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Show a- - (& EEGS7 For most people Memphis is Elvis and the blues. Yet, for those who visit this rejuvenated city in the southwest corner of Tennessee, there is so much more Meaning place of good abode, the name was bestowed on this delta nver town by President Andy Jack-so- n and his friends John Overton and James Winchester. What made the community grow and prosper was the mighty Mississippi, the river highway that flows past its bluffs, and cotton, the white gold that grew in the flat fields surrounding it. Even today a third of all U.S. cotton passes through the Memphis Cotton Exchange, and world prices are set here. What gave Memphis its reputation was its famous sons and daughters: W C. Handy (the father of the blues), Bessie Smith; B. B. King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated in 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, and of course Elvis, who derived his sound from the early blues and spirituals. Today Memphis has also gained renown for its famed Peabody Hotel and its celebrated ducks, the rebirth of Beale Street, Mud Island, Victorie an Village, and its tasty ribs. Memphis music has a colorful history, going back to early Negro folk music. This was a blend of the work songs the field hands called out to one another, and the gospel music they sang in their churches. The tone was the blues, and the cry was for physical and spiritual relief Along came William Christopher (W C.) Handy. He discovered the field blues, cleaned up the language, made it saleable, and the Memphis blues was born. Handy then took his unique music to infamous Beale Street. The celebrated street was the center of entertainment for the black population of the It had a wild and raucous reputation, and anything and everything happened there. Today that famous street is undergoing a rebirth that k will bring back a section. Fortunately, nothing will change at A. Schwab, a dry goods store opened there in 1876. The stores famous motto is, If you cant find it at Schwabs you are better off without it." But its hard not to find just about everything at this absolutely delightful store that is a Memphis landmark. Schwab's still advertises such sought after items as curling irons, bloomers, spats, crystal balls (honest), oil lamps, long johns, mens pants to size 74, and ladies dresses to size 60. For the one you really love, Schwabs even has a cast iron derby. Fans make pilgrimages to Memphis just to visit Graceiand, the private refuge of the legendary Elvis Presley. Tours of the Presley estate are conducted on a continuing basis, and after walking through his home, tourists are directed to his collection of cars, the trophy building housing an almost endless array of personal items, then to the gravesite of the Presley family. For the devotee, there are special tours around Memphis to many areas which had significance in the life of Elvis. A towering statue (10 feet tall) of the late King of Rock n Roll stands at the entrance of Elvis Presley Plaza (at Beale and Main). A popular attraction for the Elvis faithful is the location of Sun Recording Studio, where in 1954 the singer paid $4, waited his turn, then recorded a 78 record for his mother. A copy was slipped to the local disc jock;y, and Elvis was on his way Another of the citys landmarks is the regal Peabody Hotel For more than a century the Peabody in the heart of Memphis was the great hotel In 1975 a $25 million restoration, and a reopening six years later has made her an even grander lady than she was before. The tradition of the famous Peabody ducks, started back in the 1930s, has earned the hotel national recognition. The ducks waddle from the elevator to the marble fountain in the center of the lobby every late morning, spend the day splashing and playing, and return to their roof-to- p cages suite every late afternoon. The pomp and ceremony is enhanced by a red carpet reaching from the elevator doers to the fountain, the timing and the playing of an upbeat Sousa march. Locals, hotel guests and visitors gather for the two daily performances, and love every minute of it. Along the riverfront Mud Island is a tribute to the history and heritage of the Mississippi River. It begins wih a monorail ride to the island, then visitors take their time strolling the River Walk, investigatscale model ing the bar-b-qu- mid-sout- Blowing some blues born at Blues Alley in Memphis, Tennessee has been a tradition for years. W.Q Handy, Bessie Smith, BJB. King and Elvis gave Memphis its musical reputation. (JSGZyglHEjf? a3DOl0S5Hnia!HMfe 1 Eivis Presley built bis Graceiand Mansion after be hit the big time with bis rock n roll music. The Memphis mansion is now open to tours. m juifiu gw-'- Ini Ifcn i'll !vi - i':- ' - i : ir - " I X- . " v5' feats? ,' - 50-fo- ot X & .. L '11 1 I Spanning the Mississippi River is the deSoto Bridge. The superstructure forms an elongated water. This view is from Mud Island. : 4 M over the 50-ac-re h. wsii pigfe of the river, and walking through the interesting Mississippi River Museum. There are restaurants, shops and plenty of activity for the family Spanning the Mississippi is the o Bridge, its superstructure m the form of an elongated "M Shopping? Lots In the heart of downtown is the Mall, home for department stores, specialty shops, fountains, benches, sculptures, entertainment and a pleasant change-of-pae- e for visitors The mall is also home for Court Square and its old trees which cast cooling shadows and for Civic Plaza with its fountains enjoyed by the noontime lunch crowd Nearby Front Street is perhaps better known as Cotton Row, where bales of cotton are still pushed around with handcarts. At Overton Square there is a collection of shops, an art gallery, sidewalk shows, restaurants and boutiques It has become a popular place to meet and enjoy the day or evening Although you cant hear the great Handy pushing his blues sound through a horn along Beale Street anymore, there are downtown nightspots open every night. Number One Beale also hosts blues musicians, and both places serve delicious Memphis ribs. When the revitalization of Beale Street is completed, there will be more nightclubs featuring the moody blues which made the city famous Downtown entertainment and restaurants are within walking distance of one another, and locals and tourists alike frequent seafood restaurants such as Capi-tai- n Bilbos, The Pier, and Doeblers Dock. There are a number of annual Memphis events which are now termed classics, including the Danny Thomas Golf Tournament in June, the Liberty Bowl for football fans in December, Cotton Carnival every May, and the Elvis Presley memorial celebrations held each August The Chackasaw and Cherokee Indians were the first ones here, and those early beginnings are displayed at Chucalissa Indian Village with a reconstructed settlement where native Choctaw Indians live and work. Thatched huts, a ceremonial house, and a museum are located on the site, and native tools, weapons and pottery are on display The culture and charm of Memphis have been preserved at Victorian Village. The area contains restored homes of the 1870s a time when horse-draw- n carriages bumped along cobblestone streets and ladies in hoop skirts strolled among the magnolias. These stately homes are evidence of the gracious living enjoyed by a glittering Memphis society during the glory days when cotton reigned supreme. Visitors have many options for exploring Memphis, and getting acquainted with the many facets of this southern community. The Memphis Queen is one of the last of the paddlewheelers of yesteryear, and operates daily excursions on the Mississippi where visitors can explore the nverland wilderness. Libertyland is an amusement park for the family offering attractions spread through three different themed areas and sprinkled with rides, shows, shops, flowers and a waterfall. The 350 wooded acres of Overton Park are the home of the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery and the Memphis Academy of the Arts The Lorraine Motel has been purchased by the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation for the development of a black cultural center Since its birth along the Mississippi in the 1820s when Memphis was a bawdy nverport, through its slave trading period and devastating Yellow Fever epidemics, the city always pulleu itself up by the boo- 3 tstraps and kept growing and changing. It had its glory periods and its depressions and thats what makes it interesting Today the city is cresting toward a new peak, built on its old traditions, laced with a few brand new ideas. Memphians are welcoming visitors with a yall come A city map, brochures and local accommodations information is available by writing the Memphis Visitors Bureau, 12 South Mam St. Suite 107, Memphis, Tenn. 38103. For more information on Memphis and the surrounding areas, write the Tennessee State Tourist Office. P.0 Box 23170, Nashville, Tenn. 37202. i |
