Two views of the surviving portion of a series of 19th century Mississippi Riverfront Landings here in Memphis, Tennessee. Construction of the cobblestone (from Illinois) landings began in 1819 and weren't completed until after the American Civil War. The construction of the Memphis Landing (shown here) between 1859 and 1881 was the largest and most complex public works project undertaken by the City of Memphis in the nineteenth century. Before the war portions were constructed utilizing slave labor, and after the war construction companies took over the job. For many decades the Landing bustled with activity. River boats of every design, from freight to passenger travel were constantly coming and going, often lined up and waiting out in the river. The large iron circles pictured here are anchored deeply into the ground, and over the years countless river boats would tie up preventing the swift current of the Mighty Mississippi River from causing an unscheduled departure. Standing there on a quiet Monday morning it was extremely easy for me to close my eyes and hear the hustle & bustle that took place daily at this once hotbed of commercial activity. But as times always change, the growth of the nation's railroads slowly diminished the importance of the Landing for passenger traffic, especially after the completion of the Frisco Railroad Bridge in 1892 (still in operation). Agriculturally speaking, the landing continued commerce well into the great depression, but that business also faced the long decline as the railroads gradually took over. Along the river today, the Memphis landing is by far the best preserved of the remaining 19th century urban riverfront landings. If ever in town, it's well worth the stroll. Thanks for reading, marshall