...From 1897 to the present

Memphis Fairgrounds Park has occupied 168 acres in Midtown Memphis since 1897. Since that time the park has been used for various public events and activities. There was a racetrack there until 1912. It was a fairground from 1912 until 2008, when the Mid-South Fair moved to Desoto County. The area is still used by the Liberty Bowl, the Children's Museum, Fairview Middle School, and now, the Salvation Army's Kroc Center. Old time Memphians remember The Fairgrounds Amusement Park - especially The Pippin Roller Coaster and the Grand Carousel. In 1976 the park name was changed to "Libertyland" , a name that lasted until late October 2005, when the Amuseument park closed. Today, all













the rides have been moved, sold or destroyed, and the land has been cleared. In 2007, the Salvation Army purchased an area where the huge Kroc Center is now located. The Zippin Pippin was sold to the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin. It re-opened in their Bay Beach Amusement Park in 2011. The Grand Carousel has been renovated and has a new home at the Children's Museum. The Coliseum is to be demolished to build a parking garage for the Liberty Bowl. The Fairgrounds Park has become part of "Lost Memphis" and the name of the park is supposed to be changed. Below, all the various sections of the Fairgrounds will be covered in separate segments: Montgomery Park, Tri-State Fair, Fairgrounds, Amusement Park, Municipal Pool, Mid-South Fair, Libertyland, The Coliseum, Liberty Bowl, Children's Museum, the structures, Fairview Junior High, Tiger Lane and Kroc Center.

Thanks to the Memphis Public Library and the University of Memphis Library for many of the photos on this page

Montgomery Park Racetrack * Montgomery Park Race Track has comprehensive coverage on its own page > Click here Prior to 1850, the land known as the Fairgrounds, was part of the 5,000 acre Deaderick Plantation. In 1851, the Memphis Jockey Club purchased a big chunk of the land and developed it as a horseracing track. In 1869 they built a grandstand and new stables. In 1882 Col. Montgomery bought the racetrack and surrounding land and named it Montgomery Park. The Tennessee Derby, an American Thoroughbred horse race, was the main attraction at the racetrack, and was run annually from 1897 to 1906. There was only one grand stand, but attendance at the race track would run around 4000 per race day. This Derby rivaled the Kentucky Derby at the time for prestige and purse money, but relocated after Memphis banned gambling in 1905. The race track continued until 1912 and was used for Rodeo's and various other outdoor events. Harness racing 1887 Harness racing 1887 Vintage Montgomery Park 1911 postcard Winner 1909 Grandstand 1910 Grandstand 1904 1911 Montgomery Park PLACE

1903 Wildwest Poster The Track 1903 Club House 1903 Stables 1903

Montgomery Track 1892 Jockey Club Drawing 1909 Jockey Club 1891 Race Day

1916 Postcard 1891 Rare ... Lady'sticket 1892 Badge Cornelius Vanderbilt H.Montgomery

1900s Montgomery Track Jockey Club 1901 Club Lapel Pin 1888 Badge 1909 Race Trophy

Fairgrounds Park

The city of Memphis purchased the 168 acres of land in 1897 where Montgomery Park is located. Since the Shelby Country Fair has been staging their fairs on this land, the city called the acerage "The Fairgrounds". In 1912, the city decided to use the land for a permanent fairgrounds and a city park. They bought the Montgomery Park buildings from the Jockey Club and hired architect George Kessler, who had designed the Parkways and Overton and Riverside Parks, to design the space. A little known trivia fact about the Fairgrounds: The very tall heavy-duty, chain link fence around the Fairgrounds was originally around the Pink Palace property during construction.

Fairgrounds Entrance 1941 Old #2 Trolley 1937 Flood Victims, Circus Family 1800s Circus 1935

Circus Parade 1921 Vintage Circus Peanuts Ringling Animal Car Fairgrounds -1930

Raising the Big Top. "One morning, a few days before the circus was to open, my uncle Johnny announced that he was going to take me to see them actually put up the tent. I was excited, but Wow! I didn't know the half of it! He stood me between his legs on his motor scooter and off to the Fairgrounds. When we got there, several teams of men were hammering huge tent pegs into the ground, and elephants (the very ones that later would be performing in the show) were dragging the great, long poles and pulling the ropes to hoist the tent up. We watched for hours. It was about as much fun as the show itself - and it was free "! - Eddie Cooper

Sequence of photos showing the Raising of the Big Top...

