After finding out Aretha Franklin's childhood home was somewhere we could visit, we decided to go!…read more The place needs a proper prayer and better sense of care than what it has become. The queen of soul was born here in Memphis, Tennessee. A woman that was raised here but became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not only did she become a superstar winning Grammy after Grammy. She was a civil rights servant to so many individuals. She used her voice to and fame to keep the civil rights movement going. She performed free concerts and put gas in the vans for people to drive. This is where she came from, now she's watching from Heaven. This special lady, a preachers daughter. She is remembered always for her love and dedication to humankind. When you're in Memphis, Tennessee next time make sure and stop to see this.

Strolling up to 406 Lucy Avenue--a modest, boarded-up shotgun house in South Memphis--hits you with…read morea mix of reverence and heartbreak. This humble home is where the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, first drew breath on March25,1942 Despite being in a rough spot--windows boarded, weeds creeping, and parts collapsing--it still whispers history at every creak You can't go inside, but stepping onto the porch--or as close as allowed--fills you with awe. This is ground zero for gospel that would later shake the world. Aretha herself returned here in 2014 and recalled memories of her father preaching and her family gathering under a backyard tree with nostalgia and fondness The neighborhood, part of historic Soulsville, bears its own scars--decades of neglect and blight. But the house stands at the center of a hopeful revival. Local activists and preservation groups have fought zoning orders and demolition plans, and as recently as mid-2024, efforts to stabilize and restore the site gained traction--especially now that Anasa Troutman owns the property with the intent to honor its legacy in place

It's easy to walk right past the marker on the corner of South Front Street and G.E. Patterson in…read moreMemphis without realizing you're standing where the city's very first telephone rang to life. Just a simple plaque, no fanfare. But lean in close, and the past starts talking. Back in 1877, before smartphones, before dial tones, before anyone could shout "Can you hear me now?", a railroad superintendent named Mike Burke picked up a brand-new contraption and made a call from his house to the train office. That call was the spark--Memphis's first step into the modern, buzzing world of communication. Now the marker stands quiet among trains, traffic, and city hum. It doesn't need neon lights or a museum around it. Its power is in its simplicity. It marks a moment when a voice crossed a wire and everything changed. Standing there, it's kind of wild to think: this little corner, now mostly walked past without a glance, is where Memphis first connected. Where someone spoke, someone answered, and the world got just a little smaller.

Cool little tidbit of history in Memphis. We take so much for history and now carry phones in our…read morepockets. This must have indeed been a big deal to Memphis, Tennessee back in the day. This landmark sign is located in front of the dog park.

I am reviewing the Waffle Shop at Calvary Episcopal Church. The food was very good. We tried the…read morewaffle which was very fluffy!! The chocolate mousse dessert was good but very sweet. My friend and I shared the fish pudding plate that had fish pudding, corn sticks, cole slaw and potatoes. The fish pudding is like a casserole. I was happily surprised. It was made with a lot of catfish, celery, onions, breading and yummy seasonings. We enjoyed it. The corn sticks were a little dry. The potatoes were quite tasty and I liked the coleslaw. Coffee was okay. The people and service was spot on! The volunteers were so nice, friendly and helpful. My friend and I plan on making this event a yearly outing. They offer a lenten service after but we could not stay for it. We will return again.

Closed and secured on a Saturday afternoon, which is a bummer as this is a beautiful church on the…read moreoutside and I would expect it to be just as lovely on the inside. Plenty to see outside though. The marker out front reads, "The oldest public building in Memphis and the first Episcopal Church in Shelby County. Organized August 6, 1832 by the Reverend Thomas Wright. The church house started 1838 was consecrated May 12, 1844 by the Right Reverend James Hervey Otey, first Bishop of Tennessee, the Reverend Philip W. Alston, Rector. The Reverend Robert P. Atkinson, Rector, 1969." There is street parking nearby. [Review 19852 overall - 404 in Tennessee - 825 of 2023.]

