20th+Century

Bustling Collierville! Collierville in the 20th Century From Collierville's beginning, the Town's citizens have strived to create a thriving and pleasant community, despite the many hardships the Town has endured since its original incorporation in 1850. Collierville was almost completely burned by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1863. Only fifteen years later, three quarters of the Town's population was taken by the Yellow Fever epidemic. Yet, following each crisis, Collierville's citizens persevered and proudly rebuilt a strong community with a reputation for excellence. In 1890, a Memphis newspaper described Collierville as a town that "displayed taste for beauty, comfort and attractiveness" and was "known for its hospitality, friendliness, and courtesy." At the turn of the twentieth century, Collierville was experiencing a rapid growth of population, industry, and technology. The Square was booming with approximately fifty-six businesses in operation, including grocery stores, a jewelry store, two hotels, a livery stable, and an undertaker. By 1913, Collierville's flourishing atmosphere earned the Town a reputation for being "progressive, up-to-date...with a law abiding and first class citizenship."

Collierville's convenient location at the edge of four counties (Shelby and Fayette counties in Tennessee and DeSoto and Marshall Counties in Mississippi) made it an important trade center. Spurred by its accessible location, Collierville experienced a business boom in the early 1900's. Businesses were located around The Square. New establishments frequently opened in the early 1900's including a hand printing company, a telephone exchange, a skating rink, and a photography studio. Most of the development occurred on the north and east sides of The Square The west side of The Square experienced little progress until 1945 when
 * The Square**

Central Avenue was extended making the area more easily accessible. Tragically, much of the north side of the square was destroyed on July 22, 1944 by a fire started at the Stamps Motor Company, now Camp and Trail Outfitters. A total of four stores burned before the flames were extinguished The Square would again be touched by distaster in 1955 when a tornado touched down in Collierville, destroying the bandstand in Town Square Park where the gazebo is now located.

Many of Collierville's early businesses are still in operation. Martin Cleaners and McGinnis Hardware are two example of long-lasting businesses located on The Square. Martin Cleaners, currently located on North Main Street, opened in July of 1929. McGinnis Hardware has the distinction of being the oldest continuous business in Collierville. Established in 1866, the family-owned business is in its sixth generation of operation. Cartwright Nursery Company, on East Shelby Drive, is another enduring family-owned business. The nursery opened in 1924 and is still providing services today. Cartwright has supplied the landscaping for large-scale projects, such as the Superdome, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, Disney World, and Opryland.

Many unique businesses have operated in Collierville. In 1929, an ice delivery service known as The Collierville Delivery company sold ice as far away as Slayden, Mississippi, nearly twenty miles from Collierville. A 500 pound block of ice cost $2.75, a 1,000 pound cost $5.50, and a 2,000 pound cost $11.00. In May of 1930, a diner known as the Nickel Inn opened on The Square. The restaurant received its name because every item on the menu was five cents.


 * Industry In Collierville**

In the early 1900's, cotton was the main industry in Collierville. Every fall, wagons loaded with cotton would line up at the cotton platform (now the location of the Main Street Collierville office) to unload the harvest. Lines of wagons often extended the entire block to the Presbyterian Church located on Mulberry and Walnut Streets. Thousands of bales were piled onto the platform. Collierville's cotton industry suffered in the 1920's when the boll weevil infested the area, destroying much of the cotton crop.

The dairy industry was also important in Collierville. The town was the home of several dairy farms, as well as The Swift and Company cheese plant, built in 1933 on South Main and Neely Streets. The plant manufactured hoop cheese, a dry type of cottage cheese. The plant earned Collierville, the reputation of being the "cheese-making capital of West Tennessee." Indeed, The //Collierville Herald//'s subheading at this time declared "Collierville A Dairy Town."

During the 1950s, many manufacturers came to Collierville responsible for a variety of nationally sold products. The Dubin-Haskin Lining Corporation made shirt underlinings; Masters Sporting Goods Company produced golf bags that were sold nation-wide; and the Ripley Screen and Strainer company, whose home office was in Collierville, manufactured automotive and hudraulic filters. Collierville was also the home-base for several international companies. In 1950, Wonder Products opened a factory in Collierville. Wonder Products most popular item was the Wonder Horse, a children's rocking horse toy. Many of the Wonder Horse models were designed by Mrs. Walter (Minnie) Smith, a Collierville resident. The factory closed in 1983. The Carrier Corporation opened in Collierville in 1968. A "pioneer in the field of air conditioning," Carrier is one of the world's largest manufacturers of heating and air conditioning systems. The corporation, located on Byhalia Road, is still operating in Collierville and is one of the Town's largest companies

By the 1970's, Collierville was the home of sixteen different industrial businesses, employing 1,796 people. Twenty years later, Collierville's industries had expanded to forty-nine businesses, employing 4,290 people. Many of these establishments, such as Bodine Company, Inc., Hart Manufacturing Corporation, and Strike King Lure Company are still in operation.

