The city of Memphis was founded in 1819 and named after the ancient capital of Egypt on the Nile River. In the early 19th century, Memphis was major domestic slave trade. Over one million slaves were transported from the Upper South. By the 1850s, Memphis was the largest inland cotton market in the world, but the industry entirely relied on slavery. The domination continued for the next 70 years, and in the 20th century, Memphis became the largest hardwood lumber market and the largest mule market. This attracted a large number of immigrants, and the population was multiplied despite the yellow fever epidemic. World War II brought enormous military and industrial expansion; large supply depots were constructed in Memphis.

During the 1960s, the city was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement. On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel during his visit to Memphis. He came to lend his support to the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike.

Here below are some historical photos of old Memphis from the 1900s to 1950s — capturing streets, roads, landmarks, and everyday life.