Hunt-Phelan House

The Hunt-Phelan House is a Federal-style mansion on Beale Street in Memphis, distinguished by a two-story columned portico with Ionic capitals. The structure retains furnishings and architectural elements that reflect its origins in the 1830s.

The house was built in the early 1800s and gained strategic importance during the American Civil War, serving as headquarters for Confederate General Leonidas Polk and later Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Its role as a command center left a mark on Memphis during the conflict.

The mansion served as a receiving point for high-ranking officials and military leaders throughout the 1800s. This role shaped how locals viewed the house as a center of power and authority in Memphis.

The property spreads across a large grounds with multiple rooms and historical areas to explore. Plan enough time to walk through the spaces and take in the different periods of history contained within.

During the Civil War, the house was converted into a military hospital in 1864 and cared for thousands of wounded soldiers. This transformation shows how the spaces were adapted for critical wartime needs.

Location: Memphis

Inception: 1830

Architectural style: Federal architecture

Address: 533 Beale Avenue

GPS coordinates: 35.13750,-90.04389

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:42