102 S. Main, Memphis

Creators

Preview

Source Collection

Alan Karchmer collection, Special Collections Department, University of Memphis Libraries

Identifier

23_7.B

Description

102 S. Main, Memphis, Tennessee. Photographer: Alan Karchmer. © Alan Karchmer.

Because it has been evolving ongoing with the city's development, Main Street is something of an architectural museum in itself. Walking along the Mall, from Gayoso to the Civic Plaza, one can encounter structures representing a wide range of styles ... and history. In the 1950's and 60's, in an attempt to compete with the new suburban shopping centers, many shop owners 'modernized' their store-fronts, in effect vandalizing most of the significant Victorian and Commercial Style structures on the street.

Perhaps the greatest positive effect of the Mall is that it allows the pedestrian room to look up above the defaced storefronts and study what remains of the handsome details.

In other cities Community Development funding through the Department of Housing and Development has been used to preserve and restore architecturally significant buildings in downtown areas. However, such a program has not been instituted in Memphis.

Date Created

2021

Date

undated

Recommended Citation

"102 S. Main, Memphis" (2021). Images. 53.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-karchmera2/53