Fairgrounds Structures and Exhibits

SHELBY COUNTY BUILDING: If there were ever a "theme building" at the Fairgrounds it would have been the Shelby County Building which opened in 1922. The building, with it's distinctive tower and large exhibition hall, was the focal point when one drove through the East parkway Gate to the Fairgrounds. During WWII, the 2nd Army used the Shelby County Building as their headquarters. Indeed, they took over the entire Fairgrounds for the duration of the war. In 1937, that large exhibition hall was set up with cots for the 1937 flood victims. In recent years, it was no secret that Memphis had "thoughts" about demolishing the building, but it was too popular. In 2003, an early morning fire left the building a brick shell and it was declared a total loss. However, it took several tries before the tower could be pulled down.

< The Shelby County Building - 1922-2003 (Burned...Demolished) >

1926 Exhibit Hall 1920s 1937 Flood Victims

WOMEN'S BUILDING - CREATIVE ARTS CENTER: The Women's Building has always been home to Culinary Shows, Art Work, and Quilting for over 80 years. The first Women's Building was built in 1908 and was a 2-story building. It was demolished in 1917 for a new one, which was not built until 1922. This one burned in 1944 when it was occupied by the 2nd Army. The empty shell sat vacant for years before the city rebuilt it in 1949. This is the building that still exists.

New Women's Building 1922 Women's Building Women's Exhibit Hall Women's Burned 1944

OTHER BUILDINGS - It's probably safe to say that all of the buildings have now been demolished for "The Great Lawn"

Youth Services-Demolished Boxing Area - Demolished Livestock Barns - Demolished Barns - Demolition

Roller Ad Drawing- SCB Steam Engine- Collierville Livestock Barns-Demolished Pipkin Building

Casino : Hard to believe, but Memphis used to have a grand Casino, known as "The Showplace of the South", with the largest dance floor in the city. It was built by Lynn Welcher in 1930 for $100,000 - an enormous sum in those days. There were innovative features like teak and rosewood floors mounted on felt, which gave it the perfect "bounce" for dancing. It also had an enormous lighting system, like no other, in any ballroom. All the big name entertainers and bands of the day performed here. And public dances were hosted every Friday and Saturday night. The Casino thrived for 20 years. When the big bands began fading out in the 1950s, it was sold to the Memphis Park Commission for only $12,000. The new manager started a policy of "No Alcohol" and that marked the end of the old Casino. The building was turned into a public basketball arena. The fire Marshall decided the building was a fire hazard and would cost $50,000 to bring it up to code. Of course, rather than refurbish the historical building, the city demolished it in 1963.

Casino -Demolished Casino Ballroom Casino 1934 Kay Starr Performs 1939

Ballroom - 1930 Casino Mirror Ball 1934 Auto Exhibit Casino 1939 Casino Demolition

Casino - Vintage Casino 1930s

Tri-State Fair . Mid-South Fair

Fairs have been held continuously in Memphis for 152 years - up to 2008 when the city wouldn't renew the lease of the Mid-South Fair. The first fair " Shelby County Fair " was staged in Memphis in 1856. It ran for two days. In 1858 attendance picked up and it ran for four days. This was the period when traditions were being started, such as harness racing, which would continue until the 1930's. By then the Montgomery Race Track had become a part of the fair's history. Between 1873-1877 attendance dropped dramatically because of the yellow fever epidemic. From 1880-1906 was a time of rebuilding after the Civil War.



In 1908 the fair as we know it was born and the name was changed to Tri-State Fair. The newly organized fair leased the grounds of Montgomery Park for five years. Since gambling had been outlawed in 1905, the racetrack had been mostly out of use. In 1912, the city bought Montgomery park from the Memphis Jockey Club, and from that date, The Fairgrounds Park was established. The Tri-State name change was a measure to entice more people around Memphis to attend. In 1929 the name was changed again to the Mid-South Fair , and it was the main attraction in Memphis for many years. In addition to the traditional attractions associated with fairs, the Mid-South fair included a Carnival midway and rides, concerts, and a talent show. The fair was not only popular among people in the Memphis area, but also those in adjacent cities in Tennessee, as well as neighboring states of Mississippi and Arkansas. In 2008 when Memphis wouldn't renew the lease, the Mid-South Fair moved to northwest Mississippi.

