Memphis History

1970	Population 623.530. Postcards Memphis Public Eye at Overton Square Alfred's corner Madison/Cooper November 28, Last film (WUSA) shown at Lowe's State Theater located at 152 S. Main.
1971	January 16, Elvis was selected as one of the nation's Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year 1970, by the Junior Chamber of Commerce of America. Elvis and Priscilla attended the JCC prayer breakfast at the Memphis Holiday Inn Rivermont. Afterwards there was a press conference and at 5. 00 pm, Elvis gave a reception at Graceland for Award winners and Jaycee officials. One hour later Elvis and Priscilla hosted a formal dinner for 100 guest at the Four Flames Restaurant. February, Britlings Cafeteria on Union avenue closes after some fifty years. Former employee is Gladys Presley. A display at Graceland memorializes the Britling Cafeteria and her work there. FedEx was founded in Memphis in 1971, by Frederick Wallace (Fred) Smith, and the company built a sorting facility and an administration building on the airfield. FedEx's package-sorting complex, which would later come to be known as the Super Hub, along with the company's around-the-clock operations have combined over the years to make Memphis International Airport (MEM) the number-one busiest cargo airport in the world. Fred Smith was a neighbour of Elvis Presley, who lived then in Audubon Drive, Memphis. May 29, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dayy Thomas and Sammy David jr. chat back stage prior to the St. Jude Shower of Stars at the Mid-South Coliseum. Other stars were Bob Hope, Vikki Carr and Frank Sinatra. The Benefit raised an estimated $175,000 for the hospital.
1972	J. Wyeth Chandler becomes mayor till 1982.
1973	Busing begins in order to bring about full integration of schools. March, Fire station #1 closes and moves to near St. Jude Hospital. The building will become the fire museum 25 years later. April, Hotel Chisca vacated to become world headquarters for Church of God in Christ. May 8, Mississippi River reaches 40.5 feet, highest level since the 1937 flood.
1974	County government is restructured by state legislature. May 11, Cook Convention Center opens . Third street and Fourth street in Memphis. March 20, Elvis in Mid-South Coliseum
1975	Mid-American Mall is constructed. April 3, Peabody closes. June 20, Muhammad Ali Theater, first black owned movie theater to open in Tennessee in 30 years, opens on Beale street. June 10, Elvis did a concert in Mid-South Coliseum. Aug. 1, Peabody purchased by Jack Belz. Beale street Zip-pin Diaper Pin Lubricator advertisement
1976	Benjamin L. Hooks elected executive director of the NAACP. Victorian Village named historic district. Libertyland amusement park opens. Bealestreet September November 14, Patterson Convention Nov. 2, Movies stop running at The Malco (now The Orpheum,the theatre) Last movies at the Malco were “House of 1000 Pleasures” and “The 4 of Us.” Febr. Elvis did recording sessions in the den at Graceland with RCA bringing in mobile recordings.
1977	August 16, Elvis Presley dies in Memphis. Tennessean Alex Haley won the Nobel Prize for his book Roots. Beale street June 7 February 13 Riverboat Delta in Lowwater Memphis Development Foundation buys the Orpheum Theatre for a performing arts venue . May 28, Lowe's Palace Theater closes. Downtown will be without a movie theater for 24 years.

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