Memphis, Tennessee, USA
1854 - Memphis

Memphis, a flourishing city and port of entry of Shelby county, Tennessee, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi river, just below the mouth of Wolf river, and on the 4th Chichasaw bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis, and 209 miles W. S. W. from Nashville. It is the most populous and important town on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans, and occupies the only eligible site for a commercial depot from the mouth of the Ohio to Vicksburg, a distance of 650 miles. The bluff on which it stands is elevated about 30 feet above the highest floods, and its base is washed by the river for a distance of three miles, while a bed of sandstone projects into the stream and forms a convenient landing. The appearance of Memphis from the river is remarkably fine. An esplanade, several hundred feet wide, extends along the bluff in front of the town, and is bordered with blocks of large warehouses. Travellers who have recently visited Memphis, express astonishment at the signs of improvement and commercial activity which are here exhibited. The population has been doubled since 1845. It contains 6 or 7 churches, 1 academy, a medical college, 2 banks, and a telegraph office. The United States government has recently established a naval depot at this place. The river is deep enough to float the largest ship of war from this point to its mouth. The building of steamboats has been commenced, and manufactories of cotton, iron, and ropes have been established. Six weekly and several daily newspapers are published here. Memphis is the western terminus of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, part of which is in operation. Another railroad is in course of construction from this place to Nashville, and one also projected to Little Rock. Arkansas. Steamboats make frequent passages between this and other ports on the river. The quantity of cotton annually shipped here is estimated at above 100,000 bales. The population in 1840, was 3300, in 1850 it amounted to 88-11, and in 1863 it is estimated at 12,000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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