Memphis Founders and Logo Day
WHEREAS, the Memphis Sesquicentennial commissioned the late Dr. James Roper, then President of the West Tennessee Historical Society, to research and publish the book “The Founding of Memphis, 1818-1820”, the contents of which enable this resolution, and
WHEREAS, beginning with the Chickasaw Cession of 1818 all of West Tennessee land was transferred to the federal government, and, following a series of land transactions, Elisha Rice became the owner of a tract of 5,000 acres fronting on the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, and which tract, after further land transactions, came under the ownership of three Nashvilians, namely Andrew Jackson (1/8 of the tract), John Overton (4/8), and James Winchester (3/8), and
WHEREAS, the three new landowners commissioned a survey of their Fourth Chickasaw Bluff area overlooking the Mississippi River, and thereupon laid out the Town of Memphis, consisting of 362 lots offered to the public for sale, four public squares, and a broad public promenade along the riverfront, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Roper concluded that, although various founding dates could be justified, the Town of Memphis, being devised as a commercial real estate endeavor, the first lot sold was the most logical choice as the founding date and place of our city, and
WHEREAS, Lot 53 was the first lot sold (SE corner Front Street and Winchester), to Benjamin Fooy, on May 22, 1819, it is deemed that such sale marks the date and place of the founding of the Town of Memphis, enabling the three aforementioned individuals to become joint founders, as well as establishing the Lot 53 sale as the beginning of legal property ownership records in Memphis, and
WHEREAS, formal recognition of the founding of Memphis has not heretofore taken place, and such being worthy of notice, it is appropriate for May 22 to begin to be observed each year as the founding date, and Lot 53 as the founding place, of today’s vibrant metropolis on the Mississippi River embracing more than 650,000 residents, and
WHEREAS, May 22, 2019 thus marks the bicentennial of the founding of the Town, now City, of Memphis on the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, on the east side of the mighty Mississippi River, and
WHEREAS, the City of Memphis is moving boldly and confidently into its third century celebrating the progress and momentum that is powerfully propelling it forward, and
WHEREAS , an annual recognition of our city’s beginning honors its founders, and importantly elevates both civic pride and civic unity, all Memphians and Memphians-at-heart, wherever they may be, and in the course of their usual activities, are invited to celebrate, each year henceforth, the founding of our city by donning an article of apparel that bespeaks our city.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL THAT MAY 22 OF EACH YEAR IS HEREBY DECLARED
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY
WHEREAS, beginning with the Chickasaw Cession of 1818 all of West Tennessee land was transferred to the federal government, and, following a series of land transactions, Elisha Rice became the owner of a tract of 5,000 acres fronting on the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, and which tract, after further land transactions, came under the ownership of three Nashvilians, namely Andrew Jackson (1/8 of the tract), John Overton (4/8), and James Winchester (3/8), and
WHEREAS, the three new landowners commissioned a survey of their Fourth Chickasaw Bluff area overlooking the Mississippi River, and thereupon laid out the Town of Memphis, consisting of 362 lots offered to the public for sale, four public squares, and a broad public promenade along the riverfront, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Roper concluded that, although various founding dates could be justified, the Town of Memphis, being devised as a commercial real estate endeavor, the first lot sold was the most logical choice as the founding date and place of our city, and
WHEREAS, Lot 53 was the first lot sold (SE corner Front Street and Winchester), to Benjamin Fooy, on May 22, 1819, it is deemed that such sale marks the date and place of the founding of the Town of Memphis, enabling the three aforementioned individuals to become joint founders, as well as establishing the Lot 53 sale as the beginning of legal property ownership records in Memphis, and
WHEREAS, formal recognition of the founding of Memphis has not heretofore taken place, and such being worthy of notice, it is appropriate for May 22 to begin to be observed each year as the founding date, and Lot 53 as the founding place, of today’s vibrant metropolis on the Mississippi River embracing more than 650,000 residents, and
WHEREAS, May 22, 2019 thus marks the bicentennial of the founding of the Town, now City, of Memphis on the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, on the east side of the mighty Mississippi River, and
WHEREAS, the City of Memphis is moving boldly and confidently into its third century celebrating the progress and momentum that is powerfully propelling it forward, and
WHEREAS , an annual recognition of our city’s beginning honors its founders, and importantly elevates both civic pride and civic unity, all Memphians and Memphians-at-heart, wherever they may be, and in the course of their usual activities, are invited to celebrate, each year henceforth, the founding of our city by donning an article of apparel that bespeaks our city.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL THAT MAY 22 OF EACH YEAR IS HEREBY DECLARED
“MEMPHIS FOUNDERS and Logo DAY”
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY
Team Memphis Apparel
Well-known is this…… the spirit, pride, and unity displayed by fans of a winning sports team is, somehow, greatly powered by a team’s logo. So, too, do the multitude of Memphis-centric logos decorating garments and other goods seen around town. Collectively, such civic logos bind us together just like a team, Team Memphis.
Such is the mindset Don Memphis advocates, because, when seen in public, any and all logos representing our city radiate the spirit, pride, and inclusiveness of a winning city! So be mindful that Team Memphis logos are fashionable attire at any time.
Moreover, a clause of the above document includes a unique city-wide celebration on May 22 every year, whereby the entire population of Memphis is invited to don some form of Team Memphis apparel on that special day.
RESULT: a spectacular annual display of civic pride and solidarity blanketing our city.
There are a good many retail sources offering Memphis-themed merchandise. Whichever source you choose, always be prepared to flaunt your Team Memphis logos when fashion beckons. One source to consider is the longtime Memphis-focused webstore that supports this website, linked below.