Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Hooks Brothers Photography
Established in 1907
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 18, 2010
1. Hooks Brothers Photography Marker Side A
Side A
Established by Henry A. Hooks, Sr. and his brother Robert B. Hooks, Hooks Brothers Photography Studio was the second oldest continuously operating black business in Memphis.
Located during its early years at 164 Beale Street, it next moved to Linden Avenue and finally to McLemore Avenue, where it ceased operation after a destructive fire in 1979.
continued
Side B
Covering much of the 20th century, the company chronicled and documented the history and lives of black Memphis and Memphians. Among the subjects and luminaries captured on film by the Hooks Brothers were Booker T. Washington, W. C. Handy, Robert R. Church, the beginning days of the Memphis NAACP, the Lincoln League, early high school and college graduating classes from Howe Institute, LeMoyne College, and many other activities of black society and ordinary people.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 159.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Beale Street #3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Beale Street #4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Franklin Booth (within shouting distance of this marker); Beale Street Historic District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lansky Brothers (about 400 feet away); The Blues Trail From Mississippi to Memphis (about 400 feet away); Beale Street #1 (about 400 feet away); Ida B. Wells (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 18, 2010
2. Hooks Brothers Photography Marker Side B
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,255 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
