Memphis Chamber of Commerce Journal, VI (April, 1923), 12-13.

Coppock, Paul. “History in Memphis Street Names.” West Tennessee Historical Society Papers. XI (1957), 93-111.

Galloway, Robert. “Parks and Playgrounds.” Civic Affairs, I (October 31, 1908), 3.

105 106 THE GALLOWAY TOUCH

107 108 The Evergreen Story Continues: 1980-2002

The Corridor and Evergreen

For the Evergreen neighborhood west of Overton Park improvement continued to be a priority even though The Corridor remained an unresolved problem. The fate of the right-of-way cleared by the State of Tennessee in anticipation of completing the east-west leg of I-40 had not been determined. For years, the swath of empty land stood mai nly untended, an eyesore and also a danger for the communi- ty. “In 1980 a symbol of our neighborhood was concrete steps leading up to an empty, sometimes weed-filled lot (the home long since demolished),” wrote Irma Merrill, former president of the neigh- borhood association.1

The potential for further deterioration loomed large. However, the neighborhood association fostered unity of spirit and action. Organized in 1969, the Mid-Memphis Improvement Association had evolved into the Mid-Memphis Neighborhood Association aong with continuing efforts to stabilize and improve the community. Active members sought to involve more of the neighborhood. Long-time resi- dents Julia Allen and Irma Merrill joined newcomer Janis Foster in developing the “New Neighbor Packet.” Since many were hesitant to take such a responsible position as “Block Captain,” they decided to try “New Neighbor Greeter.” Irma and Julia knew almost everyone on every street. They would call out names along a street, decide on someone to call and ask him or her to hand out packets on that one block. Since residents usually tried to meet newcomers (not very many in the early years), this was not an imposition. Instead of a plat e of cookies, the Greeter would take a New Neighbor Packet. Then the Greeter would be asked to hand out flyers for Christmas caroling or other timely informa- tion; gradually the position evolved into Block Captain, still the primary means of communication in 2002.2

From such modest steps, the Mid-Memphis Neighborhood Association made giant strides in promot- ing the Evergreen neighborhood. In 1979, t he Association successfully had the area down-zoned to single-family residential, which reflected the primary status of Evergreen. Non-conforming buildings were not affected, but could not be rebuilt as duplexes or multi-family buildings.3

Next, the Association undertook the massive job of nominating Evergreen for the National Register of Historic Places. President Rose Wallace had able and willing worke rs. The project required an invento- ry of every building–1400 in all–a survey requiring the history as well as the description of each. Janis Foster, young wife and mother newly arrived from Texas to midtown Memphis, jumped enthusiastically

109 into preservation. Overseeing the monumental effort, she recruited volunteers from the MMNA and students of Dr. Marius Carriere, a Christian Brothers University (then College) professor, who complet- ed the architectural survey. Dr. Barbara Frankle researched and compiled the historical information. Evergreen asked for recognition under these criteria:

• Important Collection of architectural styles • Significance to general residential development of Memphis • Association with locally prominent citizens during the early 20th century

The Memphis Landmarks Commission approved the application and forwarded it to the Tennessee National Register Review Board. After approval in Nashville, the nomination went to the National Park Service for consideration. In January 1985, Evergreen achieved recogniti on as a National Register Historic District. The designation helped to stabilize the neighborhood and foster a sense of communi- ty. It also became a selling point, with buyers knowing the value of their home would continue to increase. The Mid-Memphis Neighborhood Association changed its name in 1985 and is now called the Evergreen Historic District Association.4

This 53 square block area is bounded by North Parkway on the north, East Parkway on the east, Poplar and Court on the south, and Watkins on the west. Within the District is the Galloway Mansion and the Stonewall Historic District both previously awarded a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Overton Park, on the eastern edge, is also on the National Register of Historic Places along with Rhodes College (formerly Southwest ern at Memphis) on the northern boundary. In addition, the Parkway System –North Parkway, East Parkway and South Parkway—is on the National Register of Historic Places.5

Reflecting architecture popular in suburbs during the first three decades of the 20th century, Evergreen homes and buildings have retained their character. Predominant styles are Bungalow and Four-square, but also found are Beaux Arts, Georgian Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Mediterranean. There are small frame one-story cottages and Tudor Revival apartment complexes, as well as the Beaux Arts Snowden School built in 1910, and the Late Gothic design of Trinity United Methodist Church, built in 1925. The landscaping adds to the character of the neighborhood. Along the tree-lined streets, the large lots with u niform setbacks also contain mature trees and greenery. The name Evergreen seems especially suitable for this area.6

The typical bungalow is a 1 1/2–story brick building with a low-pitched gable roof and wide eaves. The shed-roofed dormers and the deep porch with battered piers of stone, wood or brick are charac- teristics also. The typical Four-square is simple in design but the details may be Medit erranean, Tudor Revival or Colonial Revival. Although brick, stucco and stone are dominant, there is also variety in design as well as ornamentation and materials. Leaded or stained glass windows, decorative roofing, transoms and skylights and pediment entryways illustrate the craftsmanship of the past.7

110 Withdrawal of I-40 East-West Leg and the Midtown Corridor

However, the broad swath of bare land known as The Corridor still cut a raw path through the heart of Evergreen. The planned east-west leg of Interstate 40 through Overton Park and the Evergreen neighborhood due west of the park had been stalled. After a battle through the courts, the state of Tennessee had been ordered to review the plan and make sure that all possible alternatives had been considered before deciding to go through Overton Park. Although the Supreme Court decision in 1971 was a tremendous victory for the Citizens to Preserve Overton Park and the Evergreen neighbor- hood, the end result of the war was an unknown. The State had continued to construct the road from the western edge of Tennessee at the Mississippi River. I-40 stopped at the midtown interchange near Bellevue, but bridges and ramps had been completed in preparation for the extension of the roadway through The Corridor. Starting from the eastern end near White Station Road and Summer Avenue, almost four miles of the planned road going west had been completed by 1973. It ended at Broad Street, leaving a corridor of cleared right-of-way up to Overton Park. For nearly ten more years, the State of Tennessee submitted various plans to the federal government intended to complete the miss- ing segment–along the planned route through the Park and the Evergreen Neighborhood–with alterna- tive construction methods from cut and cover or slurry walls or tunnels. Meanwhile, the federal gov- ernment hesitated, disputed and delayed.8

Most local proponents of the route had already concluded that the fight was a lost cause and had begun to consider alternatives. By the end of 1979, officials of the State of Tennessee also realized that the interstate would not go through Overton Park. Memphis and Shelby County officials had by then decided to abandon any alternative interstate options whether south of Overton Park through residential property or north on the old L & N railroad track. Instead, they wanted to have the east-west portion removed from the interstate system. In 1980 Mayor Wyeth Chandler wrote Governor Lamar Alexander stat- ing the local position. The City Council, the Shelby County Mayor, the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization, Future Memphis, the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mid-Memphis Neighborhood Association along with other communi- ty associations, and many citizens approved of the withdrawal.9

Withdrawal from the interstate route would free the money earmarked for that project. By law, the 85% contributed by the federal government reverted to the state. However, president-elect Ronald Reagan had

Photo courtesy of Memphis/Shelby County Public Library promised to stop the Interstate Substitution Fund sys- Mayor Wyeth Chandler wrote Governor Lamar tem considering it a waste of taxpayer money. If he Alexander stating the local position to aban- succeeded in convincing Congre ss to repeal the cur- don any alternative interstate options.

111 rent law, unused interstate monies would remain with the federal government. For metropolitan Memphis to benefit from the hundreds of millions of dollars allotted for the east-west leg through the city required immediate action.10

At Mayor Chandler’s request, Governor Lamar Alexander agreed to formally submit the request. On January 16, 1981, the federal Department of Transportation removed 7.6 mile s of the planned east-west segment of Interstate 40 from the federal interstate system. The property withdrawn ran from the I-40/I-240 intersection (near Bellevue) on the west, to the I-40/I-240 intersection on the east (near Summer Avenue & White Station Road) including 3.8 miles of finished road and 3.8 miles of cleared right-of-way. “After more then 20 years, the Overton Park controversy is over, ” said Governor Alexander in a press release. He went on to declare that the interstate would not go through the park.11

The local route continued the nationwide interstate system planned to go across the United States. Interstate 40 ran from east Tennessee through middle and on through the western portion of the state almost to the Mississippi River. But the withdrawal left a gap of 7.6 miles in Int erstate 40 and the miss- ing miles needed replacement. The solution was to rename the northern portion of the I-240 beltway. The original design for the interstate showed a circumferential beltway around the city as well as a north-south and an east-west leg through the city. The circumferential beltway is I-240 on the south- ern half and I-40 on the northern half. The north loop is now officiall y I-40, ensuring that there is no gap in the interstate system through Tennessee.12

The completed eastern part ended at Broad Street. After removal from the interstate system, it became the property of the City of Memphis. The City Council named this spur off the I-40/I-240 intersection Sam Cooper Boulevard, honoring the philanthropist and millionaire cofounder of Humko Chemical. Although no longer a part of the Interstate 40 system, the fate of The Corridor cleared on either side of the Park had not been determined. The cleared right-of-way cut through the Evergreen neighbor- hood to Overton Park and east of the park to Broad Street.13

Adding the 15% contribution from the state, the Interstate Substitution monies totaled about $330,000,000 to be used for transportation projects. Although the mo ney reverted to the state, it was to be spent locally as a substitute for the deleted segment or related transportation needs. The city then began working up proposals to resolve traffic problems in the mid-town transportation corridor. Officially committed to preserving Overton Park, the city now also promised to retain North Parkway– at one time proposed as an alternate route to avoid going through the park. First on the list was to extend a freeway-like road from Broad Street to East Parkway. Also suggested: redo the midtown inter- change and add connector roads to Cleveland, Claybrook or Evergreen. The first public meeting on the Mid-Town Transportation Corridor met February 17, 1981, at Snowden School.14

The City determined to hold timely public hearings on proposals developed by the Allen & Hoshall Engineering firm. Detailed study of possible air and noise pollution increase would be considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. In fact, the planners and engineers spent years consider- ing proposals for the Mid-Town Transportation Corridor before determining the best possible alterna- tives. The final approval for the extension of Sam Cooper Boulevard and the revision of the midtown interchange (I-40/I-240) came after the Interstate Substitution Funds had been spent.15

112 While the midtown corridor projects continued to be reviewed, Memphis and Shelby County deter- mined appropriate uses for some of the money. The Metropolitan Urban Area Transportation Study, under the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development, had developed a master plan for transportation. Among the transportation projects built with the Interstate Substitution funds are:

Main Street Trolley & Riverfront Loop, $33,102, 376 Nonconnah Parkway, Interstate 240 South to U.S. 72, $86,156,366 Jackson Avenue/Austin Peay, Interstate 40 to Raleigh-Millington, $37,861,387 Kirby/Whitten, U.S. 64 to Macon, $32, 163, 548 Germantown Road/Parkway, Farmington to U. S. 64, $30,862,135 I-240 South, Airways to Summer, $30,193,974 6 Roads: Winchester, Millbranch, Shelby Drive, Quince, Raleigh-Frayser, Austin Peay, $21,430,286 Millbranch, Brooks to I-240, $12,264,208 Auction Avenue Bridge, Front to Mud Island, $11,101,433 Hickory Hill, Winchester to Holmes, $9,744,833 South Third, Shelby Drive to Interstate 55, $7,620,453 Airways, Holmes to State Line, $2,879,871 Egypt Central, Ridgemont to Raleigh-Millington, $1,681,998 New Ramps linking I-40 & Riverside Drive downtown, $727,04816

The approved plan to facilitate the flow of traffic through midtown is finally a reality. Construction of the eastern segment of the Midtown Corridor (Binghamton) is almost complete. It is designed to extend Sam Cooper Boulevard from Holmes to East Parkway. The route follows the abandoned I-40 right-of-way east of Overton Park. The State of Tennessee still owns this property and is in charge of the construction. Upon completion, it will become the property of the city of Memphis with the city responsible for maintenance of the road and enforcement of the speed limit. The $13.5 million dollar 3-year project is a grade level design with three lanes in each direction. The new boulevard is similar to the Parkways. An overpass above the railroad tracks as well as Carpenter and Collins Streets elimi- nates poten tial traffic delays and enhances safety. The speed limit is lowered from 55 mph on the for- mer interstate portion down to 40 mph on the extension. Landscaping is planned using congregated plantings of trees at set intervals with concentrations near the Parkway end. Broad Street now ends at Hollywood, alternate routes being either Summer Avenue or Sam Cooper Boulevard. The boulevard joins East Parkway at the point where Broad used to meet East Parkway. The Federal Surface Transportation Fund paid 80% of the cost with the City of Memphis supplying the remaining 20%.17

The proposal for transportation improvements west of the park excluded the cleared right-of-way through the Evergreen neighborhood. Instead the plan concentrated on improving the existing road- way. The dangerous I-40/I-240 int ersection and the Jackson Interchange are scheduled for a major revision. Bridges and ramps to nowhere built long ago for the planned east/west segment will be demolished. The I-40/I-240 intersection has been redesigned to improve the exit with 2 lanes each

113 Sam Cooper Extension from Hollywood to East Parkway, a final resolution for the Midtown Corridor dilem- ma. Courtesy of Allen & Hoshall way and a gentle curve to replace the steep incline of the exit to the east. I-40 north will be 10 through lanes. It is permanent to the Jackson interchange and temporary to Vollentine. The Jackson interchange has also been redesigned. Once this portion has been completed, the plan is to continue the improvements beyond Vollintine if funded. Construction is set to begin early in 2003. The Tennes see Department of Transportation has charge of both of these projects.18 Photo by Fred Asbury Photo by Fred I-40/I-240 bridges and ramps to nowhere built long ago for the planned east/west segment will be demolished.