In 1998, Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) began building its World Tech Center, a state-of-the-art facility, near East Winchester Road in Collierville. The center, which was completed in August 1999 and employed over 2,000 people, is still in use today.


 * Collierville Progresses**

The 1900's brought many new technologies to the United States and each made its way to the growing Town of Collierville. Electricity came to Collierville in 1904, however, it could only be used in the morning and evenings. After the community had used the daily allotment of power, the electricity would shut down until the following day. In 1939, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) began operating in Collierville, providing endless electrical service. In 1907, Collierville established its own telephone company. The Collierville Telephone company served the Town until it was bought by Southern Bell in 1940. A decade later, Mayor Charles Dean made the first long distance phone call from Collierville, when he called his son, Robert Dean, in Boston, Massachusetts. Collierville also enjoyed television. Willard Ewing, a Collierville businessman, owned the first television in Town. According to Mrs. Elizabeth Parr, the first program viewed was a football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss, played at Crump Stadium in Memphis. This was the first television program publicly broadcasted in Shelby County in December of 1948. The first car to be owned in Collierville came in 1905 when Dr. E.K. Leak purchased a Maxwell, "with one high seat, top, curtains, and large wheel." In 1907, Leake purchased a motorcycle, giving Collierville another transportaion first. As traffic increased in Collierville, the need for good roadways became important. Two major routes were added to the Town's road system. Highway 57 (Poplar Avenue) was completed in 1937, Highway 72 to Mississippi was finished in 1945.


 * Town Organizations**

Collierville's rapid growth created the need for expanding town orgnizations. The police department grew to serve the safety needs of the growing town. Since 1870, Collierville's citizens had been served by an elected "Town Marshall," yet, in 1950, an ordinance was passed changing the title to "Chief of Police." The ordinance declared the Chief of Police would be appointed by the Mayor and Board of Alderman. The first Chief of Police was Jesse Lowe. Lowe was unable to drive a car, so he rode a bicycle while on patrol. Collierville's police force used their own vehicles while on duty until February of 1954, when the first patrol car was purchased. The car was bought from Kelsey Brothers Chevrolet Company on Main Street for the cost of $1,537.95. Unfortunately, the car was wrecked by April of the next year, and a new car was purchased. Radio transmitters were installed in this squad car and at Town Hall. In the 1990's the department became nationally accredited by the Commision on Law Enforcement Accreditation (CALEA), an organization that recognizes professional excellence in law enforcement.

Collierville's growing population needed a well-equipped fire department. As early as 1893, Collierville was served by a volunteer fire department. These volunteers faithfully served the community until 1967, when the Town hired the fire departments first two employees, Ben Wilson and Mike McVay. The first fire engine was purchased in 1931. The engine was kept at 127 Main Street. Ironically, this building would burn down in 1944. Another significant fire engine was given to the fire department on December 23, 1971. According to the Collierville Fire and Rescue Website, "Santa came early...when a big red fire truck was left standing in front of the Day and Night-Payne company, now Carrier Corporation."


 * View //The Collierville Herald//'s article on the Christmas Fire Engine.**

The fire department received another important gift in 1983, when Club 100, a support group for the fire department, provided the funds to purchase the "Jaws of Life," a tool used to remove people trapped in a vehicle after an accident. In 1986, The Advanced Life Support Unit was developed, ensuring that at least one paramedic with the most modern equipment for patient care responds to each call. As the fire department increased in size and demand, so did the number of fire stations. In 1946, the cornerstone for the first fire staion was laid at 128 North Main Street. This building is still used as Fire Station Number 1. There are currently six fire stations serving the Town.

Besides recongizing the need for the Town's safety, Collierville's citizens also saw the need for recreation. On March 2, 1956, Collierville's first library was opened on the corner of North Rowlett and Walnut Street. Prior to this the community had been served by a bookmobile, yet when the service ended in 1951, the community had no resource for borrowing books. The Contemporary Club of Collierville organized the first library in a white stucco building that had been a hamburger restaurant. This building served the community until 1965 when a new building was constructed to accommodate the growing number of books and patrons. This building served the community until March 3, 2001 when a new facility was built on Poplar View Parkway.