Tri State 1908 Camel Ride 1912 Tri-State 1912 Tri-State 1912 Tri-State 1909 Tri State 1912 Tri-State 1912 Tri-State races 1912 Tri-State races 1912 Tri-State races 1912 Tri-State 1908 Tri-State 1909 Fair Entrance 1940s Tri-State 1917 Tri-State 1910

Mid- South logo Mid-South 1911 Mid-South 1955 Mid-South 1956 Mid-South Midway Mid-South Midway Mid-South 60s Roy Rogers 1959 Radio active dime 60s Mid-South entrance 1st - 2005 Ribbons '48'49 Mid-South Pennant Mid-South Capsule Celebrating 150 yrs Mid-South Entrance 1938 Jewel Cowboys Radioactive dime Mid-South Official Mid-South banner Elvis 1955 Circus 1937 Rodeo 1947 Bob Hope - Monk 1965 Program 1965 Sally Rand '52

Rodeo-Art McCrady Matchbook 1908 Tri-State Entrance '56 Centennial Program and Flyer

1911 Tri State Midway 1912-13 Tri State 1939 Tri State Races Tri State Pit Pass 1916 Tri State Midway

Envelope 1954 Tri-State 1930s Bryson's - Judge Medal 1918 Ticket 1966

Camel Rides - 1912 Tri-State Refreshments Tri-State Entrance Mid-South Tickett - 1966

Fair Ad -1962 1931 Ribbon French Fam. 1954 1932 Big Top 1913 Tri-State guide 1950s Button

1922 Tri State Ticket 1950 Kay Starr 1909 Tri-State Grounds - UCV Reunion 1912 Tri-State entrance

1938 Jewels Cowboys Pippin Background 1938 Crump Family 1908 Tri State Pin 1917 Midway

1914 Tri State Tri-state-191 5 Fair Midway 1917 Ferriw Wheel 1908 Envelope

Midway 1950s Tri-State 1930s Tri-State 1930s Tri-State 1930s Tri-State-1928

Tri-State 1925 Tri-State FOB Tri-State Cotton Bldg 1918

Negro Tri-State Fair

African Americans had attended and participated in the Tri-State Fair well into the 1870s. Following the collapse of Reconstruction and the 1896 "separate but equal" legalized segregation, Memphis blacks and whites occupied two separate societies. In 1911, prominent African-Americans founded, organized, and ran their own fair called the "Negro Tri-State Fair". It was held at the Fairgrounds a few days after the white fair closed. This was an important event in the black community for decades. When the white fair changed its name to the Mid-South Fair in 1928, the black fair became simply the Tri-State Fair until it was discontinued in 1959. The Mid-South Fair was integrated in 1962.

Life Magazine 1941 Life Magazine 1941 Healthiest Baby 1941 Newspaper Item Science Exhibit 1951

Fairgrounds Amusement Park 1920-1974

The first Fairgrounds Amusement park was built to coincide with the 1920 Mid-South Fair. It's name was " Joy Plaze " and it included two of the grandest rides of the time - the Pipin Roller Coaster and the Grand Carousel merry-go-round. The Pippin was one of the oldest existing wooden roller coasters in the U.S. It was constructed in the East End Park in Memphis in 1912, out of pine wood, by John Miller and Harry Baker. When the East End Park declined in popularity, the coaster was dismantled and rebuilt in Fairgrounds park, along with the classic Dentzel Carousel. Other classic rides in the old park were "The Whip", "The Old Mill" - a lover's lane by boat, and "Noah's Ark"- noted for an air hose that blew ladies skirts up as they walked over the air hose.

