Before there was a Veterans Plaza, there was "The Doughboy" statue - a memorial to World War I.  It was made in 1926 from copper pennies that were collected by local school children.  Today it is the hallmark of Veterans Plaza, which contains memorials to the veterans of Memphis and Shelby County who were killed defending the freedom of the United States.  There are a collection of memorials:  World War I (1926 and 1932), World War II (2001), Korean War (2003), Vietnam War (2003), Desert Storm (2003).  There is also a plaque commending Pete Dugan, a WWII veteran for "...his steadfast commitment to the cause of Veterans Plaza in Overton Park". 

Memphis College of Art, known before 1985 as the Memphis Academy of Arts, is a small, private college of art and design.  Small by choice and purpose, the school averages around 450 students each year.  The school was founded in 1936 and moved into the new facilities in Overton Park in 1959.

The Japanese Gardens were built in 1914 around an existing pond were the Memphis College of Art is currently located.  It was a gift from former Memphis Park Commissioner Robert Galloway.  George Kessler, who designed Overton Park, also designed the Japanese Garden.  His design included pagodas, an arched bridge to a central island, and many decorative sculptures.   The area was very popular and perhaps the most photographed feature of Overton Park.  After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the gardens were severely damaged by vandalism.  Park officials decided that rather than making repairs, the structures would be removed.  A fountain was installed in the redesigned pond. 

The Walkways, benches, and garden beds of the Formal Gardens extend from Morrie Moss Lane on the western boundary of Overton Park to Veterans Plaza.  They were established in 1904-05 and continue to present a colorful array of seasonal flowers against a background of evergreen and deciduous trees.  The layout of the flower beds has remained basically the same since its inception.  The Clara Conway Memorial Pergola was originally built in conjunction with the Formal Gardens.  The Memorial was destroyed in a 1936 storm, but many residents still associate the Conway name with the Formal Gardens.
 

The Greensward is one of the largest open areas in Memphis with no designated purpose other than outdoor recreation.  It provides a safe place to play Frisbee, soccer, to jog, picnic, make music, ride bikes, romp with dogs, fly kites, and just hang out.  There are no predetermined locations for activities - just stake a claim to an unoccupied area and have fun.  For several years the Memphis Zoo has been encroaching on the area.  They want 2 1/2 acres along the north edge for expanded Zoo parking.  The Overton Park Conservancy group is naturally, opposed.

Rainbow Lake is a concrete-lined lake forming the eastern boundary of the Greensward.  This 2 acre lake has a curvilinear shape and has a water cascade on the east side.  A sidewalk completely goes around the lake.  Its name comes from the rainbow colors created when a water fountain (no longer present) was installed in the lake in 1929.  It was the only remaining water feature from George Kessler's original plan.

The 9-hole Overton Park Golf Course is located in the southwestern part of the park.  It's a 2,222-yard, par 34 course with 3 sets of tee-boxes for different levels of golfing experience.  The course was built in 1926.  The Abe Goodman Golf Clubhouse is a Tudor-styled, brick building.

The Old Forest Arboretum (172 acres) is a forest tract and natural arboretum located on the east side of Overton Park.  It is open to the public without charge.  The Old Forest is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes over 300 plant varieties.  Walking trails are maintained within the area and markers identify 32 tree species.

Credits

The Historic-Memphis website does not intentionally post copyrighted photos and material without permission or credit.  On occasion a "non-credited" photo might possibly be posted because we were unable to find a name to give credit.  Because of the nature of our non-commercial, non-profit, educational website, we strongly believe that these photos would be considered "Fair Use.  We have certainly made no monetary gain, although those using this website for historic or Genealogy research have certainly profited.  If by chance, we have posted your copyrighted photo, please contact us, and we'll remove it immediately, or we'll add your credit if that's your choice.  In the past, we have found that many photographers volunteer to have their works included on these pages and we'll  also do that if you contact us with a photo that fits a particular page. 

The "Historic-Memphis" website would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions which helped make this website possible:  Memphis Public Library, Memphis University Library, Memphis Law Library, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Press Scimitar, Shelby County Register of Deeds, Memphis City Schools, Memphis Business Men's Club, Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Memphis City Park Commission, Memphis Film Commision, Carnival Memphis, Memphis Historical Railroad Page, Memphis Heritage Inc, Beale Street Historic District, Cobblestone Historic District, Memphis Historic Districts, Vance Lauderdale Family Archives, Tennessee State Archives, Library of Congress, Kemmons Wilson Family, Richard S. Brashier, Lee Askew, George Whitworth, Woody Savage and many individuals whose assistance is acknowledged on the pages of their contributions.  Special thanks to Memphis Realtor, Joe Spake, for giving us carte blanche access to his outstanding collection of contemporary Memphis photos.

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