Whitehaven, TN
Music connected to Whitehaven
About Whitehaven
- • Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul", spent her childhood singing in Whitehaven's New Salem Baptist Church.
- • Whitehaven is considered a major birthplace of Memphis hip-hop and rap music.
- • Its location along the Illinois Central Railroad spurred growth and commerce in the late 19th century.
- • Elvis Presley's Graceland is technically located within the Whitehaven community.
- • The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927 severely impacted Whitehaven's agricultural lands.
- • Named in 1870 for the White family, it offered a "haven" for travelers and residents.
- • With roughly 50,000 residents, its population is comparable to that of Greenville, NC.
- • Its elevation sits at 331 feet, providing a relatively flat terrain.
- • Logistics and distribution are significant employment sectors due to the area's proximity to Memphis.
- • Whitehaven evokes a feeling of historic Southern charm mixed with modern urban energy.
- • The Memphis Grizzlies, based nearby, brought NBA excitement to the region in 2001.
- • Whitehaven High School's football program has produced several NFL players.