Backbeat Tours’ True Crime Tour Uncovers the Dark Secrets of Memphis

When Backbeat Tours announced its latest offering, the Memphis True Crime Tour, I couldn’t wait to hear the gripping stories they explore and learn about the lasting impacts they’ve had on our city.

I had the pleasure of joining a tour led by Shannon, our knowledgeable and animated guide, and Mr. Michael, our experienced driver. We were also joined by Sheena, the history buff who researched and produced the tour.

Our tour group met at Alfred’s on Beale where we had the opportunity to enjoy a drink or two while waiting for the bus to arrive. Upon boarding, we were encouraged to bring our own bottles of water, sodas, and yes, even cocktails along for the ride.

Our adventure began with an overview of the Yellow Fever epidemic and the devastating effects it had on the Memphis area. That information transitioned seamlessly into the stories we would hear about the city’s resurgence fueled by vice–gin, gambling, and girls.

We learned our way through the darker side of Beale Street’s history, exploring the haunting legacy of The Monarch Club, which was also known as “The Castle of Missing Men.” How did it get that nickname? You’ll have to take the tour to find out. The building that housed the infamous tavern now happens to be a Memphis Police Department precinct.

Next, we were introduced to Georgia Tann, whose greed led to the kidnappings of at least 5,000 children as part of her black market adoption scheme in the late 1920s. She died before she could be held accountable for her crimes, but the unraveling of her deceitful web led to the implementation of federal rules in adoption laws.

About 30 minutes into the tour, we disembarked to stretch our legs and walk a one-block area of Downtown Memphis that served as the backdrop for three different crimes.

At Fourth Bluff Park, high society collided with forbidden love and madness in 1892. The tragic story of Alice Mitchell and Frida Ward sparked an interesting discussion between a friend and I about the fine line between love and obsession.

In Court Square, we learned about the petty (and disheveled) life and death of slave trader Wade Bolton, whose unfavorable legacy managed to become the namesake of Bolton High School.

The essence of the tour lies in its unsolved mysteries, ranging from Smith Pyne Bankhead's mysterious murder to the disappearance of Jasper Smith, each of whom represents the city’s oldest cold and missing persons cases, respectively.

As the tour came to an end, I found myself reflecting on everything I learned over the course of the 90-minute experience. Our guide detailed the chilling reign of a serial killer who haunted Memphis in the late 1960s. We explored a murder intertwined with the nightlife scenes of both Memphis and Mississippi. We visited the favored haunt of gangster Machine Gun Kelly, where he often celebrated his criminal exploits. We stood in the shadows where one of the most notorious black widows used to roam the streets of Memphis.

From infamous criminals to murder and unsolved mysteries, Backbeats’ Memphis True Crime Tour opened a window into the darker side of Memphis' past. Each stop on the tour peeled back a new layer of the city’s rich–and often mysterious–history. This true-crime tour not only entertained, but educated, shedding light on the lasting impacts these crimes have had on the city of Memphis–and beyond.

BOOK A TOUR

The Memphis True Crime Tour lasts 90 minutes. Adult tickets are $30 and $15 for children ages 5 to 12.

Currently, the tour is offered daily at 4:30 p.m. Check availability to book your tour today.

Backbeat Tours also offers the following a Memphis Mojo Tour (a musical journey featuring Memphis attractions), ghost tours, Memphis Discovery tour featuring attractions and bbq, walking tours on Beale Street and downtown historic spots, and an Elvis & Johnny Cash tour.