Transcript

Boxtown Neighborhood, Memphis, TN: From Founding to Elon Musk xAI

Pre-Musk

1865 - Founding of Boxtown

Established shortly after the Civil War as a settlement for freedmen and formerly enslaved people on the southern edge of Memphis. The neighborhood became a refuge for African American families seeking self-determination, despite its lack of formal municipal support.

1890 - Community Institutions

Boxtown began to establish its own social and spiritual anchors, most notably White Chapel AME Church, which remains a landmark and gathering place for residents. Local businesses also emerged, including groceries and small markets, reflecting the community’s resilience and self-reliance

1968 - 1971 - Annexation to Memphis

Boxtown was officially brought under city jurisdiction. Basic municipal services like paved roads, sewer lines, and street lighting were delayed or absent for years. Residents continued paying city taxes without receiving the infrastructure that neighboring areas enjoyed, reinforcing their marginalization within Memphis