114 Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment

The unknown equation in the stability of Evergreen had been The Corridor, 56 acres of right-of-way land cleared through the neighborhood going west from Overton Park to Claybrook Street. The Evergreen Historic District Association (EHDA) wanted to ensure an acceptable use of the vacant property. Beginning in 1983, officers of the EHDA started attending the “Lunch with the Mayor” events. To foster neighborhood interest, the new Mayor Richard C. ‘Dick’ Hackett held regularly sched- uled luncheons with members of neighborhoods. Janis Foster said they would call to schedule a lunch and use that forum to promote redevelopment of The Corridor.19

Another group also had a strong interest in the out- come. With The Corridor withdrawn from the federal interstate system, the displaced homeowners quickly formed an organization called Former Interstate Landowners Organization (FILO) and lobbied state legislators to return their former property. Tennessee State Representative Pam Gaia sponsored a bill allow- ing these owners first option to buy back their lot or partial lot. As originally proposed, the former owners would buy back the land at the sale price the state p aid in 1969/1970. But the Pam Gaia Law, as it was called, authorized resale at current fair market values to former owners or their heirs. However, it would be almost ten more years before the former home- owners had their chance. 20

The State of Tennessee had title to the property and

had not yet determined what to do with it. Since the Photo courtesy of Memphis/Shelby County Public Library state bought the land with federal money intended for Mayor Richard C. ‘Dick’ Hackett held regularly an interstate road, the federal government had to scheduled luncheons with members of a neigh- approve of any other use made of the right-of-way. borhood forum to promote redevelopment of The Corridor. Otherwise, the state could reimburse the federal gov- ernment for the 85% of the cost and then make use of the land however it chose. In 1986, as the first step in achieving a final resolution to the decades old dilemma, Mayor Hackett requested permission for the city to maintain the property. It was a danger to the neighborhood with overgrown lots, dead or dying trees, concrete foundations and steps, trash and debris. The state authorized the city to begin maintenance of the property. The Evergreen Historic District Association praised the city’s initiative in starting to resolve the problem of The Corridor.21

The State of Tennessee also announced in 1986 that the City of Memphis should get the right-of-way land within Overton Park. Accordingly, the state recommended this to the U. S. Department of Transportation. The state still planned to use the right-of-way east of the park for a road, while the fate of the remaining right-of-way west of Overton Park had not been decided. The state refused to release the property until final determination that it was not needed for transportation purposes. Then, to

115 comply with federal law, the state must prepare an acceptable plan of reuse. The state suggested appropriate public use such as a greenbelt would be compatible with federal law. Several other sug- gestions had been floated. Some builders suggested multi-family units with green spaces for recre- ation. Another plan envisioned enclave communities walled and gated. The Evergreen Historic District Association worked assiduously to promote acceptable redevelopment of The Corridor. Specifically, residents wanted compatible single-family housing to knit the neighborhood back together, to unite north and south currently segregated by the swath of vacant land.22

Irma Merrill, President of the Evergreen Historic District Association at the time, remembers flying to Nashville with Mayor Hackett, his chief aide, Paul Gurley and Cynthia Buchanan, director of the Office of Planning & Development (OPD), to speak to the Shelby County members of the Tennessee Legislature. The Memphis delegation promoted the return of The Corridor land to the city. In 1988, the city formally requested that the state declare the land surplus property. Then it could be sold to the city for resale.23

Photo by Jeffrey Jacobs Photo by Jeffrey At the same time, the Hackett administra tion Cynthia Buchanan, of the Office of Planning & created the Midtown Corridor West Development, spoke to the Shelby County Members of the Tennessee Legislature. Redevelopment Committee. The makeup of the Committee included OPD, developers, and representatives of Evergreen businesses and residents as well as officers of the EHDA. Redevelopment of this area would benefit the city as well as the neighborhood. It would add a tax base for revenue and stabilize the community.24

The first step was to encourage the Tennesse e State Legislature to resolve the question of the rights of the displaced homeowners. The City of Memphis and Evergreen wanted a speedy resolution of The Corridor. FILO, the homeowners association, insisted that heirs as well as owners have the right of first refusal. Tracking down all heirs to a piece of property could delay any construction for many years. Some members of FILO objected to fair market value price; they wanted to be given back their land or at least to pay only what the state had offered twenty years earlier. While they received $15,000 to $30,000 from the state, to rebuild would require $150,000 minimum. The state refused to initiate appraisal of the land until the lawsuits had been resolved. In 1989, the Circuit Court ruled that former owners had the right of first refusal, but heirs did not. The decision pleased the city and the Evergreen association, but embittered some of the displaced homeowners. The first advertisement appeared on April 1, 1990. More than 20 years after their forced evacuation, the former owners (and those who remained on partial lots when the state took part of their property) had 90 days to pur- chase their old property. The city would buy what remained and offer them for sale with sealed bids.25

116 In preparation for the anticipated redevelop- ment of The Corridor West, the Mayor’s Midtown Corridor Redevelopment Committee worked to have a plan ready when the state decided to return the property. The result was the Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report, A Partnership Between The City of Memphis, Richard C. Hackett, Mayor, and The Evergreen Historic District Association, Irma Merrill, President. The membership of the Committee included architects, engineers, city council members, and a representative for both Binghamton and the East Parkway Association.26

Residents, activists and business owners repre- sented their neighborhood of Evergreen. They were: Stephen L. Anderson, attorney and vice- president of Evergreen Historic District Association; Janis Foster, Memphis Landmarks Commission member and former president of EHDA; Leonard Lubin, owner of White Way Pharmacy; Irma Merrill, current president of EHDA; and Sue Reid Williams, lifelong resident of Evergreen, officer of EHDA and effective promoter of the neighborhood’s restoration. Janis Foster compared the fun, excitement and uncertainty to the charge of the Bastille. OPD prepared the report.27

This comprehensive plan included detailed provisions to promote redevelopment compatible with the Evergreen Historic District. Although the EHDA had successfully secured a down-zoning of the neigh- borhood to single-family residential including The Corridor land, the Tennessee state law affirmed that the 1968-1970 zoning regulations were to be maintained. Moreover, the law required a two-thirds vote of the City Council to change that zoning. The r eport recommended to the Council the following zon- ing: Single-family residential for all except planned commercial fronting Cleveland Street and multi- family residential along the east side of Claybrook to conform to existing usage. Also single-family attached homes were approved for the Peach-Willett area and the Galloway Mansion property on Overton Park Avenue. Wherever possible, builders were to use the existing lot configurations with existing curb cuts and utility lines while preserving trees. Some lots of an incompatible size would be changed to conform to existing lot sizes and density. For Lake Place north of Peach Avenue the report recommended a Planned Development since the lots were small and there was no access to a paved street. On north Watkins Street, and the Galloway Mansion site, planned developments were also acceptable.28

117 The report developed covenants to ensure housing compatible with the Evergreen Historic District. The State of Tennessee would run these covenants with the land being sold to the displaced owners, and the City would attach them to the remaining lots. The crucial Covenant #1 read: “New construc- tion, and the demolition, removal, or addition to buildings which now or hereafter exist on a lot shall be in compliance with the following, (if adopted by the City Council), the Evergreen Historic Conservation District, Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Plan and the Memphis Landmarks Ordinance as each may be amended from time to time in accordance with applicable law.”29

The EHDA realized that being listed on the National Register of Historic Places brought prestige but little protection for maintaining the architectural integrity of the neighborhood. To ensure that integri- ty, the association decided to seek local historic conservation status. EHDA followed a model plan developed by a Nashville neighborhood. Conservation is a less restrictive designation. In a Memphis Historic Conservation District, new buildings as well as additions, relocation, exterior alterations, and demolitions would be subject to review by the Memphis Landmarks Commission. Only the exterior of buildings and of areas visible from public rights-of-way would be included.30

The Association, assisted by attorney and EHDA official Stephen L. Anderson, drew up guidelines for architectural review by the Memphis Landmarks Commission. And in 1988 the Association applied for status as a local Historic Conservation District. Approve d by the Landmarks Commission and the Office of Planning and Development, it then went to the Land Use Control Board for review. The Mayor issued a statement that the Landmarks Commission should oversee the I-40 redevelopment. On December 7, 1988, the Land Use Control Board also recommended approval. However, when the application reached the Memphis City Council, there was a complication. S ome members of the Council had heard negative comments about the Landmarks Commission’s overuse of its authority. The Council tabled the application while it debated the role of the Landmarks Commission.31

The Memphis Landmarks Commission, established in 1975 under state enabling legislation, had a basic goal: “to designate, protect, enhance and perpetuate landmark buildings, objects, sites and distric ts.” Too much of historic Memphis had already disappeared. Partly, it was the curse of urban renewal, tear- ing down entire neighborhoods in the name of progress. Also, after World War II, the city failed to keep or follow a systematic plan. By the 1970’s, the city began to realize the need to preserve some- thing of its history as a river town.32

The original membership of the Commission consisted of 3 citizens, 1 architect, 1 engineer, 1 local his- torian and 1 attorney. The first step planned was a survey to determine what remained of the city’s heritage. In 1980, the Commission presented the survey and a preservation plan. By 1988, the Commission boasted 800 buildings under its jurisdiction as well as several historic districts. However, the city attorney decided that the Landmarks Ordi nance had to be revised to put it in compliance with the state law. Newly hired Preservation Planner Cathy Marcinko remembers the difficulties of rewriting the ordinance and seeing it through the City Council. In 1988, the Memphis City Council adopted the corrected ordinance. The Corridor ordinance provided for local historic designation and conservation. Also, the new law designated design review as a zoning-related activity using the less stringent design standards of conservation zoning. The Memphis Landmarks Commission had review authority and appeals went through the Chancery Court instead of the City Council.33

118 In November 1989, the Council adopted the Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report and approved the Evergreen application, and Evergreen became the first Historic Conservation District in the City of Memphis.

