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Aretha Franklin Birthplace

4.3 (3 reviews)

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11 months ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker - Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker, Memphis

Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker

3.7(3 reviews)
2.3 mi•Downtown

Strange to see this marker in front of our hotel. I didn't realize Piggly Wiggly is from Memphis &…read morethey were America's first true self-service grocery store . Clarence Saunders founded the supermarket in Memphis, in 1916. In grocery stores of that time, shoppers presented their orders to clerks who then gathered the goods from the store shelves. Saunders, a dynamic & innovative man, noticed that this method resulted in time and expense wasted, so he came up with an unheard-of solution that would revolutionize the entire grocery industry. He created a way for shoppers to serve themselves. Piggy Wiggly supermarkets are still in business today.

The Piggly Wiggly marker in downtown Memphis may not seem like much at first glance--just a humble…read moreplaque outside a historic storefront--but for anyone who's ever set foot in a modern grocery store, it's where the whole thing began. This was the site of the world's first self-service grocery store, opened by Clarence Saunders in 1916. Before this place, shopping meant handing your list to a clerk who fetched your items. But Saunders changed everything, letting customers roam the aisles, pick their own goods, and--revolutionary idea--read price tags. Standing there, you can almost picture early shoppers wandering through the aisles for the first time, baskets in hand, probably confused and delighted. It's a quiet spot on a busy street, easy to miss if you're rushing--but if you pause, it feels like standing at the start of something massive. Like someone invented not just a store, but a way of life. It's not flashy, but it's sacred ground for retail nerds, Southern storytellers, and anyone who ever enjoyed impulse-buying snacks at checkout. The Piggly Wiggly marker is a tribute to bold ideas and grocery carts--who knew a grocery store could have so much history?

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Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker - Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker, Memphis

Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker, Memphis

Piggly Wiggly Historical Marker

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Mud Island Park

Mud Island Park

3.4(73 reviews)
2.4 mi•Downtown

Mud Island Park in Memphis--sounds like a place where you'd expect to get your shoes stuck and your…read moreclothes ruined. Spoiler alert: no mud, just a whole lot of chill vibes and some seriously underrated views of the Mississippi River. You hop on the monorail, which feels like a low-key retro space mission, and zoom over the water with the Memphis skyline photobombing every shot. The Riverwalk--this giant scale model of the Mississippi--is like geography class got cool and decided to throw a party. Walking the entire river in flip-flops while dodging kids launching into the splash fountains? Perfect way to get your steps in and your funny stories ready. Bonus points for the picnic spots, perfect for pretending you're fancy while eating a sandwich you packed in your car. If you're in Memphis and want a little riverfront chill without the mud, Mud Island's your spot. Five stars and zero mud in sight!

Quality/Quantity - Memphis TN's welcome center suggested we walk over here and check it out…read more I bet in its heyday, this place was a great retreat from the "city." This place can use some love, but we still had a good time and enjoyed it. The tram was also out of order, but it was fun walking across the bridge. Atmosphere - An island off of Memphis. Most of this island needs love. Looked abandoned for a long time. Open 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm. Easy walk from the welcome center. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - If the city, county, and state were to invest a little $$ here, I can see how this could easily be 5 stars.

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Mud Island Park
Mud Island Park - 10/25/24 FYI.

10/25/24 FYI.

Mud Island Park

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Aretha Franklin Birthplace - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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