Memphis Landmarks Commission lists endangered city treasures
By Jennifer M. Tucker, Historic Preservation Planner

The Landmarks Commission reviews plans for new construction, additions and alterations in historic districts designated by City Council to ensure compatibility with the existing historic houses and to prevent unnecessary demolitions.  Currently designated historic districts include Annesdale-Park, Annesdale-Snowden, Central Gardens, Collins Chapel CME Church, Cotton Row, Evergreen, Gayoso-Peabody, Glenview, Lea’s Woods, Maxwelton, South Main, and Victorian Village.  While we are also involved in various annual programs, comprehensive plans, providing information to the public, and working on an ever changing list of special projects, we make sure to keep an eye on historically significant properties that may be endangered.

The following is not an all-encompassing list of endangered properties, but a few places of high importance whose fate is uncertain.  Sadly, many more of our city’s treasures face threats every day through demolition, abusive alterations, or neglect.

Crump Stadium – Behind Central High at Linden and Cleveland.  Built in 1934.  The Board of Education plans to demolish it and build a new stadium.  A project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), it was one of our first major sports arenas and is the oldest remaining stadium, host to hundreds of legendary football games between local high schools, colleges, and regional championship teams until 1965. It was also the site of our first integrated football game.

Manassas High School – 781 Firestone.  Built in 1936. Threatened by closure or demolition and reconstruction.  The school created an environment that produced some of Memphis’ most legendary African-American musicians.

Humes Junior High – 659 Manassas.  Built in1925.  Threatened with closure. Listed on the National Register just last month, it is our finest and last remaining example of Collegiate Gothic architectural style among our public school buildings, not to mention Elvis Presley’s alma mater.

The Fairgrounds –  A committee was formed to decide its fate. Maintenance and operational costs of the structures are major factors that threaten their survival.  The Mid-South Fair, held here since 1908, could face relocation to the Agricenter. The Shelby County Building was lost in a fire last year.  However, many other significant historic structures are on still on the site, including the hand-carved Grand Carousel (1909), made by the famed Dentzel Carousel Co. in Philadelphia; the Zippin Pippin (1915), one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the U.S.; the Mid-South Coliseum (1964), important as the first public building in the region to be built and used as an integrated facility; and Fairview Jr. High (1930), a unique Art Deco-styled school building that was designed by E.L. Harrison. Other buildings of note on the site include the National Guard Armory (1941-42), Fire Station No. 16 (1925), Creative Arts Center (1950), and the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (1965).

Sears Roebuck Warehouse (a.k.a. Sears Tower) – 495 N. Watkins.  Built in 1927.  It has been vacant for several decades and is now under an anti-neglect citation.  It is one of eight such Sears buildings built in the U.S. and one of only six still standing.

Sterick Building – 8. N. Third Street.  Built from 1928-30. This fantastic manifestation of Gothic Revival architecture in skyscraper form has been vacant for over twenty years.

Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Shell (a.k.a. Overton Park Shell) – Built in 1936.  Scheduled to be demolished this Fall, the Shell is in need of costly upgrades to bring it up to code.  Designed by locally renowned architects Furbringer and Erhman and built as a WPA project, it has hosted many famous entertainers throughout the twentieth century and was the reputed location of Elvis Presley’s earliest performance on July 30, 1954.

Many of the above structures and buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places**, but it is important to know that National Register status, while a prestigious honor and indicative of the level of historic significance, does not protect a property from demolition.   

So, be aware, stay informed and get active!  Together, the citizens of Memphis can band together and make a difference.  Let’s make sure our civic leaders and elected officials know how much our collective heritage means to us for the betterment of our city and as a legacy for the generations to come.  Once it is gone, it is gone forever.  Our past is irreplaceable.


**The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information, visit: www.cr.nps.gov/nr