The University of Memphis turned a century old two years ago. In the time since its inception, it has grown from a small teachers school into a bustling city university. But how?
There's a long history of growth, prosperity and social progress on the University of Memphis campus, and few know it better than Memphis historian Jimmy Ogle.
"I worked with the University in 2012 to do a walking tour covering the history of the area," Ogle said. "With so much having changed in the past two years from Raines' retirement to the closing and opening of businesses on Highland, I thought it might be time to revisit the tour."
Ogle is hosting a walking tour around the campus Wednesday. The walk-about will start at the Normal Station Depot historical marker just north of the train tracks and southeast of Ellington Hall. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. and last roughly an hour. The event will take place on campus grounds as well as portions of the Highland Strip. During the walk, Ogle will discuss local historical figures and events.
Covered in the tour will be a detailing of the development of The University of Memphis from where it started in 1912 as West Tennessee Normal School. Ogle will discuss how the school initially came to the area and how it has grown since, the history of the grounds including when buildings came to be and important/anecdotal stories of said buildings.
After starting at the train plot, the tour will also trace down Walker Avenue and up S. Highland Avenue where Ogle will talk about how the street has changed over the past 100 years from a small area outside of city limits where locals could get groceries, to a hive of youthful and activity in the late '60s, to a modern bar district with some restaurants and shops. He will then walk toward the University via Watauga Avenue and end at the Administration Building.
"I'm looking to talk about how The West Normal School began outside of city limits and grew into the University and changed the surrounding area," Ogle said.
Ogle is a native Memphian who has grown up learning about the Bluff City. Known for his vast knowledge of the area, Ogle often gives historic tours throughout different regions of Memphis. He attended the U of M and has served on the stat crew for Tigers basketball since the 1970s. He currently works the clock.
The event is open to the public. To find out more information about Jimmy Ogle, students can visit his website at jimmyogle.com.
