History of Memphis

Memphis’s history is fraught with issues facing minorities. Long before the city of Memphis was established, the area was inhabited by the Chickasaw Indians who remained in the region until forced out in 1818 by the abundance of settlers. In 1541, Spaniard explorer Hernanado DeSoto first visited the area but the area was not established until over 100 years later by Frenchmen Sieur de LaSalle around 1682. In 1763, the English overtook the area upon defeating the French during the French and Indian War, despite the Memphis region legally belonging to the Chickasaw Indians by treaty. Thus Memphis area was now home to the French, English, Spanish, and Native Americans and not unexpectedly, conflict arose amongst the groups. These squabbles continued until 1796 when Tennessee became a state.

By 1819, Memphis only had about 50 residents, but as a result of its
river location, it quickly became a destination for many immigrants such from Germany and Ireland. As more and more immigrants populated the city, they began to build Memphis into the great city it is today by establishing churches, businesses, and building railways. The city was finally incorporated in 1826 by John Overton, James Winchester, and Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson. The city grew quickly and by the 1860s, over 22,000 people were living in Memphis.

Like many southern cities, Memphis became an economic center for
cotton production. Due to its Mississippi River location, many large
plantations sprouted up along the rich river delta soil. Working these plantations fell to the hands of African slaves. Cotton became the primary product produced on Memphis plantations. During its peak, Memphis was the center of 40% of the cotton market. This slave labor base became key to the economic development and success of Memphis. Even the first four city squares named Exchange, Market, Court, and Auction emphasized the impact of slavery on the Memphis community.

The city’s slave dependence and central transportation location created tensions during the Civil War. Tennessee’s interests were split during the Civil War and thus, Memphis exchanged hands between the Union and Confederate numerous times and became the site of many famous and defining battles. As a Union territory from 1860-1870, the Memphis community became a popular haven for former slaves who were freed as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Black population quadrupled during this period. As it grew, more and more freedoms and powers were granted to the black Memphis community such as the right to assemble, worship, and read. Blacks were even becoming influential leaders in local politics.

Yet, in spite of the progress of Memphis’s black community, conflict still occurred. In 1866, a riot resulted from built up resentment between the groups and ended with 44 blacks and two whites dead with hundreds of others wounded. As if Memphis hadn’t already faced enough hardships in its growth as a city, in 1878 a massive yellow fever epidemic swept through the city. Unfortunately, 80% of the population was infected and 25% of those perished. After many people fled the area for fear of catching their death and many others perished, Memphis’s population fell so drastically that the state of Tennessee revoked their city charter in 1879.

Fortunately, however, the city was aided greatly by black millionaire,
Robert R. Church, who later founded the NAACP, when he purchased the first $1,000 bond from the city. Church also created the first public recreation center for blacks. Church’s efforts helped restore the city,
and as a result, Memphis regained its charter in the 1880s.

Throughout the late 1800s and up through the mid 1900s, Memphis
was the location of many battles against injustice for blacks in America. For instance, the famous Ida. B. Wells published a newspaper with articles that addressed riots, segregation, and the lynching of local black business owners. Her efforts helped draw national attention to these issues. In regards for civil rights, Memphis is perhaps known best for the City of Memphis Sanitation Workers Union strike in 1968 which famous Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King visited Memphis to support. Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated while in Memphis at the Lorraine Hotel on April 4, 1968. In 2002, in memory of Dr. King’s life long efforts for achieving equality for all races, the city of Memphis constructed the National Civil
Rights Museum.

Another defining era in Memphis history was the reign of E.H. "Boss"
Crump as Memphis’s "mayor." While in actuality, "Boss" Crump only
officially served as mayor from only 1910-1915, his money and political influence kept him reign of the city until the early 1950s. Through his efforts to better the city, though marked with an undertone of self-gain, Crump put Memphis on the path to becoming a strong industrial center, financially firm, and a sound citizen serving government, which it still maintains today.

Although the city of Memphis has faced its share of difficulties during
its development, yet it now certainly has much to boast about. Today,
with a population of 627,802, it is the 18^th largest city in the United
States and the largest in Tennessee. It is a popular tourist destination
not only for its unique and vibrant history, but for its revitalized
downtown, music industry, restaurant and nightclub developed Beale
Street, restored Mud Island, the grand Memphis Pyramid, and the
use of the old Main Street Trolley system.

Memphis History
http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=296

http://www.crye-leike.com/buyerseller/memphishistory.php?sid=do78vash3aol08jaaj822dva21

http://www.memphisite.com/about/memphishistory.htm

Picture: Cotton King
http://www.africanaonline.com/civilwar_causes.htm

Picture: National Civil Rights Museum
http://home.earthlink.net/~hamer.institute/resources/04LMKphotos
/LMK28.html