Many of the remaining mystery photographs in our Memphis Streetscapes Collection depict areas undergoing various types of construction. This image of Castalia Street from 1938 is one such example. Taken in May of 1938, the photograph includes a caption on the back, stating, “Castalia – before resurfacing.” Can you pinpoint this location on Castalia Street?
SOLVED!!
This mystery was first solved on our Instagram page. Emily Baum noted that the intersection looked like Castalia and Carnes. She pointed out that you can still see the two houses on the right, and the second house from the corner on the left is also still there! Phoebe Moore added further confirmation, stating, “if you zoom in on the utility pole on the right, near the intersection, it looks like the cross street name begins with “C” which would be Carnes.”
This places our photographer on Castalia Street, between Lamar Avenue and Carnes Avenue, near the coordinates 35.113100, -89.994910.