Saturday, August 31, 2013

Memphis Top Monuments To Visit

By Harry Bryant


The city of Memphis, Tennessee is probably one of the most historic towns in the US. Historically, it is prominent for being one of the strongholds of the Confederates during the Civil War. It has additionally become home to 1 or 2 big names in entertainment and politics. As a consequence, everyone can explore many Memphis monuments that also serve as tourist draws.

The Elvis Monument

The monument to Elvis Presley, the late King of Rock n' Roll, is one of the most talked Memphis monuments. Though born in Tupelo, Elvis spent most of his life in Memphis and also started his career there. The Statue of Elvis can be accessed 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. It simply stands there on Beale Street, right in the heart of downtown Memphis. The statue is imposing with a height of roughly 9.5 feet. This is a monument to visit when one is on a holiday in Memphis. Popular activity includes taking group photographs as a memento. Admission is free too.

Elmwood Cemetery

It is among the well known monuments in Memphis thanks to the many public figures that have been interred in its massive expanse of land. Artists, officeholders and soldiers that have formed the history of Tennessee lie interred in this historical landmark. In here, one can find examples of Victorian design and sculptures like angels, flowers and mausoleums guarded by statues of the individuals that are buried in them. Elmwood occupies 80 acres developed as a commemorative park complete with trees and vistas.

Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument

Another monument to a Memphis-born historical figure, this monument is devoted to the memory of Nathan Bedford Forrest who was a popular tactician in the Civil War. Serving at first as a personal in the Confederate Armed forces, but rose swiftly through the ranks because of his tactical prowess, though preferred, the Monument however is an object of controversy because Bedford had improved himself in the slave trade prior to the War and he also became the 1st Grand Magician of the Ku Klux Klan.

Graceland

When one thinks about Memphis, Elvis would always come to the front. Except for the Statue of Elvis, another monument to the King of Rock n ' Roll is the Graceland Mansion itself. Here's where Elvis lived in the city of Memphis, and this is also where he's buried. Since 1982, Graceland has become a public museum and is visited by over 500,000 tourists every year. The mansion is located at 3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Tom Lee Memorial

Last but not the least amongst the monuments in Memphis, the Tom Lee Memorial Park is a tribute to Tom Lee, an African-American boatman who rushed to the salvation of U.S. Norman in 1925. On May 8, 1925, the steamer had an accident that resulted to it being sunk. But thanks to the courage and compassion of Tom Lee, 32 lives were spared death. Lee rushed to the rescue with his boat - which he named "Zev" - and gathered the survivors. In appreciation, Tom Lee received the commemorative from the people of Memphis.




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