What a great area of town to visit, hang out, and play. I absolutely love the Cooper/Young area…read more Some of my favorite shops and restaurants are located right here! For years I swore as soon as the kids were grown, we were moving to this neighborhood. No doubt, this is where I wanted to be. You can easily access just about anything you could possibly ever need within a half mile radius of the corner of Cooper and Young. In fact, you probably don't need it if you can't find it here. Unfortunately, the area is getting hit hard with crime. I went down a side street not long ago and every single car on the street had a window busted out. I decided then I would rather just do what I said at the beginning of this review. Visit, hang out, and play.... No longer do I desire to live in the area, but I will come mess with you all pretty often. Y'all keep the lights on, now. Stay safe. '24 - 84/102

Great little store with so much to offer for various gift ideas. My friend purchased some candles…read moreand other stocking stuffer type items. The atmosphere here is so inviting and the staff was friendly.

Jacqueline Smith has spent 37 years protesting outside the motel where MLK was fatally shot in…read more1968. After being forcibly removed from the premises when it closed, she has devoted her life to protecting his legacy. As the motel door of room 303 was prised open by 4 officers burst into Jacqueline Smith's home of 11 years, picked her up & carried her along the balcony, down the steps and on to the street below. She was the last resident of the Lorraine Motel. Her eviction was captured on page 16 of the New York Times that day in March 1988, under the headline "Eviction empties motel where Dr King died". "You people are making a mistake," Smith said, while sobbing. "If I can't live at The Lorraine, I'll camp out on the sidewalk out front." Today Jacqueline Smith was dressed in a black hat, scarf & dark clothes, she sits at a table, surveying the scene from behind her sunglasses. Pointedly, she has her back to the Memphis memorial to Martin Luther King. For me, she was a reminder of the people still left behind. She's a sad statement about the way we care for the most vulnerable across the street from a multimillion dollar Museum.

This marker is at one end of Memphis's famous Beale Street which makes sense as this neighborhood…read morewas once a thriving area for black commerce and culture. The area was home to many Black-owned businesses, clubs, restaurants, and shops and was the headquarters of Ida B. Wells' anti-segregationist newspaper, "Free Speech." The green marker has the white text on both sides, reading "The first free 'colored' school in the city was opened in early 1863 in a barrack building in South Memphis. In 1864 the U.S. Army issued a general order authorizing its officers to help with these schools for the education of freedmen. In 1865 there were 9 schools here. All were burned during the May 1866 race riot. In 1868-69 there were again 9 schools in operation in various locations in the city. One of these schools was located in this area." The marker was erected in 1980 by Shelby County Historical Commission. If you're checking out Beale Street, take a moment to recognize the struggles and how hard some people fought against equality. [Review 19970 overall - 412 in Tennessee - 944 of 2023.]

I'm so glad I stopped in! This is a beautiful library for the community. They literally have…read moresomething for all ages. I took my toddler just to explore and see what they have to offer for his age range and I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the amount of resources. When I pulled into the parking lot, there were plenty of places to park. I also noticed a place to charge electric cars! Nice touch to a modern day facility. There is a blood pressure station as soon as you walk in. I tried to check mine, but my toddler wouldn't let me sit still long enough. When then walked to the front desk and they showed us to the children's area. It was super inviting with multiple stations to learn and play! There were coloring sheets, puzzles, legos, blocks, and so much more. I also loved the unique reading areas with a huge selection of books! We checked out four of them! I loved the outdoor play area. It's so kid friendly and clean. The staff were absolutely amazing! They were helpful. Matter of fact, they selected the books for me to check out. My toddler got a little fussy and they didn't hesitate to assist. I appreciate them for that. This will definitely be somewhere we add to our weekly routine. Love it!

Decent library in Southaven, Mississippi that is located by the police department and city hall…read more The staff was friendly and it was good to be just in a library and remember the amount of time during my childhood that I spent in a library.

I love libraries. When we travel I like to visit local libraries as they need our support. This one…read moredid not disappoint. They have a summer reading program which gives away free books. It was also very easy to get a guest pass to use computer and print some documents I needed. They have a great used book section. Their book and dvd selection was extensive. Top it all off with a friendly staff and I give it 5 stars.