Uptown, Memphis
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Uptown Memphis is a neighborhood located near downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Pinch District are located in the general vicinity.
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[edit] History
[edit] 19th century
Uptown was established in the 1840’s by the Greenlaw Brothers. Partners in the establishing of Uptown were Robert Looney, John and Isaac Saffarans and E.T. Keel. Streets were paved with cobblestone with granite curbs, and were lined with sycamore trees.
Prominent Memphis families built large stately homes in the area. By 1865, blue collar workers began to build smaller homes alongside these homes creating an economically diverse community. Ethnic diversity was the norm. Immigrants from Germany and Ireland moved into the area, as did Jewish immigrants from Europe. Because of this, the area now-know as Greenlaw attracted mostly Northeastern and Mid-Western families, giving the area its own distinctive culture.
In 1870, Greenlaw and Chelsea annexed into Memphis.
[edit] 20th century
The Mississippi River floods Greenlaw in 1912 and stops construction of big homes for the affluent.
In the 1920’s, Political power players begin to move out. Greenlaw begins to lose political muscle. The Government begins to bulldoze older mansions and in many cases leaves empty lots in the 1930's.
Phillip Belz begins industrial development in N. Memphis in the 1940's. The neighborhood begins to attract blue collar workers and African Americans. Bars, liquor stores and juke joints tarnish the family friendly atmospheres.
In an effort to attract more white residents, MHA builds an all white housing development called Hurt Village in the 1950's.
Racial tensions are at a high in the 1960's due to the sanitation strike and assassination of MLK. Most whites who live in Hurt Village leave the area. Since then, most businesses have closed as well as industries. Non-profit groups seek ways to assist the mainly African American residents left in the area.
[edit] 21st century
In 2000, Memphis is awarded the Hope VI grant for demolition of Hurt Village. Uptown is currently becoming a mixed community that is rich in culture and people.
[edit] Notable residents
At one time, Elvis Presley lived in a small government housing project in this area which has since been renovated into a nicer apartment complex.
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
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