Fairgrounds entrance Entrance 1912 Grand Carousel Grand Carousel Tumble Bug

1918 Entrance 1930s Old Mill Old Mill

Dentzel Horse Grand Carousel Grand Carousel Grand Carousel Dentzel Carving

Elvis 1960 Elvis - Fairgrounds Crump - Pippin Original Pippin Elvis -1950s

The Whip The Whip Fairgrounds 1960s Rocket 1952 Noah's Arc

Original Pippin entrance Giant Ferris Wheels Crump-Pippin Grand Carousel 1952 1920s Airplane

Pippin - Vintage

LibertyLand Amusement Park 1976-2005

In late 1974, the old Amusement Park was cleared to make way for LibertyLand - that is, everything was demolished except the roller coaster, the carousel, and gate office. LibertyLand opened in 1976. The Pipin was re-named "The Zippin Pippin". The new park gradually attracted decent crowds, but it never made a great profit. It continued to add attractions. Each time a new attraction, such as "Revolution", "Tidal Wave" or "Rebellion" was added, attendance would pick up. But it was short-lived. Finally, in 2005, the park closed due to financial reasons. Afterwards there were many attempts to save the park, but none of them worked out. By 2010, all of the attractions and rides had been moved, sold, or destroyed, and the land was cleared. The area is now, what else, a parking lot known as "Tiger Lane". The Zippin Pippin was demolished and sold to Green Bay, Wisconsin. What they really bought were the rights to the name and it's history, because they built their roller coaster from scratch. The Grand Carousel is said to be "in storage" - but no one seems to know where it's stored, or what will become of it. WARNING: The Grand Carousel is a classic and famous merry-go-round with great horses, hand-carved by Dentzel. It's not far-fetched to imagine that these horses might disappear one by one, unless someone is accountable. These sculptures are very valuable and very desirable to collectors.

LibertyLand Entrance LibertyLand entrance the Log Flume Grand Carousel

Zippin Pippin Zippin Pippin Zippin Pippin Zippin Pippin

Zippin Pippin Zippin Pippin Zippin Pippin Pippin - Demolished

Entrance Gates Revolution Paratrooper Souvenir Plate Souvenir Cup

Clock Tower Shot Glass Souvenir Shakers Souvenir Plate Patch

Libertyland Postcard 1982 Guide Toothpick holder Souvenir Cup

Municipal Pool

The pool opened at the Fairgrounds in 1922. It was Memphis' largest swimming pool - a huge, oval pool, surrounded by sand beaches. On the west side was a low building that housed showers and changing rooms. Across the front was a big sign, warning all swimmers "ALL OUT WHEN BELL RINGS." When the pool opened in 1922, the Shelby Country Baptist Association objected to men and women being allowed to swim together and called it a "veritable hellhole". But generations of Memphians learned to swim at the old Fairgrounds "hellhole". In 1947, the original Fairgrounds Municipal Pool was filled in and there are scanty records that a new pool was built in the same year. But today there's not a trace of either pool and we have not been able to find a date when the second pool was demolished.

Municipal Pool 1930 Municipal Pool Municipal Pool All out when Bell Rings!

Municipal Pool -1926 Circa 1930s Circa 1930s 1952 1937

Children's Museum

1990: Fairgrounds Children's Museum opens in the old National Guard Armory, which was built in 1942. The museum literally grew from a few women sitting around a kitchen table talking about a dream. Their idea took on momentum and everyone they talked to liked what they heard. Basically the museum is modeled after the Children's Museum of Boston. It creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs. It's nice to report a success and also to report that a historic Memphis building (the Armory) has a new lease on life. And more good news: The Grand Carousel has been completely renovated and will have a new home in mid 2017 at the Children's Museum.

Children's Museum Children's Museum Logo

Fairview Junior High *

* Fairview Jr. High, the Art Deco Masterpiece, has comprehensive coverage on its own page > Click here

Fairview Junior High Opened in 1930. It was and is a beautiful Art Deco building designed by the architectural firm of Edward Lee Harrison, the principal architect being Nolan Van Powell. It's now on the National Register of Historical Places list. Architectural critics call Fairview "the architectural gem of the school system and one of the finest buildings in the whole city." The architectural details around the building are much grander than those found in the other city schools. The school name was changed to Fairview Middle School during a reorganization of the schools. With declining enrollment, the school's days might be numnbered. Recently the district replaced a lot of broken windows around the building. Perhaps that's a good sign??? It seemed to be an even better sign when they spent millions to totally renovate the grand old building. UPDATE: Well, the School District and the City Council tricked us again. They completely dropped the Historic Fairview Junior High name and renamed the school "Maxine Smith STEAM Academy". It does appear that the City Council (2015) has a "grand plan" to change all the Historic names in the city of Memphis.

