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

Brodnax Jewelers

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. Brodnax Jewelers Marker

Inscription. Brodnax Jewelers, the original occupant of the Brodnax Building, at one time sold more Rolex watches than any other retailer in the world. When this building was built in 1916 as their headquarters, their mail-order business claimed to sell more jewelry than the Sears catalog.

Erected 2003 by Center City Commission. (Marker Number 18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the Tennessee, Memphis, Center City Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 35° 8.653′ N, 90° 3.208′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It can be reached from Monroe Avenue just west of South Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located on sidewalk near building entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 Monroe Avenue, Memphis TN 38103, 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: Business Men's Club (a few steps from this marker); The Peabody Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Face-off (within shouting distance of this marker); Architectural Innovation

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(within shouting distance of this marker); William Len (within shouting distance of this marker); William Len Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Shrine Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Farnsworth Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Memphis Buildings ... and Notable Businesses. Entry on Historic-Memphis website. (Submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Downtown Memphis Commission's Sidewalk Stories Tour. Walking itinerary compiled by Google Maps. Note: Some markers are missing. (Submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. Brodnax Jewelers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,970 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.