The Heights

The Heights is a collection of neighborhoods — Highland Heights, Mitchell Heights, Graham Heights, and others — located roughly between Tillman and Graham Streets to the east and west and Jackson and Summer Avenues to the north and south.

It's predominantly working class with modest homes, young families, and many senior residents. The area was first developed in the early 1900s and boomed as Summer Avenue grew into a major Memphis thoroughfare. Today it's one of the most ethnically diverse areas the city, with business owners and families from more than 30 different countries. 

Join us for our in-depth coverage of The Heights from September to December 2018. 

Feature Story Heights CDC Special Projects Director Dane Forlines said the new bioswale will improve water quality in the neighborhood and beyond. (Reginald Johnson)
Feature Story PRIZM Ensemble executive director Gavin Wigginson (submitted)
Feature Story Artist James Harton poses next to his sculpture of an ostrich. (Leigh Tatum)
Feature Story The vacant barber shop at 769 National Street was topped with a sign made from repurposed Christmas lights and the boards that once shuttered the windows. (Markus Mueller)

What have these Heights organizations been up to since 2018?


Feature Story Drew Joyner and partners Octavius Nickson and Chris Hendrix of Nickson General Contractors purchased the 11-bay retail center at the southeast corner of Summer and National Street in May. They're now updating the exterior. (Cole Bradley)

What's happening on Summer Avenue?


Feature Story On the greensward at Overton Park, members of the Central High School band take a few extra minutes to practice their parts as the rest of the band wraps up practice behind them. May 2021. (Cole Bradley)

The parks are packed as Memphians look to work and play safely


Feature Story food this one

Destination Eats: Devour the world from The Heights


Feature Story Meghan Paige (left) and Keneisha Malone opened Terra Cotta October 3, 2020. The store is both a plant shop and space for customers to shop locally made goods, including jewelry, apparel, and candles. (Submitted)

Women Working It: The plants and passion of Terra Cotta


Feature Story An employee of La Michoacana ice cream and paleta shop serves up a fruit cup with tajin. (Forever Ready Productions)

Video: Paletas in the pandemic with La Michoacana


Feature Story Husband and wife Nancy and Patricio Gonzalez carry equipment to the Gaisman Community Center at the end of game day. They are the directors and coaches of Illegal Arts Memphis soccer league. (Natalie Eddings)

In Photos: Memphis neighborhoods revisited


Feature Story HickHill3

Immigrants face new fears for jobs and citizenship post-pandemic (Quick Read)