Bryan Rollins
Photography by Bryan Rollins
On a steamy summer afternoon, Jimmy Ogle stands in the shade under the canopy of trees in Court Square between Main and Second streets in downtown Memphis as he readies to take our cover kid, Myles, and a few friends on a magical tour. Ogle is the official historian for Shelby County, but long before he received that title in 2014, he has fascinated tourists and locals alike with stories of the little known mysteries of Memphis.
“Not many people know that the famous inventor Thomas Edison lived here, running a telegraph after the civil war. He worked across from Court Square,” he tells the kids as the tour kicks off.
Ogle weaves facts and information on a regular basis during his Jimmy Ogle Tours, which he has offered for free for more than 10 years. This has been a busy summer as he takes campers on tours.
“I’ve lived here all my life and have worked 40 years in parks and recreation. I love talking about how important our history is to this country,” he says. “Apparently, I do a pretty good job of storytelling.”
Court Square
Ogle shares with the group of youngsters, as they embark on an hour-long journey, how Court Square is the only remaining park in its original form laid out by the city’s founders in 1819. The land was set aside to build a courthouse, but no courthouse was ever built on Court Square. However, the location was the site of Memphis' first schoolhouse. And it’s home to the majestic fountain erected in 1876.
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November 6th Street
As Ogle points in a different direction, he glimpses a street sign to bring to the kids’ attention.
“Do you see that? That’s November 6th Street. It’s the only street in the United States named for a month, day, and year. The year won’t fit on the sign but it marks the date in 1934 when Memphis became the first city to join the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority).
Now a street that looks more like an alley has taken on an entirely new significance to the kids.
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Zero Point of Memphis
The group meanders along Main street hearing tidbits about “this and that” and makes its way up Madison to the steps of the University of Memphis Law School. Despite the imposing building, and its history of formerly being the main U.S. post office, it’s an unassuming stone block perched right in front on the sidewalk that’s captivating. The stone, erected by the Engineers Club in 1923, marks the zero point in Memphis. For example, if you put in your Google maps to provide the distance from Memphis to St. Louis. This is the point that it’s being measured from. Interesting!
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Mississippi River
Another stop on our Memphis Parent tour is taking in the gorgeous vista of the mighty Mississippi River. We reached this lookout by crossing over the footbridge behind the law school linking the Front Street Park to the bluff. It’s known as the Chickasaw Bluff or Fourth Bluff. The bluffs were numbered by men working the river years ago — from one to four, starting from “up north” along the Mississippi.
Jimmy details how riverboating and steamboating have long been in the historical DNA of Memphis. The city was founded on the river and built on cotton, with the historic cobblestones alongside the river’s edge being laid with slave labor.
Cotton along with hardwood in the 19th century made Memphis a hub for industry.
Hundreds of years ago, animals and Native Americans determined the pathways (that later became roadways) to this highest piece of ground on the Mississippi River between Cairo, Illinois, and Natchez, Mississippi.
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The Peanut Shoppe
One of the last stops on our tour involves snacking! You haven’t been to downtown Memphis if you haven’t visited the Peanut Shoppe. The Peanut Shoppe is the only nut shop of its kind in Memphis. The downtown favorite has been open on Main Street since 1949. It’s a narrow little shop that looks like a throwback to another era. But the sweet aroma as you open the door and the shop’s array of nuts and candies make you realize that kids of all ages from yesteryear to today would enjoy this treat on a warm summer day.
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Off the Beaten Path
When Jimmy Ogle is not giving historic talks and tours, he puts on another hat that also brings his wealth of knowledge about Memphis and the region into play. Last year he was named the Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel. He now oversees the world-famous mallard ducks and their daily march from their penthouse atop the historic hotel to the lobby fountain.
“People all over the world love Memphis and like to come and visit,” Ogle says. “I am really living the dream. I get to live and breathe it every day and share it with others. It’s wonderful!”
TAKE A DETOUR AND EXPLORE MEMPHIS
Jimmy Ogle Tours • jimmyogle.com • 901-604-5002
info@jimmyogle.com
Jimmy Ogle offers various types of tours from the meaning behind historic manhole covers to courthouses, where he takes his tours inside when it gets really hot and sticky outside.
Next Courthouse Tour:
Judge D’Army Bailey Courthouse • Thursday, July 20 at noon
Meet on the courthouse steps