~ Lauren
Do you love Egyptian architecture and artifacts but don’t want to make the trip all the way to Egypt? Then you should visit Memphis, Tennessee! Many people know that Memphis is famous for its Civil Rights history, its music, and its BBQ (see 3 Days in Memphis and The Ultimate Memphis Barbecue Guide). But what a lot of people don’t know is that Memphis also has quite the history of Egyptomania, or the obsession with all things Egyptian.
Memphis’ obsession with Egypt dates all the way back to its naming. Some time between 1818 and 1820, General James Winchester named Memphis after the ancient city of Memphis, Egypt. Many other towns along the Mississippi River (or the American Nile) were also named after Egyptian cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Karnak, and Thebes. As a result of its namesake, Memphis has many fascinating Egyptian sites you can still see today.
4 Must See Egyptian Sites in Memphis, Tennessee
1. 1924 Ballard & Ballard Obelisk Flour Building
The Ballard & Ballard Co. Obelisk Flour Building is the last thing you expect to find in downtown Memphis. Located between Riverside Drive and Front Street, this obelisk covered building is about halfway between the Orpheum Theater and the National Civil Rights Museum. The façade features hieroglyphics (that are nonsense), sphinxes, camels, and more. The flour company was owned by 2 brothers. One of the brothers, Samual Thruston Ballard, was so obsessed with Egypt that in 1904, he actually bought a mummy. Ballard & Ballard distributed Obelisk Flour, which is what inspired the building’s design. The building currently houses H&S Printing.
Important Information: 325 Wagner Street

Ballard & Ballard Co. Obelisk Flour Building

Ramses Statue at the University of Memphis
2. Egyptian Gallery and Ramses Statue at the University of Memphis
The University of Memphis has a free art museum on campus. The Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology at UofM maintains an Egyptian artifact collection within the art museum. The collection features over 250 objects on permanent display, including real mummies! The gallery is currently closed for renovations but will reopen February 2018.
Outside the Theater and Music buildings on campus, right off Central Avenue, there is an exact replica of a statue of Ramesses II. This statue was originally created for the Memphis Pyramid. However, after the Pyramid was turned into a Bass Pro Shop, the statue did not seem appropriate. So, it was moved to the University of Memphis. This statue, which was created with the permission of the Egyptian government, looms quite impressively over the area at a height of 25 feet.
Important Information: memphis.edu/egypt
Museum Hours: Monday-Saturday 9-5, closed on University holidays and between temporary exhibits
3. Egyptian Pylon Entrance at the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
The pylon entrance to the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, constructed in 1990-91, bears possibly the first phonetic, legible renderings of hieroglyphics, containing words such as “kangaroo” and “shark.” This legibility differs from other Egyptianizing animal pavilions in Antwerp, Berlin, and Detroit precisely because of the legibility of hieroglyphics.
Just like the Ballard & Ballard Obelisk Flour Building, the hieroglyphics at these other zoos are complete nonsense. In front of the entrance are rows of animal sculptures that are lined up to resemble the Avenue of Sphinxes in Egypt. Once you enter the zoo, two more buildings flank you that are designed in the style of Egyptian temples. In the center of the plaza stands an obelisk.
Important Information: 2000 Prentiss Place, memphiszoo.org

Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Pyramid
At 321 feet, the Pyramid is a 60% scale of the Great Pyramid of Giza, making it the 10th tallest pyramid in the world and the 2nd tallest in the United States. It was built in 1991 to be a much needed monument for the city of Memphis. Unfortunately, the Pyramid seemed to be cursed with bad luck and it closed in 2005. It stood empty until Bass Pro Shops negotiated with Memphis and signed a 55-year-lease for the building. It opened to the public in April 2015.
Inside the Pyramid is a 28-story-tall freestanding elevator that is the tallest freestanding elevator in the Western hemisphere, if not the world. For $10, you can ride all the way to the top of the Pyramid to get an unbelievable view of Memphis and the Mississippi River. Despite the Bass Pro Shop located just inside, these balconies are actually pretty romantic spots. I personally have gone on a date there and witnessed two proposals.

