As you walk down South Main, you’re a part of its legendary history. The buildings, most of them constructed in the early 1900s, are museum-quality architectural gems. And the stories that have transpired inside their walls over the past century show the quirky, innovative, individualistic spirit of the neighborhood.
Until 1850, what is now South Main was actually a separate city from Memphis - the city of South Memphis - and the boundary was Union Avenue. South Memphis was the residential suburb of Memphis and remained that way until the early 1900’s when the railroad stations were built. Because of Memphis’ geographical location in the country, it was a perfect city to become a center for railroad traffic. As a result, South Main began to transform from a residential neighborhood into a business center to support the booming railroad traffic. The vast majority of the buildings you still see along South Main were built by business owners between 1910 and 1925 as a result of this boom.
Until 1850, what is now South Main was actually a separate city from Memphis - the city of South Memphis - and the boundary was Union Avenue. South Memphis was the residential suburb of Memphis and remained that way until the early 1900’s when the railroad stations were built. Because of Memphis’ geographical location in the country, it was a perfect city to become a center for railroad traffic. As a result, South Main began to transform from a residential neighborhood into a business center to support the booming railroad traffic. The vast majority of the buildings you still see along South Main were built by business owners between 1910 and 1925 as a result of this boom.
The 140-room Ambassador Hotel was built in 1915, and like other hotels in South Main, was considered modest and affordable. The hotel originally consisted of three buildings, one of which burned down. The building which faces Vance called Ambassador Commons originally provided housing for non-white patrons and hotel staff during the period of racial segregation. This vacant annex was converted to condo units in 2005.
By the 1950s, the railroad industry was beginning to crumble along with supporting businesses. Fewer stops to Memphis meant fewer customers for South Main businesses. At the same time, manufacturing began migrating east to industrial parks leaving many large warehouses vacant and falling into disrepair. The assassination of Dr. King at the Lorraine Hotel in 1968 and the ensuing riots were the final blow for South Main. The Arcade Restaurant, which had been opened since 1919 24-hours a day, had to close its doors for the first time in 70 years during the riots.
Ironically, South Main was saved because it was abandoned and neglected. The historic, architecturally significant buildings were kept intact because no developers were interested in the area. So the buildings in South Main look much like they did when they were built in the 1910-1925.
South Main’s renaissance truly began in 1982 when Robert McGowan and Annie Mahaffey bought 418 South Main as their home and art studio, and other artists followed. Artists and creatives were drawn to South Main’s historic charm, low property prices, and the ability to find large live/work studios. Robert in particular became a staunch advocate for South Main, lobbying the city for much-needed infrastructure and code enforcement to save and preserve the history buildings.
The movie and film community recognized South Main’s gritty time capsule of architecture and began using it as a backdrop for many films. Mystery Train, an indie movie by Jim Jarmusch, was filmed in South Main in 1989 paving the way for other movies to follow: The Firm, Walk The Line, Great Balls of fire, Elizabethtown, Hustle & Flow, and others.
More awareness of the neighborhood came with the openings of major anchors like the National Civil Rights Museum (1991), the Trolley Line (1993) and the re-opening of Central Station (1999) along with new apartments. Today there are more than 2,500 people living in South Main drawn to the neighborhoods charm, walkability and proximity to all of Downtown’s amenities (more than half are over the age of 45).
South Main has 34 retailers and 25 restaurants - all except one are locally-owned and operated. South Main has kept true to its origins by being a neighborhood built on the backs of local entrepreneurs. Creatives and artists are still drawn to South Main. The Memphis College of Art moved its Graduate School to South Main in 2010. Attractions and events like the National Civil Rights Museum, The Orpheum, RiverArts Festival, Memphis Farmers Market, Trolley Nights, Jack Robinson Gallery, Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum draw hundreds of thousands of people to South Main each year.
Ironically, South Main was saved because it was abandoned and neglected. The historic, architecturally significant buildings were kept intact because no developers were interested in the area. So the buildings in South Main look much like they did when they were built in the 1910-1925.
South Main’s renaissance truly began in 1982 when Robert McGowan and Annie Mahaffey bought 418 South Main as their home and art studio, and other artists followed. Artists and creatives were drawn to South Main’s historic charm, low property prices, and the ability to find large live/work studios. Robert in particular became a staunch advocate for South Main, lobbying the city for much-needed infrastructure and code enforcement to save and preserve the history buildings.
The movie and film community recognized South Main’s gritty time capsule of architecture and began using it as a backdrop for many films. Mystery Train, an indie movie by Jim Jarmusch, was filmed in South Main in 1989 paving the way for other movies to follow: The Firm, Walk The Line, Great Balls of fire, Elizabethtown, Hustle & Flow, and others.
More awareness of the neighborhood came with the openings of major anchors like the National Civil Rights Museum (1991), the Trolley Line (1993) and the re-opening of Central Station (1999) along with new apartments. Today there are more than 2,500 people living in South Main drawn to the neighborhoods charm, walkability and proximity to all of Downtown’s amenities (more than half are over the age of 45).
South Main has 34 retailers and 25 restaurants - all except one are locally-owned and operated. South Main has kept true to its origins by being a neighborhood built on the backs of local entrepreneurs. Creatives and artists are still drawn to South Main. The Memphis College of Art moved its Graduate School to South Main in 2010. Attractions and events like the National Civil Rights Museum, The Orpheum, RiverArts Festival, Memphis Farmers Market, Trolley Nights, Jack Robinson Gallery, Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum draw hundreds of thousands of people to South Main each year.
* www.gosouthmain.com