Downtown Core

Originally known as the Columbian Mutual Tower, the Lincoln American Tower, which sits at the corner of North Main and North Court Avenue, was one of the first steel frame skyscrapers in the city, holding the title of Tallest Building in Memphis until 1930.

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Image credit: Columbian Mutual Tower, 1924. The M Files, DIG MEMPHIS.

Madison Avenue between Front Street and Main was once referred to as “the Wall Street of Memphis”. Today, the buildings on the north have all disappeared, while most of the structures on the south side remain, now occupied by the Hu Hotel and Metro 67. The old U.S Post Office also survived and is currently home to the University of Memphis Law School.

Image credit: Madison Avenue. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

Originally opening on February 12, 1915, as a silent movie theatre called New Majestic No. 1, the Majestic has had a number of tenants in its 100+ year history, including the men’s clothing store seen here. Today, it is home to one of Memphis’ most popular restaurants: The Majestic Grille.

Image credit: Hart-Schaffner & Marx Clothes. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

The view down Madison Avenue from the old U.S Post Office (currently Univ. of Memphis Law School) is quite different from 1895. Carriage traffic is replaced with cars, and the original buildings and trolley are gone; however, the street still slightly rises in the same spot.

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Image credit: Madison Avenue. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

Businesses have changed, but many structures along Union Avenue are the same as seen in 1954. On the right, the Cotton Exchange sits on the SE corner, and the Peabody Hotel, with its distinctive sign, is visible on the south side of Union in the distance.

Image credit: Union Avenue in downtown Memphis, 1954. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

Looking south at the intersection of Main & Beale, the first thing one might notice is the Orpheum Theatre, formerly called the Malco from 1940 to 1977. The recently renovated and renamed Chisca on Main is also visible in the distance. The eastern side of the block, now dominated by MLGW’s Main Office, was once home to a variety of buildings and businesses.

Image credit: Main and Beale. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

The intersection of Beale Street and Hernando was a popular spot in the early 20th century. Pee Wee’s saloon, as seen in the distance, was a favorite meeting spot for many Memphis musicians, including W. C. Handy, who wrote his first “Blues” song at the saloon’s cigar counter.

Image credit: Battier’s Drugs on Beale Street. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

Sitting at the corner of North Court Avenue and Second Street, the Tennessee Club-Overall Goodbar Building is one of the few remaining structures seen in the 1907 postcard. Also visible are the Calvary Episcopal tower and the rebuilt spire of First United Methodist Church.

Image credit: Second Street at Court Square. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.

Downtown was home to multiple movie palaces, including the ornate Warner Theatre, seen here in the 1930s photograph. Opening in 1921, the theater was one of the most photographed buildings on Main before it was demolished in 1969. Most of the other buildings remain in place, including the Broadnax Building (left), Lincoln American Tower (center), and the Commerce Title Building (right).

Image credit: Main Street. Memphis Streetscapes Collection, DIG MEMPHIS.