290 South Front St. Memphis, TN
Circa 1876. 2.5 story Italianate townhouse
From Memphis Heritage
John (J. A.) Alexander Austin (1842-1906) built the family home on the river bluffs south of Memphis. He was married twice: Caroline Azalia Fowler Austin (1851-1879)(m. 1871) and Lillie "Lilly" Martin Austin (1845-1904)(j.1881).
In the latter 19th century, the South Bluff area was an affluent residential area close to the river. It remained desirable into the 1890s. However, by 1892, because of the Frisco Railroad and Bridge construction over the Mississippi River, the neighborhood moved to commercial. Affluent neighborhoods developed east of town.
Austin was an important manufacturer and retailer of men’s clothing in the region - Austin's Clothing Company. In 1872, Austin got advance monies from his New York employer and went to Memphis to open a business - “The Grand Palace” Grubb & Austin. In 1879, the company was reorganized and renamed to Grubb, Austin & Berry until 1883. Austin bought out a partner and brought in his brother Albert Austin as well as Alba Lake to a renamed J. A. Austin & Co. In 1887, the company had a 4 story building at 323 Main St. 1895, Austin incorporated with the Austin brothers, Lake and W. B. Cleveland. In 1905, Austin retired, then died.
His son, J. A. Austin, Jr.(1872-1916) and brother Albert Morris (A. M.) Austin (1826-1908) owned the home as estate trustees. Albert's wife was Susan Margaret Ann Holman Austin (1839-1930)(m.1865). J.A. Austin and his wife Clara Francs Falls Austin (1872-1945)(m.1895) built a new home at some point in the newer Midtown area. The home remained in the Austin family until the 1930s. In 1907, the home was converted to a rental and then became a boarding house until 1984.
In 1984, the owners were the Kevin Rea family. It is the last residential home in the South Bluffs area which was once a fashionable neighborhood.
NR 1984
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