Speedway Terrace Historic District Signage

Crosstown Memphis CDC would like to fundraise $3,300 to support its project campaign to purchase "National Historic District" signage for the Speedway Terrace neighborhood, which is located in the northern part of Midtown Memphis.

The funds raised by Crosstown Memphis CDC will be generously matched by IOBY. This project represents a significant opportunity to invest in preserving the historical value and character of our beloved Speedway Terrace neighborhood.

Speedway Terrace is a historic neighborhood with nearly 350 homes and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic Midtown neighborhoods have signs to remind residents and visitors that they are in a special place with historic status. Speedway Terrace’s signs will be fabricated from metal and will be placed at major entry points to the neighborhood.

The Speedway Terrace area includes Forest on the south, Watkins Street on the East, Jackson on the North, and I-240 on the West.

CMCDC will engage its Board, members, and residents to donate and fundraise to achieve the financial goals of this project. We welcome the generous donations from others in the community and across America who share in our passion for preserving historic neighborhoods.We are proud of our community and our historic status. We worked hard to establish the Speedway Terrace Historic District and want to share it with the world.

Please donate to this project and help us meet (or exceed) our fundraising goal!

1. Kick off our fundraising campaign & solicit donations

2. Meet fundraising goal of $3,300

3. Purchase National Historic District signage with funds raised

4. Fabricate signage and confirm locations

5. Install the signage throughout the neighborhood

Crosstown Memphis CDC (CMCDC) is raising funds for signs to promote our neighborhood’s historic identity.

CMCDC endeavors to make the Speedway Terrace area a community of choice in Memphis, TN that stands apart for its historical significance, age (1890 - 1957), charm, and predominantly Craftsman, Bungalow, Four Square, and Colonial Revival style architecture. By adding historic district signage, we can demarcate the Speedway Terrace area and reinforce its aesthetic narrative as a historically relevant and nationally recognized National Historic District designated neighborhood in the City of Memphis and wider Mid-South region. We want people to be proud to put their roots down in Crosstown and the Crosstown neighborhood of Speedway Terrace. 

Back in 1903, George Kessler, who designed our tree lined Parkway system, created one unusual stretch of median specifically for the entertainment of horse, and horse and buggy races. It was a Sunday pastime to go to "The Speedway" and spend hours watching fellow citizens compete in these races. The Speedway Terrace neighborhood was named for this special place.  The design of our proposed signage attempts to capture a bit of that history.