However, in 1989, the Council, mindful of complaints from developers, decided that appeals from the Commission’s decision should go to the City Council instead of to court as the 1988 ordinance provid- ed. Immediately, EHDA president Irma Merrill appealed for public support for the Landmarks Commission. Local as well as national preservation groups and neighborhood associations rallied to protest this reve rsal vote and the Council repealed the contro- versial change. But while the Jeffreyby Photo Jacobs Council had been debating the future of the Landmarks Commission, the Evergreen appli- cation for Historic Conservation District lay on the table waiting.34

Finally, the Council agreed to con- Irma Merrill and Les Frasier, both former EHDA presidents, stand sider the tabled motion. Inside under one of the I-40 overpasses that went nowhere. and outside City Hall hundreds of Evergreen residents generated enthusiasm with great excitement. In Nov ember of 1989, the Council adopted the Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report and approved the Evergreen application. Evergreen became the first Historic Conservation District in the City of Memphis. The controversy over the role of preservation and the authority of the Landmarks Commission would resurface in the 1990s and the City Council would once again try to assert authori- ty over the Commission, but for now Evergreen neighbors rejoiced in their victory.35

119 This victory for the Evergreen Historic District Association, putting the area under the jurisdiction of the Landmarks Commission, enabled residents to maintain the distinct character of their neighbor- hood. The Landmarks Commission reviews work not only in The Corridor land being redeveloped, but also in the existing portion of Evergreen. This review only covered the portion visible from the street —new construction, exterior alterations or relocations and demolitions—that is, any exterior alteration that would increase the habitable space. It did not include interior design or any non-exteri- or changes.36

The Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report included comprehensive instructions to ensure compatible infill. The most crucial covenant of the design guidelines required compliance with the Evergreen Historic Conservation District, The Corridor West Redevelopment Plan and Memphis Landmarks Ordinances. But there were other significant covenants: Trees should be preserved and there were specific suggestions for protecting them during construction; each lot was for only one sin- gle-family principal structure; construction had to begin within one year of purchase and be substan- tially co mpleted within two years; a chart set minimum requirements for structures based on lot size. Other covenants restricted commercial activity in residential areas; outlawed livestock, poultry and any other animals except domestic pets; set maximum heights for antennas and receiving devices.

The report incorporated guidelines to help homeowners and builders choose appropriate plans for building. Each lot owner had to prepare an architectural design, including plot plan, exterior details, and elevations for submission to the Landmarks Commission. The Commission would review and return the plan within 30 days. Sales and marketing strategies were also recommended in the Report. The City of Memphis would purchase any land not taken by the former owners. Since the former landowners had the right of firs t refusal, it was not known how much land would revert to the city. The impact of a large infill development on the real estate market was another unknown. For these reasons, the Report recommended a gradual sale. Rather than placing all of the property on the mar- ket at once, the City should sell smaller groups or lots one at a time.38

The City Council authorized a $2,000,000 fund to purchase the ri ght-of-way property from the state and an additional $450,000 to cover marketing expenses and additional staff for the Landmarks Commission. Any profit from the project reverted to Rameses Housing, an affordable housing project of the city, now superseded by the Memphis Community Development Partnership.

After the 90-day period, the City purchased the remaining land and began preparations for a phased sale of the lots. The first three phases from 1991 to 1993 involved residential lots. On September 9, 1991, the City of Memphis auctioned off the first 52 lots by sealed bid. Builder Jeff Curry won two lots and built the first new home in The Corridor, a four-square with a full porch and a porte cochere. The City received about $1,000,000 from this phase.39

In 1991, Janis Foster, former president of EHDA and still resident in Evergreen, became chairman of the Memphis Landmarks Commission. She joined the Commission in 1987 following a meeting with Mayor Hackett. During a discussion about the Landmarks Commission, the Mayor turned to an aide and said, “Say, who appoints the members of that Commission?” And she said, “Why you do, Mayor,” and he turned to Janis Foster and said, “Would you like to be on the Commission?” and she said, “Why,

120 yes!” As chairman of the MLC, she had to try to be an impartial observer and leave the Evergreen representatives to present the viewpoint of the EHDA. It was not always a comfortable position. Architect Jack Tucker also came on board as a strong supporter of neighborhood preservation and sometimes became the focus of dis- gruntlement from architects whose plans had been questioned. The Memphis Landmarks Commission started semi-monthly meetings to ensure there would be no delay in reviewing plans. Cathy Marcinko, Preservation Planner, remembered the hectic days and nights trying to keep up with the ongoing applications. It was a learning process for both the staff and the commissioners. Although they always tried to work with both the applicant and the neighborhood, the results were not always comple tely satisfactory. But overall, the give and take produced an acceptable application. Many excellent designs sailed through but there were a few fights that had unfortunate Janis Foster, former president of political overtones. However, the approval rate was almost EHDA and still resident in Midtown, became chairman of 100 percent.40 the Memphis Landmarks Commission. The incoming mayor Dr. W. W. Herenton and his adminis- tration continued the process initiated by Mayor Wyeth Chandler and developed under Mayor Dick Hackett. Phase II started February 16, 1992, with 40 lots. After two days, only one lot remained unsold and the end result was almost $1,000,000. By May of 1992, 16 houses were in varying stages of construction from the first land sale. Owners occupied four of them while three more had been posted for sale. For the next auction, the city decid- ed to restrict bidders to a maximum of six lots. In 1993 lot prices varied from $44,517 on Overton Park Avenue to $21,941 on Peach Street. By 1995, 72 homes had been built and occupied with about a dozen more under con- struction.41

Phase III was the last sealed bid sale. For the final sales, the city sent articles to the newspaper. It was not just posting an announcement. Instead, an article with pic- Photo courtesy of Memphis/Shelby County Public Library tures of newly constructed houses advertised the lots. Incoming mayor Dr. W. W. Herenton and his The int erior lots sold first, selling from east to west, with the administration continued the process initi- west slower to sell. About 220 lots have been sold and the ated by Mayor Wyeth Chandler and devel- oped under Mayor Dick Hackett. city owns no more whole lots. And homes have been built on most of the lots. The last project is a 20-lot planned development on North Willett behind Marena’s Restaurant on Overton Park Avenue. Lavelle Walker & Assoc. designed the project and Hansom Homes Inc./Hansom Brothers Partner ship and Re/Mac Construction are building them. Six of the houses have been constructed and have new familis living

121 in them. More homes of 2400 to 2800 square feet, 3 bed- rooms and 2 1/2 baths with a sale price of $260,000 to $280,000 are under construc- tion.42

A number of architects and builders have worked on homes in the infill. Architects and designers include: Looney/Ricks/Kiss; Christian Hettinger, Mark Weaver, John Photo by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photo by Pruett,Clare Jones Assoc. Lavelle Walker & Assoc. designed the project and Hansom Homes Among the builders were: Curry Inc./Hansom Brothers Partnership and Re/Mac Construction are build- Builders, Hank Hill, Uhlhorn ing them. Builders, Ron Sklaar, McWaters/Williams, M-J Construction, Bihm, Nova Homes, Rob Hansom and Brad Hansom, Hunter Ryan, Vernbrook. Architect Frank Ricks and family moved into one of the homes he built in The Corridor. Several families already living in Evergreen bought lots to build new houses. They wanted the character of a mid-town home with the amenities of the new.43 Courtesy of Lavelle Walker Courtesy of Lavelle Phase III, a 20 lot planned development on North Willett behind Marena’s, has begun and six have been constructed and have new families living in them.

122 Ron Speck built a new house on the site of his in-laws old house, a Tudor style duplex on Overton Park Avenue, a victim of the right-of-way clearance. Mrs. Speck’s family, the McMurrys, had lived in the upstairs while her paternal grandparents occupied the ground level. Lawrence McMurry said, “I want- ed the kids where they could go to Snowden and Central.” Also, he would be near his aging parents to be of help to them. The families moved into their 1920s duplex in 1953 and soon realized the threat of the expressway. “For 13 1/2 years we knew the expressway was going to take us. It was inevitable. It was coming,” recalled Mrs. McMurry. They were among the very last residents to leave their home. The McMurrys also decided to return to Overton Park Avenue and had their builder son-in-law in charge of recre- ating the home. Architect Dennis Mitchell of Looney Ricks Kiss designed the plans using photographs of the old home and a Southern Living floor plan the McMurrys liked.44 Photo by Margaret Graber Photo by Margaret Ron Speck built a new house on the site of his in-laws old house, a Tudor style duplex on Overton Park Avenue, a victim of the right-of-way clearance, shown at right.

As with every human endeavor, there were a few setbacks. “Midtown Homes Sink, Owners Sue; Some Houses Built Atop Filled-In Basements In I- 40 Corridor May Be On Shaky Ground,” blared the headline in the newspaper. Although the city sold the property “as is,” lots had been checked by engineers to determine if they were suitable for a home foundation. However, several of the new houses began to settle and crack. At one the two car garage and then the breezeway began to lean and sink and ultimately had to be torn down. In the pit below this portion, workers removed 25 dump loads of stuff from trees to refrigerators.45

Overa ll, the redevelopment of The Corridor right-of-way land proceeded in an orderly fashion, an accomplishment for both the city and the Evergreen Historic District Association. Sue Reid Williams–Evergreen resident since childhood, former President of the Evergreen Historic District Association, unofficial historian and archivist of the community, and member of the Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Committee–credits the successful infill to important details: The land returned to single-family lots followed the established street patterns from the past; homes could only be built on single-family lots; builders could not combine lots to build different types of buildings or gated facilities.46

123 The redevelopment received recognition and honor from several sources. The National Trust posted the redevelop- ment facts on its website. The Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment won honorable mention in the James C. Howland Awards for Urban Enrichment sponsored by the National League of Cities. The Tennessee Historical Commission awarded a certificate of merit to the Evergreen Historic District Association in recognition of its contribu- tion to preserving the architectural and historic heritage of Tennessee. In 1997, Memphis Heritage awarded Evergreen Historic District Association the Preservation Planning Award.47

Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl devoted a chapter to “The Bluff City.” Authors Richard Moe, former president of the National Trust for Sue Reid Williams-Evergreen resident Historic Preservation and Carter Wilkie, a preservationist, since childhood, former President of the wrote of the problems of the city with its lack of planning. Evergreen Historic District Association. However, they found some restoration of old Memphis underway. The Midtown Corridor West infill project rated special mention for positive accomplishments. The authors toured Evergreen old and new and had only praise for the successful preservation of a neighborhood and successful urban infill.48

Awards Won by Houses in the Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment:

1779 Autumn-John Pruett, Architect 369 Angelus 363 Angelus *President’s Award for the Best New Residential Structure in a Historic District, 1992, 1994, 1995, Memphis Heritage, Inc.

1779 Autumn

1767 Autumn-Looney, Ricks, Kiss Architects *Best Detached Single-Family Home 1997 Aurora Awards *Special Recognition Award/Neighborhood Revitalization, 1996 Best in Americ an Living National Design Competition

1767 Autumn

124 1806 Autumn-Looney, Ricks, Kiss Architects *Award of Merit in Residential Design, 1996 AIA Memphis *Home of the Year Award, 1994 Best in American Living National Design Competition *Regional Award/Best in East South Central Region, 1994 Best in American Living National Design Competition

1806 Autumn 346 Stonewall-Looney, Ricks, Kiss Architects *Best Detached Single-Family Home, 1997 Aurora Awards *Special Recognition Award/Neighborhood Revitalization, 1996 Best in American Living National Design Competition *Grand Award, 1996 Builder’s Choice National Design & Planning Awards *President’s Award for the Best New Residential Structure in a Historic District, 1996 Memphis Heritage, Inc.49 346 Stonewall

Old and New Evergreen

Even before the redevelopment, home values had been increasing dramatically. However, as the infill proceeded sale prices jumped even more. By 1980 home values had increased over 350% above 1970 prices. In 1995 the increase from the year 1970 was over 700%. The average sales price in 1995 was $120,344, but the minimum sale was $35,000 and the maximum $630,000. Homes in Evergreen vary from small cottages needing renovation to the brand new grand homes in the former corridor. Still sharp increases in the pri ce of homes both old and new limit the availability of housing for families with modest incomes.

