Memphis landmarks added to US Civil Rights Trail
Memphis is home to three other stops on the trail. The National Civil Rights Museum, Clayborn Temple and Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, where King gave his famous “Mountaintop” speech the day before his assassination were already included on the trail.
Two Memphis destinations have been added to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, a collection of more than 100 landmarks significant to social justice movements of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
The landmarks — mostly churches, courthouses, schools and museums — are spread across 15 states. On Thursday, the Beale Street Historic District and the former home of WDIA radio station on Union Avenue were added.
On Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee visited Memphis to announce the addition of the new sites.
“Today is a special day as Tennessee shines a brighter light on the brave men and women who stood up for equal rights,” Lee said. “I am proud that with the addition of these two sites, travelers from around the world will have the opportunity to learn more about Memphis’ deep civil rights history.”
WDIA Radio went on air for the first time in June 1947 as the first radio station in the country to be entirely programmed for the black community and reached about 10% of the black population nationwide. “This is a well deserved honor for ‘The Goodwill Station’ because for more than 70 years, it has been the community’s keystone for news, information, community, gossip and humor,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who said he grew up listening to the station. “I believe that most black families in Memphis tune in daily to WDIA to learn what’s going on in Memphis.” While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was alive, the radio station often publicized his speeches and encouraged its audience to attend. WDIA went on to become the leading source of news for the black community after King’s assassination in 1968, according to information from the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
Iberia Bank now occupies the space, but the neon WDIA sign is still on the building. The station is still active and is now owned by iheartradio.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced the addition of Beale Street to the trail. “Whether you’re looking for a good time, good food, good music or all of the above, iconic Beale Street has been there for you for many decades,” Strickland said. “Today’s announcement is not only exciting for Memphis, but it’s an important reminder of the rich history of this street from its early days as the Main Street of black America to helping make Memphis the home of the blues and the birth place of rock and roll to bringing in about 4 million visitors a year just to this street .... Beale Street is Memphis.”
W.C. Handy, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King and other artists credited with developing the Memphis Blues sound got their start playing in clubs in the Beale Street Historic District. The 15-block Beale Street district was also added for its history as a home to many black-owned restaurants, shops, clubs and other businesses. Among them was the headquarters of famed journalist Ida B. Wells’ anti-segregationist newspaper, Free Speech.
Memphis is home to three other stops on the trail. The National Civil Rights Museum, Clayborn Temple and Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, where King gave his famous “Mountaintop” speech the day before his assassination were already included on the trail.
Desiree Stennett covers economic development and business at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at desiree.stennett@commercialappeal.com, 901-529-2738 or on Twitter: @desi_stennett.