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

Chickasaw Heritage Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 23, 2023

1. Chickasaw Heritage Park Marker

Inscription. The park, comprising eleven acres, was purchased in 1912 by the Board of Park Commissioners and was dedicated to the use and pleasure of the citizens of Memphis in perpetuity.

Dedicated in 1919
Rededicated in 2007,
By Hermitage Chapter DAR

Erected by Hermitage Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 35° 7.339′ N, 90° 4.503′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in French Fort. It can be reached from Metal Museum Drive west of Riverside Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38106, 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

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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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fortress of Chisca (here, next to this marker); De Soto Viewed the Mississippi (here, next to this marker); Chisca Mound (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Marine Hospital (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Pickering (approx. 0.2 miles away); Memphis Martyrs (approx. half a mile away); Tom Lee Monument (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of First Memphis Telephone (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Regarding Chickasaw Heritage Park. Excerpt from the park's National Register of Historic Places nomination:

The area currently known as Chickasaw Heritage Park in Memphis, TN., was part of a large prehistoric (Mississippian) Native American village which included seven mounds. The village contained pole-construction buildings and earthen platform mounds that served as raised
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 23, 2023

2. Chickasaw Heritage Park Marker
platforms for special political or religious buildings. The park presently contains two of these structure mounds and the remains of the village site.

Since its prehistoric occupation, however, Chickasaw Heritage Park has been the site of several historical activities. The mound area was part of the town of Fort Pickering which included the westernmost mound (Mound A) as Monument Square, or public land. Later, during the construction of a Civil War fort also named Fort Pickering, two of the mounds (Mounds A and B) were used as gun batteries. In 1887 the area became an amusement park known as Jackson Mound Park. A bandstand and dance pavilion were built on top of the largest mound (Mound A) with a bowling alley, shooting gallery, and restaurant installed on the surrounding grounds. The City of Memphis purchased the park in 1912 changing the name to DeSoto Park. Most recently, the park was renamed Chickasaw Heritage Park and presently contains a basketball court, swings, public rest rooms and other park features.

Also see . . . Chickasaw Heritage Park. National Register of Historic Places nomination (PDF) and photographs

Chickasaw Heritage Park Indian Mound image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 23, 2023

3. Chickasaw Heritage Park Indian Mound

(separate PDF) submitted for the park, which was listed in 1997. (National Park Service) (Submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.