Fairview Fairview Details Report Card 1945 Diploma 1948

Liberty Bowl

The stadium was originally built as Memphis Memorial Stadium in 1965, as a part of the Fairgrounds. It was built partially as a way to bring the Liberty Bowl to a permanent home in Memphis. The game became such a success for Memphis that the stadium was renamed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 1976. The stadium seats 62,000 and the field had natural grass at it's inception but that was replaced with a FieldTurf in 2005. Liberty Bowl is the home field to the University of Memphis Tigers football team. In addition to sports, the Liberty Bowl has played host to major rock concerts. Naturally, this being Memphis, there's been a lot of talk about a "new stadium". This time the glaring problem is the lack of club seats - the same revenue-killer that led Memphis to shut down the Pyramid Arena and open the FedEx Forum in 2004. Liberty Bowl can be retro-fitted, but it would cost more than building a brand new venue from scratch. Now what do you suppose will happen?

Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Under construction

1979 Buckle Aerial View 1982 24th Liberty Bowl 1971 Shot Glass 29th Anniversary

Mid-South Coliseum

The Mid-South Coliseum was a multi-purpose arena that seated 10,085 people. It opened in 1964 and the first act was The Ringling Brothers Circus. Since then it served as the city's secondary concert and sporting venue and was once the crown jewel of arenas in Memphis. It was one of the few stops on The Beatles final American tour. Elvis Presley also performed here as well as many other famous performers. In addition to concerts, the coliseum was the home base of the United States Wrestling Association, the home of the Memphis Wings Hockey Team, and the home to three American Basketball Association teams. The facility was closed and moth-balled in 2006, because it failed to meet standards for access by the handicapped.

Aerial Coliseum VIP Entrance Coliseum Under Construction

Under Construction Sports Zeplin 1970 Elvis 1978 The Who - 1975

James Brown 1968 Stones Poster 1978 Beatles 1966 Beatles 1966 Beatles 1966

Beatles - 1966 Shower Stars 1970 Postcard-interior Fair

Tiger Lane When the major part of the old Fairgrounds were demolished in 2010, a section from East Parkway to the Liberty Bowl entrance was redesigned and named Tiger Lane. With the completion of Kroc Center to the north, most of the former Fairgrounds is , for now, public area. And Memphis gets two more bronze Markers added to the collection to tell about what used to be here.

Restored Entry Pylon Tiger Lane - Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl - Fountain Tiger Lane - Blue Bollards Restored Entry Pylon LibertyLand Entry site LibertyLand Marker Pippin Marker

Kroc Center

In 2004, the Salvation Army received a gift in excess of $1.5 billion from the estate of Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald's Corporation founder Ray Kroc. In 2005, Memphis was selected as one of 30 cities to receive a matching gift to build a Kroc Center. Memphis wanted this facility and had no trouble raising the necessary 25 million. In 2007, the Salvation Army of Memphis purchased the land on the Fairgrounds, where the Kroc Center is being built. When finished the 104,000 square foot Kroc Center will offer a comprehensive range of continuing education, visual and performing arts, health and wellness programs, family services and indoor/outdoor recreation for youth, adults, families and senior citizens. After more than a year's delay because of engineering problems, the center opened February 2013. May 2014: The Kroc Center charges an annual Membership fee "Individual...as low as $32 a month, plus a $50 registration fee. Household...as low as $53 a month, plus a $50 registration fee." Guest passes are available for 1 day at a cost of $4 - $10.

Kroc Center 2017

Credits

The Historic-Memphis website does not intentionally post copyrighted photos and material without permission or credit. On occasion a "non-credited" photo might possibly be posted because we were unable to find a name to give credit. Because of the nature of our non-commercial, non-profit, educational website, we strongly believe that these photos would be considered "Fair Use. We have certainly made no monetary gain, although those using this website for historic or Genealogy research have certainly profited. If by chance, we have posted your copyrighted photo, please contact us, and we'll remove it immediately, or we'll add your credit if that's your choice. In the past, we have found that many photographers volunteer to have their works included on these pages and we'll also do that if you contact us with a photo that fits a particular page.