High Point Terrace in East Memphis: Neighborhood Spotlight

Some neighborhoods take a while to warm up to. High Point Terrace is not one of them. Tucked into East Memphis just east of Highland Street, it has tree-lined streets, tidy postwar homes, its own little shopping center, and a paved trail running right through the middle. Most addresses fall in the 38122 and 38111 zip codes, with the Poplar Avenue corridor and neighboring 38117 a short drive south. Here is a practical, neighbor-to-neighbor look at how it is laid out, where it came from, and what day-to-day life nearby looks like.

Where It Sits and How the Streets Are Laid Out

High Point Terrace is generally described as the area north of Walnut Grove Road, east of North Highland Street, and west of North Graham Street, reaching up toward Summer Avenue. Sam Cooper Boulevard cuts across the neighborhood from west to east, separating a smaller northern section from the larger part to the south. The street that shares the neighborhood's name, High Point Terrace, runs north from Walnut Grove across Sam Cooper toward Summer.

Inside those borders, the east-west streets carry names like Philwood, Shirlwood, Kenwood, Mimosa, and Northwood, with Aurora Circle and Eastland Drive curving through. Walnut Grove and Highland make it easy to reach Poplar Avenue and the University of Memphis area.

A Little History

The land saw some early development around 1900, but the neighborhood as we know it took shape mainly in the 1940s. William Cullen Chandler and his son Charles were the primary developers. Construction began in the early 1940s, paused during World War II, and picked back up after the war, helped along by federally backed home loans. By the early 1950s, the neighborhood was essentially built out. You will still see the Chandler name in legal descriptions, with subdivision names like Chandlers Greenlawn Addition showing up on tax records.

In 2002, the High Point Terrace Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized as a well-preserved example of a mid-century suburban neighborhood. The listing notes a rare Lustron house (a prefabricated steel home from that era) and an intact postwar neighborhood shopping center at the north end. There is even a literary footnote: Tennessee Williams wrote a play in the late 1950s, "Period of Adjustment," subtitled "High Point Is Built on a Cavern."

What the Homes Typically Look Like

Most homes in High Point Terrace were built in the 1940s and 1950s, and the dominant style is Minimal Traditional, alongside bungalows, Cape Cod-style cottages, and small ranch plans. Expect brick and wood exteriors, one-story layouts, hardwood floors, and modest footprints, though plenty of homes have been expanded over the years. Recent listings I reviewed on Philwood Avenue were built between 1942 and 1948, with lots running from roughly 7,400 to a little over 9,100 square feet, or about a sixth to a fifth of an acre, and many lots are narrow and deep.

With homes this age, condition varies a lot from one house to the next. Some have had new roofs, HVAC, electrical panels, and windows, while others are closer to original. When I walk through a home here with a client, I pay attention to the electrical and plumbing, the foundation and crawlspace, drainage, and the large trees near the house. It is also worth knowing that the historic district listing is a National Register recognition. If you are planning an addition or exterior changes, it is smart to confirm with the city what, if any, review applies to a specific address before you budget for it.

Greenline, Parks, and Local Favorites

The Shelby Farms Greenline is one of the biggest perks here. Built on a former rail line, the paved trail runs from Midtown east through High Point Terrace to Shelby Farms Park and beyond toward Cordova, and there are access points at Highland Street, High Point Terrace, and Graham Street. It is a flat, mostly shaded route for walking, running, or biking. For a change of scenery, Audubon Park, home to the Memphis Botanic Garden on Cherry Road and the neighboring Dixon Gallery and Gardens, is a short drive south across Poplar Avenue.

The small shopping center at the north end is a neighborhood anchor. High Point Grocery on High Point Terrace has served the area since around 1950. It closed briefly in 2020, then reopened that August under new ownership and has continued operating since. High Point Pizza and a neighborhood pub are nearby, and the Highland Strip, Poplar Plaza, and the University District add more dining and shopping within a few minutes.

The best-known tradition is the Fourth of July parade. July 4, 2026 marked the 77th annual parade, organized by a volunteer neighborhood committee, with decorated cars, go-karts, and antique convertibles winding through the streets.

Practical Notes: Taxes, Schools, and MLGW

High Point Terrace is inside the City of Memphis, so homeowners pay both Shelby County and City of Memphis property taxes. Residential property is assessed at 25 percent of its appraised value. According to the Shelby County Trustee, the current county rate is $2.702382 per $100 of assessed value, and the city rate is $2.58081 per $100. Bills become payable the first Monday in October and can be paid through the end of February before they go delinquent. The Trustee's website has a calculator and a lookup tool for any specific parcel.

Schools are part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Recent listings in the neighborhood show assignments to Grahamwood Elementary, White Station Middle, and White Station High, but zoning can change, so always confirm with the district for a specific address.

Electric, gas, and water service comes from MLGW (Memphis Light, Gas and Water). You can start service online through the MLGW website, and a residential service agreement is required. Some new customers may be asked for a deposit, which MLGW allows to be billed or paid in installments.

High Point Terrace offers postwar charm, a trail at the doorstep, and a long-running sense of neighborhood tradition, all close to the rest of East Memphis and Midtown. If you are curious about a particular street, want help understanding a 1940s home, or just want to talk through the area, I would be glad to help. There is never any pressure, and I am always happy to answer questions whenever you are ready.

Kelly Day, SRES, SRS, AHWD, PSA, RENE
Multi Million Dollar Club
Broker Lic # 365811
simpliHOM
901-289-9227
855-856-9466
[email protected]
https://memphishouselistings.com