In Memory...

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I Have a Dream" delivered August 28 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

Edited to add: A few of my Flickr photos were requested by a Canadian photo site...if you would like to see more photos from around the nation related to Dr. King's Day, please click here.

(Please click on the image above...Blogger is cutting off the right-hand portion of this photo)
Images from the Lorraine Motel/National Civil Rights Museum...

Memorial at the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King...

The older, original Hotel building of the Lorraine...

Another view of the memorial site. The interior of the room has been left exactly as it was the day of the assassination.

The Lorraine, Motel side...


The gate (incorporating one of his famous quotes) that leads to the gift shop and building from which James Earl Ray committed the assassination.

"I may not get there with you, but I want you to know that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land."

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Mountaintop speech, April 3, 1968, Memphis

Rev. Jesse Jackson, National Civil Rights Museum

My DH and I took our son to see the Mississippi River at flood stage, and then stopped by the National Civil Rights Museum before heading home. Tomorrow is the 40th Anniversary commemoration of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, and there is quite a bit of preparation and activity at the Museum, originally the Lorraine Hotel (the site of his assassination 40 years ago tomorrow). BTW, today is the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, delivered April 3 1968, at Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), in Memphis, Tennessee.

When we arrived at the museum, Rev. Jesse Jackson was standing in front of the museum, greeting a few people before going inside the building. My son and I considered walking up to meet him, but he was only outside for a minute or two. The gentleman to the left in the photo seemed very interested in what we were doing...we think he may have been a bodyguard.

All of the major national and international news outlets (CNN, BBC, NBC, etc) were there today (photo above), and will be televising portions of the activities from the museum grounds tomorrow.

Clickable links are in bold color script.

BB King Statue

This is the statue of blues legend BB King in the Memphis Visitors' Welcome Center on Riverside Drive in Downtown Memphis. I love the detail in this statue and think that it's a wonderful likeness of Mr. King. He has a blues club here in Memphis on Beale Street, which I shared here last month.

I have to admit that I had never visited our Visitors' Center before today (typical city "native", right? :), and it is quite nice. The Center has wonderful views of the Mississippi River, Mud Island, the M Bridge, and lots of information about fun and interesting places to visit in Memphis and throughout Tennessee.

March Theme Day...Murals, Graffiti, and Street Art

This mural in downtown Memphis is actually an historic work of art, and you can find it on the side of Divine Rags, an upscale Italian clothing shop at 300 S. Main St. This work has been the center of some controversy during the past few years. You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it.

"Taking Care of Business" was created under the direction of Memphis artist George Hunt in 1983, and is one of a series of murals created at that time (you can read more about the artist, George Hunt, here). It "depicts the emergence of blacks from slavery to freedom through education and entrepreneurial success." There are only two murals (of this series) remaining, and the current owner of this building originally wanted to paint over this mural due to its condition. This created a bit of an outcry due to its historical significance, and the civic-minded owner later changed his mind. You can read more about this mural and these events here.

I am so glad that this mural still exists for citizens and visitors to appreciate and enjoy.

There are 144 blogs participating in this theme day. Please drop by and visit each of them and enjoy their wonderful theme day offerings!

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Memphis, "The Bluff City"

After seeing the photo yesterday of the riverside park on Mud Island, Annie of Little Rock Daily Photo asked about Memphis' bluffs along the Mississippi River, and whether they are truly high enough to prevent flooding.

Memphis is known as "The Bluff City", and this area along the river was chosen specifically for the high bluffs, which are part of the Chickasaw Bluffs. According to the entry about the Chickasaw Bluff in Wikipedia, "The Chickasaw Bluff secured Memphis from river floods, while a rare shelf of sandstone below provided a secure boat landing, making this the "only site for a commercial mart" between the Ohio River and Vicksburg, Mississippi." You can read the entire passage about this bluff system here.

If you are visiting Memphis, you will notice that the highest bluffs center around the original downtown area---those early settlers knew which areas were most advantageous, didn't they? As you follow the areas more recently developed along the river---north and south of that original area of settlement---the bluffs sometimes aren't quite as high or dramatic. The park on Mud Island (shown yesterday) is more prone to flooding during the Spring as the river rises due to Spring rains and the snow thaws north of Memphis, although I rarely see the water rise past that first flat area of the park. The residential area to the right in the photo yesterday is actually quite a few feet higher than the park area next to the river.

In the two photos above, you can see the view (first looking north, and then south) from the higher bluffs along a residential area overlooking Riverside Drive. These photos were both taken from the same spot in Butler Park, a small park overlooking the river and the park on the other side of Riverside Drive. The Mud Island photo, shown yesterday, featured the area north of the M Bridge, the Pyramid, and the Morgan Keegan Tower (the brown building to the right, with the spire on top) as seen in the first photo. The Morgan Keegan Tower (including its spire in its height measurement) is the second tallest building in Memphis. You can read more about it here.

These photos don't provide the full impact of standing on the bluffs in person. They are actually quite high and steep, and allow a very nice view of the entire riverfront area. The next time I'm downtown, I will try to take photos looking up at the bluffs, to try to share a different view and the true majesty of the bluffs.

Have a Seat...

Here is a nice little place to take a break, right on the banks of the Mississippi River. This park is on Mud Island in the downtown area of Memphis. You can find more information about Mud Island here. In this photo, the river is to the left and the residential area is to the right. This park is usually very busy with people walking or playing with their dogs, jogging or skating, riding bikes, having a picnic, or flying kites. The day we visited it was windy and cold, so I'll have to take another photo for you during a busy Spring day (that's a good enough excuse to make a repeat visit!).

I apologize for missing a few days of blogging; I'm a bit under the weather. It seems that just about everyone around here is sick, or just recovering. I hope that you're doing great!