In the 1980's, the Town of Collierville became the home of a community center and theatre. The Community Center and Harrell Performing Arts Theatre are located at 440 West Powell Road. The land was purchased by the Town in the 1960's with the intentions of building a park. Yet, in 1981 it was decided that the land would better serve Collierville as a community center. The multi-purpose facility was built providing a gymnasium, racquetball courts, meeting rooms, game rooms, and a concession area. The Community Center was dedicated on November 4,1984. While a portion of the facility serves as a community center, the other portion is utilized as The Harrell Performing Arts Theatre. The Harrell Theatre is named after Charles Herbert Harrell, a former principal of Collierville Schools, and was dedicated on September 13, 1987. The theatre is the home of a Moller pipe organ purchased from St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Memphis for $1,200. After being refurbished in 1992, the organ was valued at $150,000.

Throughout the years Collierville has been the home of many public and private schools. In the late 1800's, Bellevue Female College, a school for girls, was operated by Miss Anna Holden. Another Collierville school at the time, ran by Profressor E.L. Perkins, was exclusively for boys. These two schools consolidated in 1905, creating the first official Collierville High School. The original building was located at the corner of Walnut Street and Poplar Avenue. In 1935, a new school building was constructed by the Work Progress Administration (WPA). The study hall, library, and main floor classrooms were retained as a part of the original building from 1905. The school housed all twelve grades. Grades one through six were on the first floor with the junior high and high school students on the upper level. This arrangement continued until 1960, when Collierville Elementary School was built on Peterson Lake Road
 * Collierville High School**

The High School building was landscaped with a sunken garden containing shrubs and flowers. The gymnasium was a "barn-like" building on the Poplar Avenue side of campus. The football field was located west of College street. Football games were played in the afternoon due to the lack of lights on the field. In the spring, the field also served as a baseball field. The auditorium was known as "the most elaborate one in the Shelby County School System." Furnished with balcony seats and a lighting system donated to the school by the Memphis Lyceum Theater, Collierville School had "a stage system equal to any in Memphis."

Enrollment in the new school was around 400 students, however, in the 1930's attendance dropped so low that the school nearly closed. Plans were made to send Collierville children to school at Forest Hill. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was spurred to action to save Collierville's school. The group began a campaign offering clothing and shoes to the poor children who were not attending school. Due to the Depression, many chidren were absent because the had nothing to wear. The campaign was successful and Collierville has been a community school ever since.

In 1996, Collierville Middle School (located on Frank and Byhalia Roads) and Collierville High School traded campuses. An addition was constructed onto the Byhalia and Frank Road building at the cost of $14,500,000. This made the facility the largest school in Shelby County. As the High School moved to its new campus, an important relic of the original building was also relocated. The school bell that had been used at Bellevue Female College is now displayed in the hallway of Collierville High School.


 * Memorable Events**

Collierville has experienced many memorable events, both wonderful and tragic. In her book, //The History of Collierville//, Elizabeth Parr recounts a plane crash that occured in the spring of 1918. A training plane from Millington broke a propeller and crashed in a field near a Collierville school. Though the crash was not serious, it provided the school children with much excitement.

Collierville has even experienced several bank robberies. Yet, one early robbery was very unusual. In 1916, Emma Lucy Blain Jenkins died leaving an envelope addressed to her seven children hidden in a trunk. When the envelope was discovered, a note inside from Emma instructed the family to "dig between the chimney of my room and the plank fence and see what you can find." Emma's son, Walter, followed the directions and found several gold coins. Walter put the coins in The People Bank on The Square (now the Pasta Italia restaurant) Yet, the story had drifted through the Town, and Bank was robbed the night Walter made the deposit. The thieves blew up the banks's safe and stole the gold coins. The identity of the robbers was never discovered.

Another unique bank robbery occurred at the Union Planters Branch Bank located on 1300 West Poplar Avenue (today Regions Bank) in September of 1991. A bank robber apparently was ashamed of his actions and returned the stolen money through the night drop. Days later, her entered the bank and surrendered.