Sunset view from the Memphis Pyramid observation deck
Important Information: 1 Bass Pro Drive, stores.basspro.com

Memphis Pyramid
Have you been to or seen any interesting “Egyptian” buildings? What do you think about American cities and companies using ancient Egyptian designs? Please Share by commenting below!
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Agness of a Tuk Tuk
January 12, 2018 12:45 pmMemphis is my bucket list destination and these are some awesome sites, Carmen and Joe! I would really love to experience that view from Memphis Pyramid observation deck!
Pack Your Baguios
January 16, 2018 8:54 amIt is a great place to watch the sunset on the Mississippi River!
Marvi
January 15, 2018 10:11 amI didn’t know that Memphis got it’s name from the Memphis in Egypt! That’s so interesting to know.. 🙂 Love how the city was able to preserve its ‘Egyptomania’ sites up until this day. Does the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium have animals from Egypt too?
Pack Your Baguios
January 16, 2018 8:59 amYes, they do. In fact the newest exhibit is called the Zambezi River Hippo Camp. Winnie, the baby hippo, was born there last year!
Oana
January 15, 2018 10:12 amEgypt has been on my bucket list for a long time now but I never had the chance to go there nor to Memphis. I like the Egyptian Pylon from the zoo and the pyramid seems really cool – wish we could have one in london. Being proposed on the observation deck while watching the Mississippi River is definitely romantic.
Pack Your Baguios
January 16, 2018 9:00 amWhen the sun is setting on the Mississippi River, you get a beautiful reflection on the glass of the pyramid.
Mel
January 15, 2018 3:00 pmThis is great! I’ve been to Memphis before but never knew there were egyptian sites. Awesome to know for next time!
Pack Your Baguios
January 16, 2018 9:02 amI love learning little history tidbits about places. It gives the place more interest!
Olive
January 16, 2018 5:17 amLoved your post.Must see places, Memphis Pyramid. Keep sharing.
Pack Your Baguios
January 16, 2018 9:03 amThank you for stopping by!
Renata
January 17, 2018 9:47 amIt’s incredible how all these cultures were imported and copied in the US: The Italian copies like Venice – copying…take a wild guess, and now here Egypt (finally it’s also reflected in the love for Disney World). However, I always try to see the sights rather in their original places. I’ve been to Memphis/Egypt and found it funny that it has the same name as the city in Tennessee – never thought about it that ‘your’ Memphis was named after the original one – doooh.
Pack Your Baguios
January 17, 2018 9:55 amI teach ancient history (6th grade), and when we get to ancient Egypt, I always have at one student ask if Memphis, Egypt was named after our town. Kids have no concept of time!
Varsha
January 18, 2018 2:03 amThis list is quite different from that of popular places we usually read about Egypt. Really, I never knew about these. Thanks for sharing.
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:52 amThanks for stopping by!
ada
January 19, 2018 8:24 amI had no idea about all those Egyptians Site in Memphis ! I really like the Egyptian Pylon Entrance and the view from the Pyramid ! So beautiful! Egypt was one of my first travel Ive done in my life but unfortunately I didn’t really see much as it was more ” chilling by the pool ” holidays back then. Hopefully I can go back there again one day and explore like I should have. I would also love visit Memphis one day as I love music !
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:53 amIf you’re a music lover, Memphis is the place to go! It’s the home of the blues and birthplace of rock n’ roll!
Albert
January 19, 2018 8:32 amI lived outside of Memphis for 2 years and never knew some of these! Really cool. I can’t wait to go back.
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:54 amMy daughter is working on her master’s in art history, so she is a wealth of architecture information!
Bruce
January 19, 2018 5:39 pmI love when we can find little versions of touristy places hidden in our every day lives! I’m a big fan of Egyptian history, so i’ll be adding a trip to Memphis as part of my itinerary 🙂
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:55 amUs, too! We love finding little hidden gems!
Sandy N Vyjay
January 21, 2018 8:26 amIt is fascinating to note the connection of Memphis, Tennessee to Egypt. I never knew that there was a connection. Have always been fascinated by Egyptian civilization, history and culture and this is something new for me, the American connection. Will have to do some research on this based on the information of the 4 sites that you have given here.
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:56 amI find connections like this in history extremely fascinating!
Swati
January 22, 2018 8:59 amHaven’t been to Egypt yet so can’t share any interesting Egyptian building. Had no idea Memphis got its name from the Memphis in Egypt. Had no idea about the history even. Egyptian Gallery and Ramses Statue look quite interesting.
Pack Your Baguios
January 23, 2018 7:57 amThe Egyptian Gallery is currently getting a huge renovation and should be even better!