Eight Vintage Photos of Main Street Memphis

Eight Vintage Photos of Main Street Memphis

Check out eight vintage photos of Main St. from the amazing digital archives of the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center.

Here's a photo of the Majestic Theatre, before it became a restaurant. Note that it looks almost exactly the same then as it does now.

 Digital Image ©2012, Memphis Public Library & Information Center. All rights reserved. While the Memphis Public Library & Information Center may house an item, it does not necessarily hold the copyright on the item, nor may it be able to determine if the item is still protected under current copyright law. Users are solely responsible for determining the existence of such instances and for obtaining any other permissions and paying associated fees that may be necessary for the intended use. Any image from the library's collection published in any form must cite as the source: Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center. For all requests, please contact the History Department at 901.415.2742 or hisref@memphistn.gov.

Here's an aerial view of Main St. and Madison. Note that, much like today, there are trolleys on the street. Also note that, much like today, the pedestrians on Main don't seem too concerned about them.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Here's the Main St. Easy Way, circa 1949. Note how it completely dwarfs the Kroger to its left. (Is it just me, or does that Kroger look like a fake, bootleg Kroger?)

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Judging by the library archives, Memphians of yore really enjoyed parades. Here are a few pictures of parades on Main St. from the 1940s.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Here's the view from Washington and Main St. I wish the Pizza House (open until 12 a.m.) was still open.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Here's Main Street under water during the 1913 flood. Don't forget to boil your water.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Lastly, here's the view looking north up Main St. from Court, circa 1880.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Check out the rest of the library's vast digital archives here.

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George
And the Main and Madison pic includes our condo. 
December 18, 2012 6:27pm