Average Sales Price: 1970 $17,036 1975 $30,911 1980 $59,951 1985 $81,069 1990 $108,057 1995 $120,344 1998 $150,705 2000 $167,663 2001 $177,361 2002 $193,091 (first 7 months) [Chandler Reports]50

125 For old or new Evergreen the cen- terpiece of the neighborhood is the Galloway Mansion. Built by Robert Galloway, the 12,000 square foot Colonial Revival house sits grandly on the spacious grounds comprising a city block. Through the years, Evergreen neighbors have worried about the fate of the estate. Since Mrs. Galloway’s death in the 1940’s, there have been several owners. In the 1970’s a conversion plan Photo by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photo by using the home for apartments The Galloway Mansion, built by Robert Galloway, the 12,000 square and building townhouses around foot home sits grandly on the spacious grounds comprising a city block. it collapsed. Then Dr. Marshall Koonce bought the home in 1977. After restoration, Dr. Koonce opened the Galloway Mansion for Evergreen festivities and the Evergreen Historic District Association considered him a good neighbor.51

After his retirement, Dr. Koonce decided to sell. In 1997, he applied for a permit to create a subdivi- sion, Koonce Mansion Square. The preliminary subdivision plan showed 16 lots with the Galloway Mansion on lot 5. When the house went up for sale, there were alternative choices. Eight double-sized lots were offered with the house sold separately or all the lots could be bought as a unit. In 1998 Lori and Barry Bolding bought the mansion and the entire grounds. Then the Boldings began an extensive renovation and restored the home to a beautiful condition. But in 2001, they decided to sell the Galloway Mansion, the asking price $2,350,000. Barry Bolding currently is living in Galloway Mansion until a suitable buyer comes along.52

Another grand house, new this time, is the Quantum House spon- sored by Memphis businessman Kevin Wright. Designed as the ulti- mate dream home, each featured quality workmanship, f ine furnish- ings and the latest in technology and conveniences. Subcontractors and vendors had a showcase to dis- play their work and their products. Before selling the homes, he opened them for tours with pro- ceeds going to the Memphis Photo by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photo by Ronald McDonald House.53 “A Villa in Midtown,” the first Quantum House opened for tours in the fall of 2000 with LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center the beneficiary.

126 In 1999, Kevin Wright took an option to purchase the four corner lots on the Galloway Mansion prop- erty. He planned for four Quantum Homes on the large corner lots. They would be designed and built in a style suitable to the character of the Evergreen Historic District. Described as “A Villa in Midtown,” the first Quantum House opened for tours in the fall of 2000 with LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center the beneficiary. The asking price for the approximately 7000 square-foot residence sit- ting on 3/4ths of an acre was $1,350,000. After both an open bid and a sealed bid auction, the home is still for sale. And in 2002, it is still the only home sharing the grounds with the Galloway Mansion.54

Another neighbor of crucial importance to Evergreen is Overton Park situated on the east- ern boundary of the Evergreen Historic District. The suburb and the park had developed together, Photo by Photo TeresaBullock each complementing the other. The 342-acre park with 175 acres of forest is much more than a nearby play area. Also on the grounds and of architectural and historical interest are the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis College of Art (former- A neighbor of crucial importance to Evergreen is Overton Park situated on the eastern boundary of the Evergreen Historic District. ly the Memphis Art Academy), a 9- hole golf course and the Abe Goodman clubhouse, the Raoul Wallenberg Shell Amphitheater, and the Memphis Zoo. In the 1980s, the city of Memphis start- ed improvements for the park. Ritchie Smith, nationally known landscape architect, developed a Photo by Photo TeresaBullock 20-year plan for gradual renewal and improvement in four timed phases. Lissa Thompson served as project designer. Closing a number of entrances and roads cut off commuter traffic through the park. A parki ng plaza made the changes more palatable while added Also on the grounds and of architectural and historical interest is the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. picnic tables and playgrounds made the park more attractive for visitors.55

Improvement and renewal followed the scheduled phases of the 20-year plan. Rainbow Lake has been restored and filled. A greensward (an open green space) extended the view and a new playground

127 area nearby completed that phase. The third phase improved the main entrance off Poplar with low curving walls of limestone. Another lane added to the exit road allowed for left turns into Poplar Avenue. Also, permanent barriers were placed on the roads closed to restrict traffic into the park and zoo.56

Crime has been a recurring problem for Overton Park. Used by early morning joggers, picnickers, eve ning dog walkers, golfers, students, and others, the Park always has visitors but some are not wel- come. Permanently closing the old entrances with concrete blockades rather than wooden barricades helped to centralize entry. In the 1980s, the city had park rangers on horseback patrol on weekends. In 2002, a series of armed rob- beries had park regulars uneasy. Then in March, an attempted robbery ended in the death of both victim and attacker. Police initi- ated bike patrols on the park trails and are attempting to curb the criminal element. Park Friends, Evergreen Historic District Association and other users of the Park have worked with the police to keep the Park safe.57

The Park Commission started People Day in the park on weekends, to control traffic and reduce jams. There is a jogging trai l and a 11/2-mile Old Forest Trail, an interpretive walk with trail markers to iden- tify trees. Park Friends, Inc., a private nonprofit support group, developed the trail and handouts. Walkers may take a self-guided tour using a trail map and forest guide.58

Some trial balloon suggestions deflated and disappeared. In 1993, John Malmo, chairman of the Memphis Park Commission Board, took restaurateurs on a tour of the Abe Goodman Clubhouse. Built in the 1920s, the English cottage-style structure seemed ideal for a restaurant similar to New York City’s Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Ritchie Smith gave his approval to the proposal. They had hoped to enlist George Falls of Paulette’s who had expressed an interest. However, he had other proj- ects underway and could not accept and no one else came forward. Today the building is still the Abe Goodman Clubhouse. In 1995, the City Council decided Overton Park would be the ideal place for a senior citizens center. The center would be on the southeast corner (at Poplar and East Parkway) replacing the proposed second greensward. Finally, however, the Council retreated, agreeing to follow the 20-year plan for Overton Park.59

The Memphis Zoo grew incrementally from its meager birth in 1905 as the Memphis Zoological Society. The old Carnivora Building had been joined with the Pachyderm Building and others added by the WPA during the depression years. But the zoo had also deteriorated during the waiting period of the interstate controversy. Improvements had been delayed. Following the pattern of the Park, the Zoo closed most entrances. V isitors now enter via Poplar or McLean Avenues. Some of the old right- of- way on Overton Park Avenue is being used for additional parking. In 1994 the Memphis Zoological Society, an independent board, took over management of the zoo. Two phases of its $30,000,000 improvement plan have been completed. After opening the new front gate entrance

128 with parking and a plaza, the zoo’s first new build- ing was Cat Country for lions, tigers and other big cats. The Education Photo by Photo TeresaBullock Complex, Discovery Center, the Elephant’s Trunk Zoo Shop, and the administration buildings opened in 1993. An important addition is the 11,500 square-foot ani- The new entrance to the Memphis Zoo recalls the Egyptian theme in it’s design. mal hospital. Other exhibits feature Animals of the Night, Once upon a Farm, Primate Canyon, Madagascar, and the Dragon’s Lair.60

The Memphis Zoo is becoming a world-class attraction. Two new exhibits illustrate the imagination of the planners. The China Exhibit, a 3-acre $10,500,000 project, opened in July of 2002. The visit begins at a 5-story pagoda, a replica of a 1500-year old monastery. In the courtyard stand a sculpture garden and a one-ton bell. The Chinese water garden contains ornamental goldfish, koi, Asian sm all-clawed otters, Chinese waterfowl and aquatic plants such as hyacinths and lotus. The Auspicious Light Pagoda is ready for the feature attraction—two giant pandas. Arrangements for a ten-year loan from the Republic of China are almost complete and the pandas are expected to arrive early in 2003. Many exotic animals inhabit the China Exhibit including Tibetan Moon bears, binturongs (or bearcats), re d or lesser pandas, yaks, Francois langurs (monkeys), Pere David deer, white-cheeked gibbons and white napped cranes. The Northwest Passage will showcase animals from that region and construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2002.61

Snowden School also grew along with the neighborhood. Memphis Architects Walk Jones, Sr. and Max Furbringer designed the original Beaux Arts building. Since 1910 it has nourished the children of Evergreen. Snowden is a neighbor- by Photo TeresaBullock hood school with an optional school program of enriched aca- demics/college preparatory from grades kindergarten through eight. The composition of the student body is similar to that of 1979 with 77% black and 19% white but Snowden School also grew along with the neighborhood. Memphis now adding a 3% Asian component. Architects Walk Jones, Sr. and Max Furbringer designed the original Beaux Arts building. The elementary curriculum

129 includes–in addition to strong academic basics–Spanish, science lab, art, Orff music, class piano and strings. The middle school offers enriched and honors programs in academic course work. Students also study Spanish, French or Latin, art, and music with a choice of band or string orchestra or choir. Extra curricular activities are numerous: student council; honor society; Beta Club; Snowden Marching Band; Snowden Concert Choir and Show Choir; Orff Intermediate Choir; sports for boys and girls; cheerleaders and pep squad. Evergreen Historic District is one of the Adopt-A-School-Partners and continues to support Snowden.62

As in old Evergreen, churches are still important to the community. On its website, the Evergreen Historic District Association lists many midtown churches. However, only a few of them lie within the boundaries of the Evergreen Historic District. Trinity United Methodist Church has been an integral part of the community since 1913 with the current structure completed in 1925. In the 1980s the congregation decided to renovate and by the end of 1986, the restoration had been completed, another positive move in preserving the neighborhood. Trinity has a popular pre-school and is active in the community. The annual spring dinner theater is a well-attended function.63

The old church at Autumn and Dickinson, originally serving as Evergreen Presbyterian, is still there. The Photo by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photo by Trinity United Methodist Church has been an Seventh Day Adventist congregation remained from integral part of the community since 1913 with 1979 until 1995. Parking was a problem plus the the current structure completed in 1925. church was in a mostly white neighborhood and the Adventists needed to be near a black neighborhood to evangelize. Keeping a congregation for the small church with limited parking has been a problem. Currently The Church at Memphis, an evangelical Christian Center, owns it. The Open Door Bible Church on North Parkway is a good neighbor, supporting the Evergreen Historic District Association through financial sponsorship. Jehovah’s Witnesses have a large Assembly Hall in the old Crosstown Theatre. Several s mall congregations have churches in Evergreen. The former Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church on North Watkins now belongs to the Living Water Community Church and Youth Outreach Ministry. Both the Omega Church, A Full Gospel Ministry, and the Anointed Word Church are on Overton Park Avenue.64

Other institutions have been associated with Evergreen. St. Peter’s Orphanage has been on Poplar Avenu e since 1879. It is no longer an orphanage, although there is still a maternity and adoption serv- ice center. St. Peter Home, a residential treatment center for troubled girls, took over the property of the former DeNeuville Heights School for Girls in Frayser. Now on the grounds of St. Peter Village are: St. Peter Manor, an affordable housing complex for the elderly; St. Peter Villa Rehabilitati on and Nursing

130 Target House, sponsored by Target Stores with contributions from many celebrities, provides long-term housing for patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Photo by Graber Works Photo by Graber

Center; a child daycare; and Target House. Target House, sponsored by Target Stores with contributions from many celebrities, provides long-term housing for patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It is a home-away-from-home for patients and their families.65

B’nai B’rith had been on North Tucker near Poplar since 1927. It opened as a home for the aged and then added a hospital. But the n eed for expansion forced a move from the old location (situated with- in the boundaries of the old Mid-Memphis Improvement Association but outside the Evergreen Historic District area). In the 1990s, it reopened in Cordova as the Memphis Jewish Home. Today the Overton Park Health Care Center uses the old buildings.66

The Parkview Apartment-Hotel, an unwanted anomaly rising far above its residential neighbors in Evergreen, opened in 1923. Over the decades since the 1920s, it evolved into a familiar landmark. Presently, as a retirement home, the Parkview generates little transient traffic. The Memphis Presbytery owned the property from the 1960s into the 1990s. The management kept the building and grounds in good shape and the Midtown Garden Club and the Memphis City Beautiful Commission both recog- nized the excellent landscaping.67

In 1988, the Parkview management applied for permission to build a 60-bed nursing home connected to the main building. Residents of the Parkview wanted to stay in their retirement home rather than move to a nursing home located somewhere else. The Evergreen Historic District Association opposed the plan. Luncheon meetings at the Presbyterian-owned Parkview began with a prayer. A minister would pray that the seniors of the Memphis area be protected and cared for in their time of need. To balance that directed appeal, someone suggested a closing prayer of thanks from the Evergreen repre- sentatives. Then the prayer would be for the continued stability and improvement and safety of the Evergreen neighborhood. The neighbors thought the Presbyterians a little unch ristian and the Presbyterians thought them somewhat unneighborly.68

Owners of nearby properties on Kenilworth and Buena Vista felt threatened by the determined push to take their properties. The Parkview had purchased two adjacent residential properties on

131 The Parkview has survived through epochal years, beginning in the 1920s as an apartment-hotel, then enduring bankruptcy in the depres- sion years and now a retirement community for 40 years. Photos by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photos by