The Collierville Cheese Carnivals are a fond memory for many of the Town's older citizens. The Carnivals were started in 1935 by the Colilerville Rotary Club to promote the thriving diary industry in Collierville. The Cheese Carnival included a queen and court, band concerts, dances and parades. In an article from the April 23, 1936 edition of //The Collierville Herald//, editor John Montgomery recalls the "first carnival was nothing short of a miracle. First it startled, then fascinated, then swept the town off its feet. The laughter heard timidly at first, swelled into a roar that reverberated the whole year." However, the Carnival ended in 1940 due to World War Two. It was not resumed due to the Swift and Company's change in ownership and location in 1942.

Collierville proudly celebrated the town's centennial in 1970. On February 17, Mayor Albert Neville Jr. issued a proclamation declaring 1970 to be Collierville's centennial year. The proclamation was made on the exact date that Collierville received its charter 100 years before. The ceremony was open to the public, and each person received a copy of the proclamation. Following the ceremony, the attendees went to Town Square Park and planted a twelve foot holly tree. Special highlights of the year-long celebration included a banquet held in the Colilerville High School gym with over 600 people in attendance. Congressman Ray Blanton was the speaker. The banquet ended with the presentation of a large birthday cake complete with 100 candles. The Town also hosted a week long festival and a play entitled "Collierville: Long Ago, Today and Tomorrow."

Television came to Collierville when a pilot show was filmed in 1985. The program, titled "On the Road", featured Harry Guardino, portraying Sam Walsh, a retired crime investigator, and Janet Leigh, as Sam's wife Kate. The episode's plot focused on the Walsh's traveling the nation in their motor home. The couple visited the annual Elvis Presley Day Observance and is unwittingly involved in the theft of Elvis memorabilia and an odd murder. Many Town citizens were used as extras, and several Collierville locations, such as Suggs Park, the old depot, and The Square were used during filming.


 * View a scanned copy of the //Collierville Herald's// article on the "On Our Way" filming.**


 * Collierville Today**

If Jesse Collier were here today, he would be very proud of the place he began in 1836 by advertising "Town of Collier for sale." Today Collierville is one of the America's fastest growing towns. Home to approximately 44,304 people, Collierville began a population boom in the 1970's that has yet to wane. Long-time citizen, Tom Brooks laughs when recalling a meeting in which a town planner predicted that Collierville's population would one day reach 50,000. Mr. Brooks thought the man was "a lunatic." Yet, the number of citizen population will soon reach the projected number. In 2008, Collierville was chosen by Relocate-America as one of the top 100 places to live in the United States.

Collierville businesses have also expanded in the last decade, with the additions of the Avenue Carriage Crossing shopping center and the campuses of Baptist Memorial Hospital and The University of Memphis. The completion of State Route 385 has also given the Town easier accessibility to travelers. The Town gained national attention in June of 2010, when Collierville High School was listed by //Newsweek// magazine as one of the nations best public schools. Yet, despite the rapid changes to Collierville, the town maintains a small-town feel that is treasured by many of its citizens. Cyndee Ross, a school teacher who has lived in Collierville for sixteen years, glows while speaking of the Town, "I feel so loved by everyone...It's like living in Mayberry." Her feelings are echoed by many residents.

Compiled by Kimberly Liles Ison

=Thank you to Tom Brooks, Cyndee Ross, and the staff of the Memphis and Shelby County Room of the Memphis Public Library and Information Center.= =A special thank you to Mrs. Clarene Russell, Mrs. Elizabeth Parr, and Mrs. Anne Babbin for their generous assistance in this project, and the wealth of research and knowledge they have shared.=

1. "The north side of The Square, 1892," Collection of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr., Library 2. "The north side ofThe Square, today," Ison, Kimberly Liles, July 19, 2010 3. "Cotton bales along Main Street," //Images of America Collierville//, Main Street Collierville, Arcadia Publishing, 2006, p.11 4. "A child enjoying a Wonder Horse," Personal collection of Betty Liles. 5. "First long distance phone call," //Images of America Collierville//, Main Street Collierville, Arcadia Publishing, 2006, p. 42 6. "Collierville's Original Library," Collection of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr., Library 7. "Collierville's Second Library," Collection of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr., Library 8. "Collierville's Library Today," Collection of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr., Library 9. "Harrell Theatre and Community Center," Ison, Kimberly Liles, July 19, 2010 10. "Collierville's 'old' High School," Collection of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr., Library 11. "Collierville High School, 1992-today," Collierville High School 100 Years of History and Memories, 2005, p. 12. "Mulberry Steet during the Cheese Carnival" //Images of America Collierville//, Main Street Collierville, Arcadia Publishing, 2006, p. 21
 * Image Sources:**