Things to See & Do
 Successfully blending the old with the new has been bringing
tourists, newcomers, and local residents together in a unique
small-town atmosphere. Just outside the reach of the Memphis
metropolitan hustle and bustle (only 25 minutes east of Memphis
on Bill Morris Parkway), you’ll find history and more in the
charming town of Collierville. Whether you’re in need of a
weekend getaway, a place to meet and retreat, or simply time
away with the family, you’re sure to make special memories here.
Historic Downtown
A delightful mix of bricks and mortar that is home to many
charming antique and specialty shops. Pedestrian friendly
streets, lazy park benches and quality shopping. A Main Street
City that has established award winning events that attract
thousands of people each year.
Fair on the Square
Come join us the first weekend in May for Collierville’s Fair on
the Square. This annual event was first held in 1976 in
celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial. Coordinated and
sponsored by the town’s Twentieth Century Club, the Fair quickly
became a tradition.
This wonderful traditional event
would not be possible without the support of the town of
Collierville. All profits from the fair are funneled back to the
community and are used to support national and international
humanitarian programs such as public schools, libraries and the
arts. The Fair also provides fundraising opportunities for many
local youth, church and civic organizations.
As in the past, the Fair will
offer a wide variety of handicrafts, needle and woodcrafts,
sculptures, baskets, pottery, ceramics, and paintings, original
jewelry, clothing and floral designs, and garden items.
Entertainment for the enjoyment
of all ages shares the stage at the historic Depot Platform at
the square’s south end.
Food such as B-B-Q, scones, egg
rolls, Italian sausage, pizza and other delights, freshly
prepared on-site, will tempt the most stalwart dieters as the
aromas drift through the trees of Collierville’s Victorian-era
square. Games, puppet shows, wagon, pony and train rides, face
painting and a petting zoo delight the young and young at heart.
For further information, contact
Judi Thumser at (901) 853-2429.
Sunset on the Square Summer
Concert Series
Every year during June and July, locals and residents from
nearby communities have come to know that 7:00 p.m. on Thursday
evenings is the time when you drop what you’re doing, grab your
lawn chairs, a picnic basket or a bucket of chicken and head for
the bandstand in the Historic Town Square.
This traditional town favorite
features a variety of musical groups ranging from R&B, Big Band
and Classical to Bluegrass, Country, and Broadway show tunes.
Young and old alike sit back and enjoy the music while savoring
a snow cone or enjoying popcorn as the nighttime breeze flows through the
park. The concerts features weekly intermission giveaways with
prizes donated by local merchants, businesses, and Main Street
members. Admission is free to the public and this park is
handicap-accessible. (no pets or alcoholic beverages are
permitted.)
For more information about the
concert series, call (901) 853-1949 or visit
www.collierville.com.
Visit Downtown Collierville
for the Holidays
With festive decorations of twinkling lights beginning December
1st through New Year’s Eve, and unique stores and restaurants
decorated for the holidays, there’s no place like Collierville
for the holidays!
Historic Sites
Depot
 As far as research can ascertain, it is believed that
Collierville has had three depots. The first was built in 1852
and believed to have been located on the North side of the
railroad tracks between Center and Walnut streets. The Battle of
Collierville was centered around this depot where Sherman’s
train arrived from Memphis around noon on Sunday, October 11,
1863. The second depot was located where Center Street now
crosses the tracks. In the mid 1940’s the existing depot was
moved from LaGrange, TN and located east of Center Street on the
north side of the railroad tracks. In 1976 Southern Railroad
gave the depot to the Town of Collierville and it was moved to
its present location in 1977.
Confederate Park
Confederate Park has a colorful past. Tradition has it that the
Irby and the Leake families gave the land on which the park is
built to the town soon after its incorporation in 1870. The
sidewalks in the park are laid out in the form of a Confederate
flag. In 1955 a tornado destroyed the two-story lattice
bandstand in the park. A 1994 public improvements project
replaced the bandstand. Today the park is used for social,
political and religious functions.
Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery is nestled among large magnolia trees from
which it received its name. It is located south of the town
square between Mt. Pleasant Road on the east, Quinn Road on the
west, and bounded on the south by land of Mrs. William Parr,
Sr., formerly owned by A.S. Stratton. The first deed recorded
for the cemetery was on May 18, 1878, in the Register’s office
of Shelby County, TN. Many different kind of tombstones are seen
throughout the cemetery. There are columns, arches, shafts of
marble, pedestals, heavy granite squares, emblems, and
delicately carved figures. In 1862 a young boy was wounded in
the Battle of Collierville and died and buried under the large
oak tree. His grave is marked “Unknown Confederate Soldier”. It
is probable there are many more soldiers buried that were never
identified.
Stagecoach Stop
This log cabin was used as the Collierville area’s stagecoach
stop for many years in the mid to late 1800’s. Built in 1851 by William W. Talley, it was once located at Byhalia Road
and South Rowlett on property now occupied by PepsiAmericas
Bottling Co. This log structure was relocated and restored in
1977 by grants by the National Can Corporation and the
Mississippi-Arkansas-Tennessee Corporation.
Train Display
Located near the Depot is a steam engine, built in 1912 for the
Frisco Railroad; and executive railcar, “The Savannah” built in
1915; and a caboose, which is typical of freight train cars for
all railroad lines. The caboose is an excellent example of the
type of rail car used by the crew of the train. A caboose such
as this was vital to the safety of the train and was attached to
the rear of the train.
The engine, No. 1351, weighs
approximately 230 tons. Among many other duties, it pulled troop
trains during World War II. No. 1351 was retired in 1952 and
spent many years at the Memphis Fairground and the Defense
Depot. This engine is on loan to the Collierville community
through the generosity of Pat Plemmons and the Memphis
Transportation Museum.
Executives of the Seaboard
Railway used “The Savannah.” The interior is virtually intact
with minimal alterations to the 1915-era construction. The
Savannah was designed for the comfort and convenience of the
railroad executives as they traveled the lines. It includes two
suites, dining room, kitchen, observation room, valet’s room and
crew’s quarters.
Shopping and Dining
Collierville offers a great variety of shopping and dining in
the area. Interested in antiques? With its abundance of fine
antique shops located throughout the town, Collierville has been
named the Antique Capitol of West Tennessee - - the destination
of choice for antique enthusiasts.
Collierville Parks and
Recreation
 If you take pleasure in the outdoors, the
Collierville Park
System offers an abundance of beautiful neighborhood parks, some
of the finest athletic fields, as well as beautiful Greenbelt
trails. Many parks are available for sporting events and family
picnics.
H.W. Cox Community Center
Opened in 1984, this recreational facility consists of
approximately 31,000 square feet, including a gym, two
racquetball courts, meetings rooms and kitchen. The center also
has a cardiovascular area. Over 100,000 visitors pass through
the facility each year to attend various instructional and/or
civic functions/classes held in the center.
The Harrell Performing Arts
Theatre
 Consists of a 352-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art light
and sound systems. The auditorium is available for rentals (i.e.
ballets, beauty pageants, lectures, etc) and is used frequently
for instructional courses including acting, drama, guitar, piano
and voice lessons. The Collierville Arts Council stages
approximately five productions each year including plays and
concert series. For more information on these productions visit
www.collierville.com.
To enjoy a variety of other
events during your visit, take a look at our
calendar of events.
You may also order a
visitors packet online that includes
information on the historic town square, antique shopping,
points of interest and restaurants and lodging.
For more tourism info, visit:
www.tourcollierville.com
www.collierville.com
www.memphistravel.com
|