Kenilworth and Buena Vista. Then the Parkview agreed to leave the Buena Vista house and use only the Kenilworth property for a nursing home and parking. The Association still objected, fearing an increase in traffic and off street parking. Nonetheless, the Land Use Control Board approved the proposal. However, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, the final arbiter, refused to allow the Parkview to build since there were already too many nursing home beds in Shelby County. Currently, the Parkview is still a senior retirement home offering independent and assisted living. It is owned and operated by Merrill Gardens, one of the largest managers of rental retirement communities. The Parkview has survived through epochal years, beginning in the 1920’s as an apartment-hotel, then enduring bankru ptcy in the depression years and now a retirement community for 40 years, a graceful old lady fronting Poplar and the entrance to Overton Park.69

Some businesses have survived through the decades. Drake Cleaners is still on Evergreen, on the same cor- ner run by the Drake family from 1917 to 1978. The current owners Judy and Richard Smith have been there for 10 years now. Charlie Drake, son and succe ssor of the founding Drake, continued to drop by his old place. Judy Smith loved to hear him tell about the old days in Evergreen. Charlie Drake, now deceased, remem-

Photo by Fred Asbury Photo by Fred bered when lamplighters came Drake Cleaners is still on Evergreen, on the same corner run by around in the evenings.70 the Drake family from 1917 to 1978. Joe Solomito ran Joe’s Liquor Store, at

132 Poplar and Belvedere. Many Memphians remember the 1960’s “Sputnik” sign that twirled and blinked to attract attention to the store. Current owner Brad Larson remodeled the Sputnik (now listed on the National Neon Register) and changed the name to Joe’s Wine and Liquor store. The restored sign is once again send- ing out signals.71

Paul Penczner opened his Fine Arts Studio and Gallery at 1436 Poplar in 1954. Although his situation had greatly improved from the World War II years when he was a prisoner of war of the American Army, he had to ask for a lease-purchase option since

he could not afford to buy the building at that time. Originally a by Photos TeresaBullock residence, the building housed a frame shop and small art gallery on the first floor and Penczner’s art school and studio upstairs. Mr. Penczner continued the art school for 30 years, his roster of students including prominent Memphis area residents and cur- rently well-known artists such as Edith Caywood and Sophie Coors. At 86 years of age, he is still going to the studio every day to paint, also maintaining an art gallery with changing Joe’s Wine and Liquor store owner, exhibitions.72 Brad Larson, remodeled the Sputnik (now listed on the National Neon Register). Neighbors have watched the changes in the makeup of the area, some more welcome than others. The old curb market is gone from the Cleveland/Poplar site. In its place is a Kroger complex with a bakery, delicatessen, pharmacy, bank, and restaurant. Annie’s Fannie and other girlie places are also gone, razed to make way for the Kroger. “Hello Kroger!” wrote EHDA President Janis Foster. The Association welcomed Kroger but hated that several houses on Watkins had to be demolished to pro- vide space for a p arking lot and driveway. Other longtime businesses faded. The White Way Pharmacy had been owned and operated by the Lubin family from 1939 until the 1995 closure. The sign on the Cleveland pharmacy said, “Memphis’ Smartest Suburban Pharmacy.” Leonard Lubin, whose parents ran the store before him, blamed an “overdose of government,” when the landmark pharmacy went out of business. Beulah Feder ran the Occasion Shop on Poplar for 48 years before finally closing in 1994. The Squash Blossom, a natural food store, turned out to be a newcom- er that did not last. In the 1980s the Squash Blossom opened at Poplar and Evergreen, then moved south to Union Avenue.73

But Evergreen residents have also welcomed new arrivals fairly often. Café Society has been described as a “sophisticated neighborhood Photo by Fred Asbury Photo by Fred restaurant ” with great ambiance and also Cafe Society

133 “welcoming and comfortable.” Since 1988, owner Michel Leny has watched over his restaurant and recently added Epicure, a gour- met food market specializing in fresh fish, hard to find ingredients and carryout dinners. More businesses followed Café Society and the Poplar/Evergreen area is now called Evergreen Plaza. After tearing down the Dream Girls nightclub, contractor John Gardner had reno- vated 1720 Poplar for the food market Squash Blossom. In the 1990s he extended the improvements, replacing the Occasion Shop and Majors Photography. Mr. Gardner won an

Photo by Fred Asbury Photo by Fred award for his development of the Evergreen LeMarche and La Boutique Plaza. The India Palace Restaurant moved into the Squash Blossom building.74

Burke’s Bookstore, an institution in Memphis since 1875, left downtown for midtown. Here on the corner of Poplar and Evergree n, Burke’s continues its long tradition of finding rare books and works on Southern history and the civil war. A new bookstore, The Deliberate Literate, started in Evergreen in 1990, but needing a larger building moved to Union Avenue. Two newer arrivals are LeMarche fea- turing an eclectic mix of gifts, antiques, prints, and fresh flowers and La Boutique a dress shop with accessories, gifts and shoes.75

On Overton Park Avenue, Marena’s Restaurant occupies a former office supply building. The beautifully hand-painted rooms bringing “a touch of the Mediterranean,” opened in 1990. On entering the two rooms of the restaurant described as a “Moroccan jewelbox,” guests start a memorable evening. Owners Rena and Jack Franklin recently sold the restaurant to Mortez Gerani who is continuing in the tradition established by the Franklins. While the Franklins featured monthly menus with the cuisine of two adjoining Mediterranean countries, Chef Gerani features northern Italian and Mediterranean specialities. The Genesis Variety Store took over the old White Way Pharmacy building. It has been described as a Mom and Pop store.76 Photo by Fred Asbury Photo by Fred Marena’s Gerani

In the 1990s, most of the Memphis metropolitan area witnessed major changes–rura l county land turned into suburbia; old institutions and businesses changed or closed while new ones took their place. In Evergreen the old Blue Lodge on Overton Park closed because there were only a few mem- bers left. The lodge merged with another and their Stonewall Lodge building has been remodeled and is for lease. However, other indications of stability encouraged residents. The Almadura, an old apart-

134 Photo by Photo TeresaBullock Photo by Bill Bullock The Brinkley apartments on Overton Park have The old Blue lodge merged with another and their been renovated. Stonewall Lodge building has been remodeled and is for lease. ment building at Stonewall and Poplar, has a new look after extensive renovation. The Brinkley Apartments on Overton Park Avenue, have been redone also–described as “A Faded Lady Returns to Elegance.”77

Restaurants, service stations, apartment houses, and churches are plentiful in the mid-town area. However, the variety of shops has continued to decline. Jane Drake Collins, whose father started Drake Cleaners, moved away after marriage. She and her family returned in 1980 and have been in her old home on Evergreen ever since. She has many positive comments about changes in Evergreen, but the missing element is shopping. Some established places such as Sears Crosstown, Julius Lewis and the Helen Shop (officially Helen of Memphis) closed for good. Others such as the Trousseau Shop moved east. S ince today’s groceries offer more than meat and produce, mid-towners might count the former Seessel’s now Schnuck’s grocery store on Union Avenue as a place to shop. The Kroger Store on Cleveland is always busy also, but much of the Cleveland Avenue commercial district is in need of rehabilitation or renovation.78

The Evergreen Historic District Association

In the late sixties, a fight to prevent a fast-fo od place from replacing resi- dential lots started the neighborhood association. Since then, through two name changes and several decades, the neighborhood association has made preservation of the residential district a primary goal while also encourag- ing sensible commercial development. When Exxon replaced an older sta- tion at McLean and Poplar with a design to promote the full service Exxon, the difference was very obvious. It features 24-hour service, loud colors, bright lights, and loud music. The Evergreen Historic District Association, responding to nearby neighbors’ pleas, worked with Exxon to alleviate the problems. Exxon turned off a few of the floodlights facing the residences and agreed to eliminate the outside music and the pay telephone.79

135 The circumferential parkways–East, North, and South–are no longer at the edge of the city. However, the historic parkways enhance the city’s image as a green oasis. A 1974 Scenic Drives Ordinance pro- hibits non-residential development within a 200 feet deep corridor. Walgreen’s, the drugstore chain, is currently rebuilding on corner lots. A prime location was the vacant lot at the corner of East Parkway and Summer Avenue across the street from a small Walgreen’s. However, the plan required a 1.5-acre site available only after tearing down a 1920’s complex, the Overton Park Manor Apartments on East Parkway. It also required an exemption from the Scenic Drives Ordinance. The Land Use Control Board approved the Walgreen’s design, hoping to stimulate commercial growth in a stagnant area around Summer Avenue. Both the EHDA and Hein Park Neighborhood Association as well as other Midtown neighborhoods opposed granting an exemption to the Scenic Drives Ordinance. The City Council agreed with the neighborhoods and vetoed the plan.80

The Evergreen Historic District Association continues its vigilance whether joining in anti-crime initia- tives, creating an anti-neglect committee, or petitioning the city for more streetlights. To cover the entire neighborhood, there are district representatives and captains for each block. The quarterly newsletter provides information about Association activities and events of interest to the community, while the Evergreen Hotline (274-EHDA) encourages residents to call for information or report any concerns. And the Evergreen website, www.evergreendistrict.org., announces the organization’s readi- ness for the 21st century. Finally, current president Bill Bullock devised a replacement for the leg- endary town crier. He has a distribution list of e-mail addresses for more than 225 families and the list is still growing. Important news can be transmitted instantly.81

One year, the Anti-Neglect Committee organized a clean-up week called “Let’s Make Evergreen Beautiful.” The group called for special trash collections. Housing and Code Enforcement officials sur- veyed the neighborhood to note code violations. The committee encouraged neighbors to help in the spring-cleaning. Evergreeners also adopted a section of Overton Park to maintain. They pruned shrubs, mowed the grass, gathered the trash and overall cleaned up.82

Neighbors have enjoyed many special events over the years. In Evergreen, the annual National Night Out is called “The World’s Largest Block Party” and also the “Party with a Purpose.” Initiated by the Neighborhood Watch Program, the purpose of National Night Out is to help neighbors get to know each other and to better protect the neigh- borhood. In Evergreen, the party is in reality over 50 block parties held at the same time throughout the neighborhood. It’s a fun night with food and beverages, but it also serves to help neighbors get to know one another and become familiar with patterns and routines of others. As President Sue Reid Williams described National Night Out on August 1, 1995, “that’s when every block, every sin- gle block, had a party!” “This is what stands out for Every other year, the Association sponsors a tour of me. Concern for each other, laughing together, homes, showing the distinctive home styles in enjoy ing the diversity that makes Evergreen the Evergreen.

136 Photo by Teresa Bullock Teresa Photo by Annual Christmas Caroling through the Evergreen The EHDA annual fall picnic, begun in 1987 on the neighborhood on a float usually accompnied by a grounds of the Galloway Mansion, has attracted trolley car bus and the Shelby County Sheriff’s larger crowds with more and more children every patrol. year.

heartbeat of Midtown. Evergreen is a neighborly place. We’re connected. That’s something very spe- cial about this neighborhood that makes being our president such a privilege.”83

Some neighborhood projects are ongoing. Every other year, the Association sponsors a tour of homes, showing the distinctive styles in Evergreen and also raising money to continue their good work. The annual Christmas caro ling visit to shut-ins started in 1984 and has grown every year since. One year Santa rode in a fire truck. In 1998 two MATA trolleys carried carolers to homes of shut-ins. The annu- al fall picnic, begun in 1987 on the grounds of the Galloway Mansion, has attracted larger crowds also. A petting zoo, pony rides and children’s train added to the fun. The cakewalk is for everyone. There is also an annu al Easter egg hunt.84

Evergreen is once again a vibrant community, priding itself on neighborliness. Newcomers are still wel- comed with an information packet and urged to join

community activities. Many newcomers have stories by Photo TeresaBullock to tell. Jessica and Jim Robinson moved onto Forrest Street to a house later featured in the movie, “The Client.” Moving is always tiring; it was a cold December day–maybe a c old rain falling–and it had been a very long day. Then they heard music; it was the Christmas Caroling float and brass band heading out to serenade the homebound. The “dream house” Jessica and Jim Robinson’s home on Forrest Street of Sandra and Melvin (Butch) Burgess is also a was featured in the movie “The Client”. Corridor home. The Burgesses have become active members and officers of the EHDA. Sandra Burgess is also on the Memphis Landmarks Commission. They do a popular fish fry for National Night Out on their block. In the year 2000, Van and Mabel Himel moved into a new home in The Corridor and in 2001 had a birthday party to celebrate their new home’s first year anniversary and then the next year had a second birthday party celebrating again with friends and neighbors.85

137 Growing from its beginnings as a suburb on the eastern edge of town, Evergreen has succeeded in becoming a flourishing midtown community. Evergreen fought the threat of an interstate through Overton Park and the neighborhood. But once the east-west leg of Interstate 40 had been removed from the national interstate system, The Corridor of land cleared for the highway remained. For a decade longer, th e Evergreen Historic District Association and other neighborhood groups worked diligently to keep the park and their community intact. The Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment, an infill of single- family residences compatible with the surviving sections, is the grand finale to the lengthy saga. The City added property to the tax rolls and Evergreen is once again an intact neighborhood. An almost square area set in the middle of the city, a green enclave next to the green of Overton Park and the stately parkways, the Evergreen Historic District is an inviting oasis in the heart of Memphis.

