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

Opera House Fire

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. Opera House Fire Marker

Inscription. In 1883, flames from a store on the north side of Barboro made it across the alley and burned down the city's old opera house, the Greenlaw.

Erected 2003 by Center City Commission. (Marker Number A-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, Memphis, Center City Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 35° 8.569′ N, 90° 3.27′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It can be reached from the intersection of Barboro Alley and South Center Lane, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the sidewalk at the head of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 S Main 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,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the

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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: Barboro Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); First "Talkies" (within shouting distance of this marker); John Grisham (within shouting distance of this marker); 19th Century Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Exchange Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cora James (within shouting distance of this marker); Farnsworth Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Avenue (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . . Downtown Memphis Commission's Sidewalk Stories Tour. Walking itinerary compiled by Google Maps. Note: Some markers are missing. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. Opera House Fire Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.