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

The Gillis Brothers

Photographed by Steve Masler, April 3, 2020

1. The Gillis Brothers Marker

Inscription. Starting business in 1900, Clarence Gillis and brothers Andrew and Cornelius were noted entrepreneurs. They adopted the name "Gillis Brothers” and engaged in several business ventures, the first of which was a grocery located on Polk Street. Later they opened a large wholesale and retail grocery on Beale Street where they also owned and operated a first- class hotel for Blacks.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 122.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 35° 8.366′ N, 90° 3.013′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is on Beale Street just east of Rufus Thomas Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 Beale St, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

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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: Nat D. Williams (a few steps from this marker); George Jackson (a few steps from this marker); Rufus Thomas, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Chop Suey Café / Chinese Merchants on Beale Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Memphis Home of W.C. Handy (within shouting distance of this marker); Pee Wee Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Ida B. Wells (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memphis Heritage Trail/Ida B. Wells (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Photographed by Steve Masler, April 3, 2020

2. The Gillis Brothers Marker

Photographed by Steve Masler, April 3, 2020

3. The Gillis Brothers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2020, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2020, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.