138 Abbreviations Used in Notes

CA Memphis Commercial Appeal

EHDA Evergreen Historic District Association

MLC Memphis Landmarks Commission

OPD Office of Planning & Development

PS Memphis Press Scimitar

SRW Sue Reid Williams Collection

TDOT Tennessee Department of Transportation

139 Notes

1Irma Merrill, “Evergreen’s Story Continues——,” Unpublished Article, Memphis, TN., September 2002.

2Interview with Janis Foster, 17 September 2002.

3”EHDA Achievements,” Evergreen Historic District Association Collection; Brent Manley, “Land Board Okays Midtown Rezone,” PS 4 January 1980.

4 Memphis Landmarks Commission, Evergreen: National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form (Memphis, TN., 1984); Janis Foster, “Making Hay in Evergreen: A Review of the Past Three Years,” Mid-Memphian, February-March 1988; Irma Merrill, “ Evergreen’s Story Continues.”

5City of Memphis website (11 March 2002); Information from Jennifer Tucker, Historic Preservation Planner, MLC, 11 March 2002.

6Eugene J. Johnson & Robert D. Russell, Jr., Memphis: An Architectural Guide (Knoxville, TN.: University of Tennessee Press, 1990), 177; Marshall, Sarah, “Annesdale Park, Annesdale-Snowden and Evergreen: The Founding and the Development of Memphis Suburbs: 1880-1910,” Rhodes College Senior Seminar, 1999.

7Johnson & Russell, Memphis: An Architectural Guide, 177.

8Janis Foster, “Plugging In: CPOP And The I-40 Overton Park Controversy,” Unpublished Article, Memphis, TN., 1983; Interview With Stan Klenk, Professional Engineer, Allen & Hoshall, 11 April 2002; Interview With John Cameron, City Civil Design Engineer, Department Of Engineering, Division Of Public Works, City Of Memphis, 28 February 2002; J. Alan Hanover, “Through Overton Park,” CA 22 February 1976; Orville Hancock, “Coleman Gets New Proposal For I-40 Link,” PS 5 February 1976; Hancock, “Coleman Plans Hearing On I-40 In Memphis,” PS 6 February 1976; “Study Of I-40 Link Delayed 3 Months,” PS 5 March 1976; “Tree Growth Part of Report on I-40,” PS 9 June 1976; William Bennett, “I-40 Design Will Receive Push Today, CA 8 July 1976; “All 8 Plans For Overton X-Way Called Harmful To Environment; State Sets Its Hearing For August,” PS 8 July 1976; “State Hopes For X-Way Compromise,” PS 9 July 1976; Jim Balentine, “Plaza-Covered X-Way Plan Proposed For Overton Park,” PS 15 October 1976; “New Man In Charge Of X-Way Hearings,” PS 28 October 1976; “State Drops Its Request In I-40 Case,” CA 17 November 1976; Wendell Potter, “Candidate For Transportation Might Oppose I-40 Park Plan,” PS 9 December 1976; Mary Ellen Parks, “The Overton Park Expressway: A Missing Link to Everywhere,” History 7960, Memphis State Universit y, 1977.

9Foster, “Plugging In,” 27; Michael Lollar, “Future Memphis, Chamber Forsake Park Route Stance,” CA 23 December 1977; “Fresh Look at I-40,” CA 24 December 1977; William Bennett, “Blanton Rules Out I-40 Study,” CA 12 January 1978; Lollar, “Officials Begin Eying Alternate I-40 Route,” CA 14 March 1979; William Steverson, “Overton Park Bypass for I-40 is proposed,” CA 12 July 1979.

140 10”Deleting I-40 Seen Pivotal to New Plan,” CA 14 July 1979; Thomas Jordan, “Chandler’s I-40 Plan Would Use City Streets, Elevated Roadways,” CA 9 January 1980; Letter of Mayor Wyeth Chandler to Lamar Alexander, Governor of the State of Tennessee, 30 December 1980, in Sue Reid Williams Collection.

11Press Release From the Governor’s Office, 16 January 1981; Letter Of Mayor Wyeth Chandler To Governor Lamar Alexander, 30 December 1980; Letter Of Governor Alexander To John S. Hassell, Jr., Federal Highway Administrator & Theodore C. Lutz, Urban Mass Transportation Administrator, 8 January 1981; Letter Of Theodore C. Lutz And John S. Hassell, Jr. to Governor Alexander, 16 January 1981[letters in SRW Collection]; “Chandler to Request Waiver for I-40 Gap,” CA 5 February 1980; “Exemption for Part of I-40 Is Urged by Board,” CA 9 December 1980.

12Interview with John Cameron, City Civil Design Engineer, 28 February 2002; Interview with Vincent Laws, Project Engineer, Tennessee Department of Transportation, 18 April 2002.

13Ron Russell, “Ex-Homeowners In I-40 Corridor Seek Land Return,” CA 21 January 1981; Wayne Risher, “I-40 vs. The Park: Who Was Right,” CA 28 June 1998; Robert Sigafoos, Cotton Row To Be ale Street: A Business History of Memphis (Memphis, TN.: Memphis State University Press, 1979), 230; Telephone Interview With Calvin Hicks, Mapping And Records, City Of Memphis, 10 April 2002; “Humko Chief Receives Enterprise Award,” PS 1 November 1972, Biographical File, Memphis Room, Memphis & Shelby County Public Library.

14 Maynard C. Stiles, Announcement of Public Meeting on the Mid-Town Transportation Corridor (Memphis, TN.: Public Works, March 1984; Allen & Hoshall, Inc., “Project Update, Midtown Transportation Corridor,” Vol. IV, March 1984; Kovarik, Jim, A Report on the Proposed Expansion of I- 40/I-240 in Midtown Memphis, (Memphis: MICAH, September 1989); Telephone Interview with Carter Gray, Administrator, Department of Regional Services, Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, 5 March 2002.

15”Reroute Sam Cooper,” Memphis Flyer 30 August 1990; “Road Would Shorten Trip Downtown,” Memphis Flyer 27 December 1990; “City Studies Plan to Extend Sam Cooper,” Memphis Flyer 29 August 1996; Telephone Interview with John Cameron, City Civil Design Engineer, 25 February 2002; Interview with Stan Klenk, Engineer, Allen & Hoshall, 11 April 2002.

16 Carter Gray, Memphis & Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, [email protected] “Re: Interstate Substitution Funds,” E-mail 5 March 2002; Risher, “I-40 vs. the Park: Who Was Right?” CA 28 June 1998.

17Interview with John Cameron, 28 February & 5 March 2002; Telephone Interview with Marion Jones, Senior Planner, OPD, 20 March 2002; Interview with Vincent Laws, Project Engineer, TDOT, 18 April 2002; Information fr om Clark Oder, Transportation Planning Manager, City of Memphis, 23 April & 17 September 2002; Wayne Risher, “Work on Extending Sam Cooper Set for Fall Completion, CA 20 June 2002; “Parkway Opens, Eases Traffic Through Heart of Memphis,” CA 26 July 2002.

141 18Interview with Stan Klenk, Allen and Hoshall, 11 April 2002; Tennessee Department of Transportation, Interstate Route 40/240 from the I-40/I-240 Directional (Midtown) Interchange: Final Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Statement, March 16, 1998 (Nashville, TN.: The Administration, 1998).

19Interview with Janis Foster.

20”Disposal Of Surplus Interests In Real Property And Energy Resources,” (a) (8), Tennessee Code Annotated, (Charlottesville, VA.: Michie, 1981; “Update: Overton Park Expressway Land; Property’s Future Is Still Clouded,” CA 4 March 1986; Wayne Risher, “Property Draws Conflict Of Allegations; Gaia, Turley Trade Charges,” CA 19 June 1986.

21Letter of Mayor Hackett to Janis Foster, 12 May 1986, EHDA Collection; “Safe At Last!! Corridor To Be Cleaned-Up,” Mid-Memphian, M arch-April 1986; Wayne Risher, “Disposition Of I-40 Land Awaits Fate,” CA 22 June 1986.

22Letter of Mayor Hackett to Robert E. Farris, Tennessee Commissioner of Transportation, 11 April 1983; Letter of Commissioner Farris to Mayor Hackett, 10 June 1983; Letter of Commissioner Farris to James H. Kennedy, Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the Tennessee Assembly, 13 July 1984; Sue Reid Williams, “The Corri dor Redevelopment: A 20 Year Initiative of the Evergreen Neighborhood,” Paper, Fall 1993, University of Memphis. [Letters & Paper in SRW Collection]; Wayne Risher, “State to Urge Return to City of I-40 Area,” CA 20 June 1986.

23Telephone Interview with Irma Merrill, 12 August 2002; Thomas Jordan and Paula Wade, “Hackett Backs Residential Use Of I-40 Tract; Single Family Homes Suggested,” CA 24 J anuary 1988; Letter To The National Trust For Historic Preservation From Nancy Ligon Hughes, Ligon-Hughes Realtors, 24 April 1996; Letter To The National Trust For Historic Preservation From Hazel Fath, Editor of the Mid- Memphian, 24 April 1996 [Letters in SRW Collection].

24 Memphis & Shelby County OPD, Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report (Memphis, TN.: 1989), 1.

25 Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment , 1-2; Wayne Risher, “Disposition Of I-40 Land Awaits Fate,” CA 22 June 1986; Risher, “Corridor Roadblock Removed By Decision,” CA 28 June 1990; Philip Ashford & Connie Schneider, “Hackett-Gaia Battle Looms Over I-40 Land,” CA 11 February 1989; Dave Hirschman, “Heirs Have No Claim To I-40 State Rules,” CA 22 December 1989; Hirschman, “FILO’s End May Have Come With Meeting,” CA 29 March 1990; Hir schman, “Lawsuits Delay Plans To Resell I-40 Home Lots,” CA 9 August 1990; Hirschman, “Court OK’s Sale Of 190 I-40 Lots In Midtown,” CA 11 November 1990; “Official Notice: Former I-40 Property Available To Current Owners,” Mid-Memphian, June-July 1990; Lisa M. Ross, “Suit Seeks Return Of I-40 Property,” CA 7 May 1990; “New Evergreen,” Mid Memphian, March-April 1990; “Quick Corridor Resales Planned; Many Embittered Ex-Owners Wary Of Deals On Home Sites,” CA 28 November 1991.

26Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment; Interview with Janis Foster.

142 27Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment.

28Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment.

29Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment.

30Cathy Marcinko [email protected]> “Re: Landmarks Commission and EHDA,” E-mail, 12 September 2002; Interview with Janis Foster.

31MLC, Handbook: An Explanation of the Design Guidelines for Midtown Corridor West and Evergreen Historic Conservation District (Memphis, August, 1991; Revised February, 1993), 1-42; “Evergreen path takes 470 days,” CA 23 January 1990; Wanda Carruthers, “Evergreen named Conservation District,” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1990.

32Thomas R. Stone, “Council Forms Board To Select City Landmarks,” PS 16 July 1975; David M. Tucker, Memphis Since Crump: Bossism, Blacks, and Civic Reformers 1948-1968 (Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1980), 79-99; Johnson and Russell, Memphis: An Architectural Guide 8, 22, 45-46; Henry L. Diamond & Patrick F. Noonan, eds., Land Use in America (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1996), 1-11; Richard Moe and Carter Wilkie, Changing Places: Rebuilding Community In The Age Of Sprawl (New York: Henry Holt & Company 1997), 81-83.

