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

Griffin House

Photographed by Steve Masler, June 24, 2015

1. Griffin House Marker

Inscription. Leighnora Elisabeth Griffin, pictured here in the 1930s, lived at 2118 Madison Avenue from 1919 until her death at age 89. She once turned down an offer price of $500,000 to purchase the home during the mid-70's heyday of Overton Square entertainment district. Her family moved to Memphis from Columbus, GA and bought the house in 1919. She married John Griffin in 1928, and he lived there with her until his death in 1981. After Ms. Griffin's death on November 20, 1991, Paulette's expanded into the house, using the space as private dining.

Erected by Overton Square.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1897.

Location. 35° 8.206′ N, 89° 59.447′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in East Parkway. It is on Madison Avenue close to Cooper Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2118 Madison Ave, Memphis TN 38104, 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: Overton Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the former Union Avenue United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchison School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crump Home

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); The Lindenwood Christian Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Overton Park Shell/The Levitt Shell At Overton Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Overton Park Shell (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Photographed by Steve Masler, June 24, 2015

2. Griffin House Marker

The former Griffin House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, June 24, 2015

3. The former Griffin House

Photo of Leighnora Griffin, 1930s (The Commercial Appeal files) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler

4. Photo of Leighnora Griffin, 1930s (The Commercial Appeal files)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,475 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.