FedEx Forum

This is the FedEx Forum, which is now home to the Memphis Grizzlies NBA Basketball team and the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team. It is also the main venue for music, circuses, and other performances.

The Forum, which is located at 191 Beale Street and Third Street, was the largest construction project in Memphis history, and was completed on time and on budget. The first public events were held in the Forum in September, 2004. The naming rights were sponsored by FedEx, which is based in Memphis. The Forum seats 19,000 to 20,000, depending on the event.

The Forum's presence, along with the Memphis Redbirds baseball at AutoZone Park (first posted here), has really revitalized and energized this part of downtown Memphis. There is always something fun happening downtown.

The photo can be enlarged by clicking on it, and featured links are highlighted in the bold color.

The Pyramid Arena and Mud Island Marina, Memphis

Annie of Little Rock Daily Photo posted this great view of the M Bridge, taken as she was coming over the bridge from Arkansas coming into Memphis. It showed the Pyramid Arena on the left, and I thought that you might enjoy seeing a different view of that here today.

The Pyramid is a sports and entertainment/mulit-purpose arena that was built in 1991, and is jointly owned by the City of Memphis and Shelby County. The pyramid design was chosen as a reference to Memphis' namesake, Memphis, Egypt, which is home to ancient pyramids. It is the third largest pyramid in the world, and is higher---at 32 stories---than both the Statue of Liberty and the Taj Mahal. This photo was taken from the residential side of Mud Island, and you can see the Mud Island Marina, operated by the Memphis Yacht Club, in the foreground.

This arena was the home of the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team (currently #1 in the nation) for many years, and at that time was nicknamed the "Tomb of Doom", and it was also home for several years to the Wonders Cultural Series. It has been a popular choice for many local high school and college graduations. We saw both my sister (college) and my older son (high school) graduate there, and also took our sons to many ice shows and circus performances there when they were younger.

When the FedEx forum was recently built for the Memphis Grizzlies pro basketball team, the contract was written that the Univ. of Memphis Tigers would also play at the Forum, and that most major ice, circus, and music shows would also use that venue. I will try to post a photo of the Forum in the next day or two. Currently, the Pyramid isn't being used for anything, except occasionally for stage sets for movies being filmed in Memphis. Ideas for future use of the Pyramid have included an indoor theme park, a Memphis branch of the Smithsonian, and most recently Bass Pro Shops has expressed an interest in locating a superstore there.

I would hate to see this facility go...it's unique to Memphis, and an eye-catching part of our skyline. What do you think might be a good use for this attractive structure?

Carriage Ride

One of the most popular ways to see downtown Memphis, in style!, is to take a carriage ride (shown here on Front Street). You can find them for hire in front of The Peabody Hotel and also on the west end of Beale Street. Isn't it fun to let someone else do the driving for a little while? Have you ever taken a carriage ride?

I haven't been able to visit everyone this weekend as much as I would like, as it is our anniversary today and DS1 came home to help us celebrate. I hope that you're having a wonderful weekend!

Downtown Living, Fit for King Cotton...

For many years in Memphis, as in many Southern cities along the Mississippi River, cotton was king. Cotton was the leading cash crop of the South, and Memphis was one of the leading cities in the processing, classing, sale, and shipping of cotton, with its easy access to the Mississippi River shipping venue. The multi-level buildings along Riverside Drive in downtown Memphis, overlooking the banks of the Mississippi, were once the hub of the busy cotton district. My maternal uncle started his career in this district, as a cotton classer, and later in his career was a cotton executive and farmer.

Many buildings, such as this one shown, have been restored and are now being used as restaurants, shops, offices, and as loft and condominium space. Downtown Memphis has a unique urban energy and is a fun choice for those wishing to live "at the heart of it all."

The Famous Peabody Ducks...

Here are two glimpses of the Peabody ducks in the original Lobby fountain.

A blogging friend recently asked me what happens to the ducks in the winter, and what type of life they have? The Peabody definitely caters to the ducks, as they not only spend time each day in the fountain, but also have hotel penthouse space of their own, including a pond and a heated area. We were told that the Peabody also owns a farm in Mississippi where the ducks live during their "off time" or after service. I believe that the ducks have a few months in the Peabody (one person told us three months), alternating which group of ducks are at the hotel.

The "Duck Parade" is famous and a huge attraction for visitors to the city. The ducks parade into the Lobby in the morning (11am the last time we visited...check with the hotel staff if you wish to visit) and parade out at about 5pm. The Lobby is always packed with people for this event (even the balcony area), so arrive early for a good spot. I once stood next to Bono of the group U2 during the duck parade, and he was as enthused about it as anyone.

Fence Post, Woodruff-Fontaine House

This is a detailed view of one of the fence posts in front of the Woodruff-Fontaine House, a French Victorian home in downtown Memphis. It was built in 1870 on what was then considered "Millionaire's Row", now called Victorian Village. This area is popular with tourists and those who love local history and is often the site for various festivals, and Woodruff-Fontaine is often the chosen site for parties and weddings.

My late mother was a longtime board member and docent/tourguide at the Wooodruff-Fontaine House, so it has a soft spot with all of us (I will definitely be sharing more photos in the future...it's quite pretty). The home is said to be haunted---many people have reported seeing Molly Fontaine sitting on the bed of one of the second story bedrooms, and people working in the house have reported seeing an imprint, as if someone has been sitting there, on the usually pristine bedcovers. Two psychics also reported seeing Elliott Fontaine on the third floor while my mother was leading tours. She was always a bit disappointed that she never witnessed any of this herself...she had a great love for all that is a bit mysterious, as well as history and preservation.

A Night on Beale Street...

This is a typical crowd on Beale Street on weekend nights, or any evening when there has been a downtown activity. Lots of people, lots of fun, and lots of energy...