33Stone, “Council Forms Board To Select City Landmarks,” PS 16 July 1975; MLC, Memphis Landmarks Co mmission Survey & Preservation Plan (Memphis, 1980); MLC, The Memphis Landmarks Commission: An Introduction and Overview, (Memphis, October 2001), 1-2; “Mid Town Corridor Fact Sheet” in SRW Collection; Interview with Cathy Marcinko, 12 September 2002.

34MLC, An Introduction and Overview; Dave Hirschman, “Landmark Votes Push Development,” CA 28 August 1989; Hirschman, “Revival of Landmarks Board Puts Cit y Back In Mainstream,” CA 8 September 1989; Cathy Marcinko, E-mail, 12 September 2002.

35Interview with Janis Foster; MLC, Handbook: An Explanation of the Design Guidelines, p 1-42; “Evergreen Path Takes 470 days,” CA 23 January 1990; Carruthers, “Evergreen named Conservation District,” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1990.

36MLC, An Introduction and Overview, p1-2.

37 Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment, p16-23.

38Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment, pp 20-23.

39Dave Hirschman, “Builders’ Homes Nearing Completion For Public Sale,” CA 2 January 1992; Hirschman, “I-40 Property Owners Near Payoff For Past Frustrations,” CA 19 March 1992; Jerome Obermark, “Homes Filling I-40 Corridor At Rapid Pace,” CA 4 February 1993.

143 40 Cathy Marcinko, E-mail; Interview with Janis Foster.

41Wayne Risher, “City To Alter Corridor Lot Sales Format,” CA 4 February 1993; Risher, “Buyers Enter Corridor Lot Bids,” CA 25 March 1993; Hazel Fath, “The First New Home On The Corridor,” Mid- Memphian, March-April 1992; Fath, “Corridor Update,” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1995; “Mid Town Corridor Fact Sheet,” SRW Collection.

42 Telephone Interview with Jennifer Tucker, MLC; Telephone Interview with Marion Jones, OPD, 20 March 2002; Jerome Obermark, “These New Homes Have Evergreen Charm,” CA 11 August 2002; Wayne Risher, “Evergreen Place Designs Get Landmarks Thumbs Up,” CA 6 December 2001; Telephone Interview with Brad Hansom, Hansom Brothers Partnership, 29 April 2002.

43”Mid Town Corridor Fact Sheet,” SRW Collection; Obermark, “Homes Filling I-40 Corridor At Rapid Pace,” CA 4 February 1993.

44Dave Hirschman, “Couple Designs Way To Go ‘Home’; Corridor Plans Look Familiar,” CA 26 December 1991; Wayne Risher, “Corridor Home To Rebuild Old Times,” CA 15 December 1994; Risher, “Nostalgia Lures McMurrys Back To Old Neighborhood, CA 23 November 1995.

45Wayne Risher, “New Home Has That Sinking Feeling,” CA 17 January 1996; Debbie Gilbert, “Midtown H omes Sink; Owners Sue,” Memphis Flyer 14 March 1996.

46Interview with Sue Reid Williams, 19 August 2002.

47Marion Jones, “Father Christmas Visits Early,” Mid-Memphian, December 1998-January 1999; Coe And Wilkie, Changing Places, pp 75-99; Gail Stahl, “Memphis Has Been On A Roll: Dexter Muller, Part 2,” Tennessee Town & City, 25 August 1997, 8; Stahl,”Memphis Twice Honored Nationally,” Tennessee Town & City, 9 November 1998, 1; Randy Arndt and Nathan Ridenouer, “Four Cities Earn Howland Award For Boosting Quality Of Life,” Nation’s Cities Weekly, 2 November 1998, 3.

48Coe And Wilkie, Changing Places, pp 75-99.

49”Awards Won by Houses in the Evergreen Corridor,” Report of Sue Reid Williams in SRW Collection.

50Information from Chandler Reports; Prepared by Garner Chandler, April 1996 and August 2002.

51Evergreen News: 7 September, 5 December, 7 December, 1973; 20 September 1977.

52Wayne Risher, “Galloway House Sold To Boldings,” CA 5 February 1998; Peggy Burch, “Living in A Landmark,” CA 11 December 1999; “Old Landmark Mansion is on the Market Again,” CA 4 November 2000; Risher, “Mansion Offered for Sale,” CA 31 March 2001.

53Lisa Waddell, “Quantum House II,” CA 18 October 1992; Jerome Obermark, “Quantum House’s Sequel Repeats Themes from ‘91,” CA 9 May 1993; Karen Pulfer Focht, “Open-Door Policy,” CA 11 June 1993;

144 Steve Jones, “Oh, What a Night,” CA 7 November 1993; Jerome Obermark, “Galloway Property Takes ‘Quantum’ Leap,” CA 28 February 1999.

54Jerome Obermark, “Quantum House On Auction Block,” CA 14 January 2001; Lela Garlington, “Highest Bid Too Low for Showcase Home,” CA 22 January 2001; Obermark, “Sealed Bid Auction Set for Quantum House,” CA 14 March 2002; Website of the Shelby County Assessor of Property (25 February 2002)

55 Memphis Website ; Susan Miller, Director of Enrollment & Student Services, Memphis College of Art< [email protected]> “Re: Name Change to MCA,” E-mail 24 April 2002; Steve Gaither, “Master Plan OK’d for Overton Park,” CA 21 April 1988; Jerome Obermark, “Overton Park Project Is A Winner; Statewide Award Cites Lo cal Firm For Design Revisions, CA 30 June 1999.

56Wayne Risher, “Latest Round Of Overton Park Changes Nearing End,” CA 4 December 1997; Mary Dando, “Designing a Landscape for Life,” Daily News, 27 January 2001.

57”Plough Voices Anger At ‘Useless’ Overton Park,” CA 16 February 1984; Kevin McKenzie and Katherine Cromer, “Overton Park Attacker and Victim Kill Each Other In Apparent Robbery Attempt,” CA 24 March 2002; Yolanda Jones, “Anxiety Afoot In Overton Park,” CA 26 March 2002; Information From Cary Holladay, Operations, & Larry Keenan, Management, Division Of Park Services, City of Memphis, 23 April 2002; Bill Bullock, < [email protected] >”Re: Park Safety,” E-mail 25 September 2002.

58Wayne Risher, “Old Forest Trail To Open At Overton Park,” CA 6 April 2000; Kevin Robbins, “As Park Ages, Timeless Issues About Man’s Place In Universe,” CA 13 November 1995.

59 John Malmo, > [email protected] “Re: Overton Park Abe Goodman Clubhouse,” E-Mail, August 21, 2002; Wayne Risher, “Overton Clubhouse Eyed as Stylish Eating Place,” CA 27 May 1993; Risher, “Clubhouse Eyed as Eatery Site; Overton Cottage May Take Cue From Tavern on The Green,” CA 3 June 1993; Robbins, “As Park Ages, Timeless Issues About Man’s Place In It Revive,” CA 13 November 1995.

60Website of the Memphis City Zoo (April, June, July 2002); Johnson and Russell, Memphis: An Architectural Guide, 205-206; Wayne Risher, “Zoo Group Says It Can Save Millions,” CA 18 August 1993; Risher, “Society To Manage Zoo Jan.1,” CA 1 December 1994.

61Memphis Zoo < http://www.memphiszoo.org>; Chris Davis, “Fine China,” Memphis Flyer 11 July 2002; Wayne Risher, “People’s Public Waits For Pandas; For Opening Other Black, White Bears Will Hold The Prize Spot,” CA 7 July 2002; Risher, “Zoo Confident Pandas Will Come; Chinese Diplomat Helps Ready Exhibit; Pledges Loan Support,” CA 12 July 2002; Donnie Snow, “Asian Otters, Moon Bears Await. . .At Zoo’s Panda-Less China Exhibit,” CA 12 July 2002; Stephen D. Price, “Chi na Opener Wows Crowd In Advance Of The Pandas,” CA 14 July 2002.

145 62 Website of the City of Memphis Schools< http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/schools/snow- den> (10 April 2002); State of Tennessee, School Report Card 2001 (Nashville, TN.: Department of Education, 2001).

63Website of the Evergreen Historic District Association (March, June, August 2002; Website of Trinity United Methodist Church< http://www.gbgm-umc.org/trinityum- cmemphis> (10 April 2002); “Trinity United Methodist Church,” United Methodist Reporter, 13 May 1988.

64Cole’s Cross Reference Directory, Memphis & Vicinity, 2001 (Memphis, TN.: Cole Publications, 2001); Wayne Risher, “Evergreen Adventists Aim To Sell For North Memphis Move,” CA 15 September 1994.

65Website of St. Peter’s (16 April 2002); Website of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital< http://www.stjude.org.> (15 April 2002>

66Website of the Memphis Jewish Home (16 April 2002).

67Catherine Graves, “The Parkview-The Original ‘Out East’ Address,” Mid-Memphian, July-August, 1986.

68Interview with Janis Foster.

69Cornell Christian, “Parkview Gets Plan That Keeps Residence, “ CA 29 December 1988; Connie Schneider, “Nearby Home To Be Razed If Extension Approved,” CA 17 November 1988; Schneider, “Parkview Nursing Home Endorsed; Neighbors Protest Land Use Board’s Terms,” CA, 6 January 1989; Karanja Ajanaku, “Parkview Owners Lose Bid For Home,” CA 24 August 1989; Website of Merrill Gardens< http://www.merrillgardens.com.> ( 17 July 2002)

70Interview with Judy and Richard Smith, Co-owners of Drake Cleaners, 22 August 2002.

71Hazel Fath, “Joe’s: A Midtown Landmark,” Mid-Memphian, December 1998-January 1999.

72Interview with Paul Penczner, 11 September 2002; Sarah Lacy, “Ladies’ Man,” Memphis Business Journal, 11 August 2000.

73Janis Foster, “Hello Kroger!” Mid-Memphian, October-November 1986; Wayne Risher, “Developer Rethinks Poplar Site,” CA 15 February 1996; Risher, “Pharmacy Landmark to be Closed,” CA 4 October 1995; Linda B. Me rritt, “Squash Blossom Is Moving,” Mid-Memphian, November-December 1995.

74Barbara Frankle, “Café Society and Michel Leny,” Mid-Memphian, June-July 1988; Frederic Koeppel, “Café Society-Fare in Step With Pleasures of a Fine Evergreen Ambiance,” CA 23 November 2001< http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/restaurant_reviews>; Kay H. Womack, “Reviewer’s Choice,” Memphis Magazine, August 1999; “Fodor’s Restaurant Review,” 13 March 2000; Wayne Risher, “Indian Restaurant to Open,” CA 27 June 1996; Risher, “Developer Rethinks Poplar Site,” CA 15 December 1996.

146 75 Website of Burkes Bookstore< http://www.burkesbooks.com> (6 August 2002); Website of Deliberate Literate(6 August 2002); Barbara Frankle, “Evergreen and Midtown Welcome Burke’s Book Store,” Mid-Memphian, February-March1989; Sallie Hillard, “Deliberate Literate Unique Bookstore Opens in Evergreen Plaza,” Mid-Memphian, June-July 1990; Susanne Benson Darnell, “Preside nt’s Message,” EHDA Newsletter, June 1998.

76Hazel Fath, “A Touch of the Mediterranean Comes to Midtown Memphis,” Mid-Memphian, October- November 1990; Christine Arpe Gang, “New Owner of Marena’s Says He’ll Keep Italian Theme, Add Own Touch to Menu,” CA 31 October 2001; Frederic Koeppel, “Marena’s Much the Same Although Much Changed,” CA 18 January 2002; Koeppel, “Culinary Escapades Slacken Nary A Tad With Change Of Chefs,” CA 25 January 2002; Susan Harrell, “True North,” Memphis Flyer 27 December 2001< http://www.memphisflyer.com>; Tiffany Akin, “Mom and Pop in Midtown,” Mid-Memphian, February- March 1998.

77Hazel Fath, “What’s Behind the Three Doors?” Mid-Memphian, April-May 1998; Fath, “A Faded Lady Returns to Elegance,” Mid-Memphian, July-August 1997.

78Interview with Jane Drake Collins, 12 September 2002; Interview with Janis Foster.

79Wayne Risher, “Subdued Tiger still rubbing neighbors wrong way,” CA 21 January 1999; Debbie Gilbert, “Exxon,” Memphis Flyer 31 December 1998.

