Midtown, Memphis

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Midtown is one of the 5 defined districts of Memphis, Tennessee, USA containing different individual areas loosely defined as Danny Thomas on the West, North Parkway and Summer to the North, Highland to the East and Lamar and Park to the South.

[edit] Overview

It is considered by many to be one of the most distinct areas of Memphis. Architecturally, Midtown is marked with residential vintage housing, specialty stores, and high-rise buildings, often all located on the same avenue. This is partly due to the fact that much of Midtown was constructed prior to the enactment of Euclidian zoning laws, and it is not uncommon to see an apartment complex nestled inside of a neighborhood. Culturally, midtown has a very diverse population, having an evenly distributed black and white population, as well as a notable Asian population. This diversity, has gotten Midtown Memphis noted in several magazines, for having "the best Memphis has to offer right at your doorstep." This slogan eventually inspired a bumper sticker that can be seen throughout the city, which proclaims "Midtown is Memphis."

Midtown is the center of the city's gay and lesbian community and is the location of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center as well as gay night clubs and annual pride events.

[edit] Boundaries

The exact boundaries of Midtown are often disputed. Generally, it is the area between the Medical District to the west and East Memphis to the east. Some will say the eastern boundary line is East Parkway, others the CN RR line just past East Parkway, others as far east as Highland Street. The northern boundary is just as difficult to find agreement on. Some will say North Parkway, others the abandoned L&N RR line that runs NE, still others put it as far north as Jackson and even Vollintine. The southern line to Midtown is roughly the Union Pacific/CSX RR line east to McLean, south down McLean to Norfolk Southern RR line and east the eastern boundary, be it East Parkway, CN RR, or Highland. The least disputed boundary of Midtown is the western border, which is commonly regarded as the Midtown section of Interstate 240.

Midtown is bisected by three primary east-west avenues:

Union, which since World War II has served as the area's main commercial artery;
Poplar, which is largely fronted by 1920s apartment buildings;
Madison, which served as pre-war Memphis' main east-west corridor. Madison Avenue was once the location of the "Dummy Line", the main east-west streetcar line that went from downtown to the Fairgrounds (east along Madison, south down Cooper, and east along Young), and many commercial and residential structures along the avenue date to the beginning of the twentieth century. Most of this stretch of Madison contains its original granite curbs, and in a few locations the original brick pavers can be seen in the gutters.

The slogan and bumper sticker "Midtown Is Memphis" were created in 1993 by Midtowners John Branston and Tom Foster as part of a promotional campaign.

[edit] Attractions

Midtown contains Overton Park which includes the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo, and the Memphis College of Art. It is also known for its many bars and restaurants, many of them featuring live music at nights. These include Huey's, Young Avenue Deli, Zinnie's, The Lamplighter, and others. Located in Cooper Young are also coffehouses, restaurants and bars, including Young Avenue Deli and Java Cabana. Located in midtown Memphis is also a local movie theatre, Studio On The Square.

The Cooper-Young Festival is also held annually at the intersection of Cooper and Young, in Midtown.