The Sultana: The Greatest Maritime Disaster in US History. Yes,... even worse than The Titanic…read more This disaster received little public attention, as it took place at the end of the Civil War, after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the day after John Wilkes Booth was killed. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. Under the terms of the surrender agreement, POWs were to be freed and sent home as soon as possible. Union prisoners from Andersonville, GA and Cahaba, AL were sent to Vicksburg, MS to ship home up the MS River. The government offered to pay boat owners $5 per enlisted man and $10 per officer transported. The Sultana left Vicksburg on April 24th with more than 2,300 prisoners of war (plus an additional number of crew and passengers and a large shipment of sugar bound for Memphis). It's legal carrying capacity was only 376 passengers. The Sultana had pulled into Vicksburg at about the same time as two other boats (the Pauline Caroll and the Lady Gay); however, those 2 boats left with 0 soldiers. To make matters worse, a boiler had to be patched while in port at Vicksburg. The mechanic warned it would need to be properly fixed once up north. At about 2am on April 27th 1865, the steamboat's boilers exploded. Over 1,800 of the Sultana's +2,300 passengers were killed just north of Marion, Arkansas. The 1,800 people were burned to death, drowned or died of hypothermia. After the disaster, people wanted to determine the cause of the Sultana explosion as well as why it was so overcrowded. Many concluded that Mason, the captain and part owner of the Sultana, bribed Union officers into letting him transport as many freed prisoners as possible so that he would make lots of money; however, Mason was killed in the accident. Captain Frederick Speed, a Union army officer, was found guilty of overcrowding the Sultana. But his verdict was overturned by the army. So in the end, the U.S. Army never punished anyone for the disaster.

This is a terrific museum dedicated to a disaster that has largely been forgotten, lost in the…read moreaftermath of the Civil War. There is a great introductory film, and then several rooms of artifacts and interpretive material about this event, the largest maritime loss of life in American history. The passionate and deeply knowledgeable guide made our visit very special. Highly recommended.

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

To some 406 Lucy Avenue Memphis TN 38106 is just a boarded up house in a blighted neighborhood…read more However to those that love music history and nostalgia this is sacred. Why is it sacred? Because the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was born here. Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 26, 1942 in Memphis Tennessee. I cannot imagine what it was like back in those times but to see where she came from to what she became in her life is astounding. The dwelling is marked as a Historical Landmark but it is unkempt and not restored. I pray that some group be it her family or her fans find a way to restore it and make it a museum.

John Elkington,envisioned attractions & amenities that would connect the street's rich past with…read morethe future. Elkington's idea for the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame offered this connection, as visitors from all over the world can read the names of the talented people who put Memphis music & Beale St on the map. There were brief biographies of the honorees, offering a glimpse into the lives of the musicians, composers, disc jockeys, promoters & music supporters whose names grace the sidewalks of Beale Street.

Beale Street wasn't always famous. It wasn't always such a tourist destination. And for a period,…read moreit wasn't anything much at all. That changed and these notes in the ground honor the people who helped make this area what it is - disc jockeys, promoters, musicians and music supporters. A few examples. Elvis Presley (1935-1977), the King of Rock and Roll. Robert Leroy Johnson (1911-1938). One of the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ranked as one #5 of the top 100 Guitarists of All Time. B.B. King (1925-2015). The "Beale Street Blues Boy" and Grammy Award winner. Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022). Wrote the "Great Balls of Fire" and continued performing late into life. Otis Redding (1941-1967). In 1962, Otis recorded "These Arms of Mine". Walk the walk. read the Notes and read up on these great folks. Nearly 200 Notes so far. [Review 19858 overall - 410 in Tennessee - 831 of 2023.]

