Uptown in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

First Memphis Waterfront

Photographed by Shelby County, Tennessee, October 27, 2010

1. First Memphis Waterfront Marker

Inscription. From here north to Auction Avenue steamboats landed; flatboats used the mouth of Gayoso Bayou above. Paddy Meagher, associated with this bluff as early as 1783, built a warehouse here in 1828. In 1829 Emmanuel Young built the town's first brick structure, a warehouse with freight elevator next to Paddy's; that same year it housed the first stage performance in Memphis. Soon after 1830 this area began to silt up, and the town landing moved south to Market Avenue and below.

Erected by Shelby County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.

Location. 35° 9.281′ N, 90° 3.036′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Uptown. It is at the intersection of North Front Street and Jackson Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: North Front Street, Memphis TN 38105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Tavern (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Court House, First Newspaper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Market Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Adams / Fort Pike (approx. 0.2 miles away); Congregation B'Nai Israel (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort San Fernando (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lynching of Lee Walker (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Other markers no longer nearby. Marcus Winchester (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Fort San Fernando de Las Barrancas (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

First Memphis Waterfront marker, across the street at corner of the Memphis Pyramid. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

2. First Memphis Waterfront marker, across the street at corner of the Memphis Pyramid.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 616 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.