Adams Avenue Historic District, Historic district in Memphis, United States
Adams Avenue Historic District is a historic area in Memphis spanning about 9 acres with six significant buildings displaying Classical Revival and Late Gothic Revival architectural styles. The district covers the 100 blocks of Adams and Washington Avenues and includes municipal buildings such as Fire Engine House No. 1 and the Memphis Police Station.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and includes St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church from 1852 and North Memphis Savings Bank from 1901. These buildings represent different phases of Memphis's development as a growing city during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Shelby County Courthouse displays architectural elements designed by Ecole de Beaux Arts graduates and showcases sculptural groups by J. Massey Rhind that reflect the city's aspirations for cultural prominence. The ornamental details throughout the buildings reveal how Memphis once competed with other major cities through architectural expression.
Visitors should plan to walk several blocks to explore all significant buildings, as the district covers a substantial area spanning Adams and Washington Avenues. It helps to have a general sense of the district's layout ahead of time to move through it efficiently.
The North Memphis Savings Bank building once served as the office for former Mayor E.H. Crump, who shaped Memphis politics during the first half of the 20th century. This detail shows how closely architecture and local power were connected in the city's history.
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