My spouse and I came here while we were in Memphis. For anyone who is interested in American…read morehistory, especially in the south. This is one spot you will want to check out as this was a house that was used during the underground railroad that runway slaves would come as a safe spot to hide before running off to the northern states. If you are in the area I would highly recommend visited it. [Review #722] (20th Review of 2024)

0 stars as this place is NOT open, IS abandoned and IS scary…read more The surrounding neighborhood is a little uncomfortable for two white women walking through. Seems to be a low income area. Yelp said this museum was open but clearly has not been for quite some time:

My friend visited me in Memphis, so I took her to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid…read more The interior has a really cool wilderness theme and feels way more grand and unique than a typical Bass Pro store. We also went up to the observation deck at the top, which was such a fun experience. The view over the city and the Mississippi River was amazing. The only thing I wish is that we had gone at sunset. It would've been even more beautiful. A Must-Visit for friend visiting!

The hotel inside the pyramid was awesome. The decor of the hotel is exactly how we like it, the…read moreoutdoor type feel and ambiance was perfect!. Neatest hotel we have ever stayed in (if you like the outdoor type). S'mores on the deck outside at night over the fire was perfect. Definitely will be back

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.

In 1980 the world's first bronze Elvis statue was unveiled on Beale Street, where the future King…read moreof Rock & Roll crafted his early musical style. It was taken down in 1994 & moved indoors to the downtown Memphis Tennessee Welcome Center. That left Elvis Presley Plaza with a big, empty spot. It was finally filled in 1997 with the arrival of a new, completely different bronze Elvis statue by sculptor Andrea Lugar. This Elvis, unlike the original, shows him as he would have looked on Beale Street circa 1955, wearing a stage outfit he might have bought at Lansky Bros. down the block.

"It's not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it's who you are." -Elvis…read more There is the Godfather of Soul, the Godmother of Rock & Roll, an artist simply named Prince but there's only "The King" aka the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Widely considered the most influential and most famous musician of the 20th century. This statue on Beale Street depicts him with his knees bent and a guitar in hand. You can almost hear him singing one of his early tunes. The statue is surrounded by a low wall with signs prohibiting climbing over. So this is as close as you get. [Review 19855 overall - 407 in Tennessee - 828 of 2023.]

I purchased tickets in advance of our June vacation on 1/20/26 to the Mallory-Neely House. Well, we…read morefinally are on our vacation and tried to go to our appointment on 6/27/26 at 2:30 and no one was there at the house. In fact there were unhoused individuals sleeping on the property. My husband walked around the house and he said it looks as though it's been a while since someone was on property. Now I'm going to have to try and get a refund for services NOT rendered. We stayed around there for over 15 minutes and no one showed up. I've tried calling before back in January, left a message and my call was never returned. I tried calling yesterday and no one answered. VERY disappointed as I wanted to see the beauty of this house and I came all the way from Seattle to do it but no one was there at our scheduled time to let us in.

One of the top highlights of our trip to Memphis! Amazing home, fully restored! Our tour guide Mark…read morewas so fantastic, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and made the house really come alive! Excellent experience and well worth it.

The cultural impact on the U.S. and the music recording industry being celebrated by this museum is…read moreextremely important! But there isn't much to the museum itself. With a 90-minute tour recommended, it's a very quick loop that can be made in about 20 minutes, even if you savor the exhibits. The on-stage clothing from various celebrities like Al Green, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash is all very interesting! The impact of black musicians is evident, something that should be heralded. Ike Turner's first piano is a pleasant surprise! And perhaps the crown jewel of the exhibit comes at the very end, the Ardent Studios soundboard that mixed albums for every group ranging from Led Zeppelin to Juvenile, old school rock to modern hip hop. But the tour is far too short to warrant the $16 entry fee.

Loved it. Interesting museum to check out if you're into rock and roll and the blues. This is an…read moreamazing place to visit. It is right next to the FedEx building, just off Beale Street, so very central. Excellent collection of old memorabilia from musical instruments, clothes,posters and the most amazing jukeboxes. There is a short video when you first arrive to introduce you to what you will see. I enjoyed the costumes of Reverend Al Green and Carla Thomas and others . Definitely worth checking out.A++++