80Wayne Risher, “Parkway Walgreen’s Plan Draws Strong Opposition; Neighbors Voice Objections,” CA 7 August 2001; Risher, “Land Use Backs Walgreen Parkway,” CA 10 August 2001; Risher, “Walgreen Inches Closer to Selective Mi dtown Corridor,” CA 16 August 2001; Risher, “Midtown Groups Rally To Rebuff Walgreen’s,” CA 27 September 2001; Blake Fontenay, “Plan For New Walgreen’s Defeated; East Parkway Residents Prevail,” CA 3 October 2001.

81Interview with Irma Merrill, 12 August & 10 September 2002; EHDA Flyer, “KEEP IN TOUCH”; EHDA Flyer, “HELLO! It’s Spring!”; “ “EHDA Achievements,”,” EHDA Collection; Janis Foster, “Making Hay in Evergreen: A Review of the Past 3 years,” Mid-Memphian, February-March1988.

82Susanne Benson Darnell, “President’s Message,” EHDA Newsletter, June 1998.

83Sue Reid Williams, “Notes from the President,” EHDA Newsletter, December 1995; Telephone Interviews with Bill Bullock, 12 & 13 August 2002; “Block Parties Again Set Evergreen Aglow,” EHDA Newsletter, Fall 2000.

84”EHDA Achievements,” EHDA Collection; Interview with Irma Merrill, 12 August & 10 September 2002; Sue Reid Williams, “Notes from the President,” EHDA Newsletter, December 1995; “Come to our Fall Picnic Sunday, October 8 at Williamson Park,” EHDA Newsletter, Fall 2000.

85Irma Merrill, “Evergreen’s Story Continues.”

147 Works Cited

Special Collections:

Committee to Preserve Overton Park (CPOP) Collection. Evergreen Historic District Association Collection. Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Collection. Memphis Information Files Memphis Room, History Department, Memphis & Shelby County Public Library. Williams, Sue Reid. Redevelopment of The Corridor Collection. Memphis, TN.

Interviews:

Bullock, Bill. Presid ent Evergreen Historic District Association, Memphis, TN. 12 February, 19 April, 12 August 2002. Cameron, John E. City Civil Design Engineer, City Of Memphis. 25 February, 28 February, 5 March 2002. Collins, Jane Drake. Lifelong Resident Of Evergreen Community, Memphis. 12 September 2002. Foster, Janis. Consultant; Former President Of Evergreen Historic District Association; Former Chairman Of Me mphis Landmarks Commission. 17 September 2002. Gray, Carter. Administrator, Dept. of Regional Services, Memphis And Shelby County Office Of Planning & Development, City Of Memphis. 5 March 2002. Hansom, Brad. Brad Hansom Builders, Memphis. 29 April 2002. Hicks, Calvin. Mapping & Records, City Of Memphis. 10 April 2002. Holladay, Cary. Operations, Division Of Park Services, City Of Memphis. 23 A pril 2002. Jones, Marion. Senior Planner, Office Of Planning & Development, City Of Memphis. 20 March 2002. Keenan, Larry. Management, Division Of Park Services, City Of Memphis. 23 April 2002. Klenk, Stan. Professional Engineer, Allen & Hoshall Inc., Memphis. 11 April 2002. Laws, Vincent. Project Engineer, Tennessee Department Of Transportation, Memphis.18 April 2002. Marcinko, Cathy. Former Preserva tion Planner, City Of Memphis. September 10, 2002. Merrill, Erma. Former President Evergreen Historic District Association. 12 August & 9 September 2002. Oder, Clark. Transportation Planning Manager, City Of Memphis. 23 April & 16 September 2002. Penczner, Paul. Penczner’s Fine Art Studio & Gallery, Memphis. 11 September 2002. Smith, Judy & Richard. Drake Cleaners, Memphis. 22 August 200 2. Tucker, Jennifer. Historic Preservation Planner, Memphis Landmarks Commission, City of Memphis. 25 February & 11 March 2002. Williams, Sue Reid. Former President Evergreen Historic District Association. March 15 & 19 August 2002.

148 Government Sources:

Memphis Landmarks Commission, City Of Memphis. Evergreen: National Register Of Historic Places- Nomination Form. Memphis, TN. 1984. ______. Handbook: An Explanation Of The Design Guidelines For Midtown Corridor West & Evergreen Historic Conservation District. Memphis, TN. August 1991 Revised February 1993. ______. Memphis Landmarks Commission Survey & Preservation Plan . Memphis, TN. September 1980. ______. The Memphis Landmarks Commission: An Introduction And Overview. Memphis, TN. October 2001. Memphis & Shelby County Office Of Planning & Development. Midtown Corridor West Redevelopment Report. Memphis, TN. November 7, 1989. ______. Application For Preliminary Subdivision Approval. Memphis, TN. 29 May 1997. Stiles, Maynard C. Announcement of Pu blic Meeting on the Mid-Town Transportation Corridor. Memphis, TN.: Public Works, March 1981. ______. Announcement Of Public Meeting On The Mid-Town Transportation Corridor. Memphis, TN.: Public Works, March 1984. Tennessee. School Report Card 2001. Nashville, TN.: Department of Education, 2001. Tennessee Code Annotated. Charlottesville, Va.: Michie, 1981. Tennessee Department of Transport ation. Interstate Route 40/240 from the I-40/I-240 Directional (Midtown) Interchange: Final Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Statement, March 16, 1998. Nashville, TN. The Administration, 1998.

Unpublished Materials:

Chandler Reports. Memphis, TN. April 1996; August 2002. Evergreen Historic District Association Flyer. “Keep In Touch.” ______. “Hello! It’s Spring!” Foster, Ja nis. “Plugging In-Citizens To Preserve Overton Park And The I-40 Overton Park Controversy.” Memphis, TN. December 1983. Marshall, Sarah. “Annesdale Park, Annesdale-Snowden and Evergreen: The Founding and the Development of Memphis Suburbs: 1880-1910.” Rhodes College Senior Seminar, 1999. Merrill, Irma. “Evergreen’s Story Continues—-.” Memphis, TN. September 2002. Parks, Mary Ellen. “The Over ton Park Expressway: A Missing Link to Everywhere.” History 7960, Memphis State University, 1977.

149 Published: Books: Cole’s Cross Reference Directory, Memphis & Vicinity 2001. Memphis, TN.: Cole Publications, 2001. Colethorpe, Peter & William Fulton. The Regional City: Planning For The End Of Sprawl. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2001. Diamond, Henry L., & Patrick F. Noonan, Eds. Land Use In America. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1996. Garreau, Joel. Edge City: Life On The New Frontier. New York: Doubleday, 1988. Johnson, Eugene J., & Robert D. Russell, Jr. Memphis: An Architectural Guide. Knoxville, TN.: University of Tennessee Press, 1990. Kovarik, Jim. A Report on the Proposed Expansion of I-40/I-240 in Midtown Memphis. Memphis: MICAH, 1989. Moe, Richard, & Carter Wilkie. Changing Places: Rebuilding Community In The Age Of Sprawl. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1997. Sigafoos, Robert A. Cotton Row To Beale Street: A Business History Of Memphis. Memphis, TN.: Memphis State University Press, 1979. Tucker, David M. Memphis Since Crump: Bossism, Blacks, And Civic Reformers 1948-1968. Knoxville, TN.: University Of Tennessee Press, 1980.

Periodicals: Allen & Hoshall. “Project Update.” Mid-Town Transportation Corridor, vol. 4, March 1984. Arndt, Randy, & Nathan Ride nouer. “Four Cities Earn Howland Award For Boosting Quality Of Life.” Nation’s Cities Weekly, vol. 21, #44, 2 November 1998. Akin, Tiffany. “Mom & Pop In Midtown.” Mid-Memphian, February-March 1998. Anderson, Steve. Evergreen Historic District Association Awaits Conservation Status.” Mid-Memphian, September-October 1989. “Block Parties Again Set Evergreen Aglow,” Evergreen Historic District Asso ciation Newsletter, Fall 2000. Carruthers, Wanda. “Evergreen Named Conservation District. Mid-Memphian, March-April 1990. “City Studies Plan To Extend Sam Cooper.” Memphis Flyer, 29 August 1996. “Come To Our Fall Picnic Sunday October 8 At Williamson Park. Evergreen Historic District Association Newsletter, Fall 2000. Darnell, Susanne Benson. “President’s Message.” Evergreen Historic District Association Newsletter, June 1998. Davis, Chris. “Fine China.” Memphis Flyer, 11 July 2002. Fath, Hazel. “Yesterday’s Evergreen. . .Today’s Mid-Memphis. . .Tomorrow’s Evergreen.” Mid-Memphian, January-February 1985. ______. “A Faded Lady Returns To Elegance. Mid-Memphian, February-March 1988. ______. “New Evergreen.” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1990. ______. “The First New Homes on The Corri dor. Mid-Memphian, March-April 1992.

150 ______. “A Touch Of The Mediterranean Comes To Midtown Memphis. Mid-Memphian, October-November 1990. ______. “Corridor Update.” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1995. ______. “What’s Behind The Three Doors? Mid-Memphian, April-May 1998. ______. “Joe’s: A Midtown Landmark. Mid-Memphian, December 1998-January 1999. Fodor’s Restaurant Review. 13 March 2000.http://chefmoz.org/unitedstates/TN/Memphis/cafesociety. Foster, Janis. “Hello Kroger!” Mid-Memphian, October-November 1986. ______. “I-40 Corridor: The Long Drive Back.” Mid-Memphian, July-August 1987. ______. “Making Hay In Evergreen: A Review Of The Past Three Years.” Mid-Memphian, February-March 1988. Frankle, Barbara. “Café Society & Michael Leny.” Mid-Memphian, June-July 1988. Gilbert, Debbie. “Exxon.” Memphis Flyer, 31 December 1998. ______. “Midtown Homes Sink, Owners Sue.” Memphis Flyer, 14 March 1996. Harrell, Susan. “True North.” Memphis Flyer, 27 December 2001 . Jones, Marion. “Father Christmas Visits Early.” Mid-Memphian, December 1998-January 1999. Lacy, Sarah. “Ladies’ Man.” Memphis Business Journal, 11 August 2000. Merritt, Linda B. “Squash Blossom Is Moving.” Mid-Memph ian, November-December 1995. “New Evergreen.” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1990. “Official Notice: Former I-40 Property Available To Current Owners.” Mid-Memphian, June- July 1990. “Reroute Sam Cooper.” Memphis Flyer, 30 August 1990. “Safe At Last!! Corridor To Be Cleaned-Up.” Mid-Memphian, March-April 1986. Stahl, Gail. “Memphis Has Been On A Roll: Dexter Muller, Part 2.” Tennessee Town & City, v ol. XLVIII, #15, 25 August 1997. ______. “Memphis Twice Honored Nationally.” Tennessee Town & City, vol. XLIX, #19, 19 November 1998. “Trinity United Methodist Church.” United Methodist Reporter, 13 May 1988. Williams, Sue Reid. “Notes From The President.” Evergreen Historic District Association Newsletter, December 1995. Womack, Kay H. “Reviewer’s Choice.” Memphis Magazine, August 1999 .

Daily Newspapers Memphis Commercial Appeal, 1976-2002. Memphis Press Scimitar, 1976-1980.

151 Web Sites:

Burke’s Bookstore. . City of Memphis. . City of Memphis Public Schools. City of Memphis Zoo. . Commercial Appeal Newspaper. . Deliberate Literate Bookstore. . Evergreen Historic District Association. . Memphis Jewish Home/B’nai B’rith. /mjf/agencies.html> Merrill Gardens Assisted Living. . St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memphis, TN. . St. Peter Village. Memphis, TN. . Shelby County Assessor of Property. Shelby County, TN. Trinity United Methodist Church. Memphis, TN. /trin ityumcmemphis>.

E-Mails:

Bullock, Bill. “Re: Questions about Evergreen Historic District Association.” January-September 2002. . Gray, Carter. “Re: Interstate Substitution Funds.” 5 March 2002. Malmo, John. “Re: Overton Park Abe Goodman Clubhouse.” 21 August 2002. . Marcinko, Cathy. “Re: Landmarks Commission and Evergre en.” 12 September 2002. . Miller, Susan. Memphis College of Art. “Re: MCA Name Change.” 24 April 2002.

152 153