As Memphians celebrate 901 Day today (which started after a grassroots campaign in 2012 by locals Jen Clarke and Kerry Crawford), the Bluff City also celebrates the anniversary of an icon, as on this day in 1869 the original Peabody Hotel first opened its doors on the corner of Main and Monroe.
Initially founded by Robert Campbell Brinkley (and named after the philanthropist George Peabody), the Peabody Hotel would eventually move to its current location on Union Ave in 1925, ironically, also on September 1st.
From there, such memorable traditions would emerge as the Peabody Ducks, which began in 1933 after General Manager Frank Schutt placed live ducks in the lobby’s fountain as a prank after a hunting trip.
And while the landmark suffered from a decline and closure, the generous assistance of the Belz family would see the Peabody Hotel be restored and reopened in 1981, again on September 1st, thus cementing its legacy as a true symbol of the 901 on this 901 Day.
