When a small group of neighbors on Stonewall successfully stopped the "golden arches" of McDonalds from rising above the residential corner of Stonewall and Poplar in Midtown Memphis, they didn't realize they were beginning one of the oldest and strongest neighborhood associations in the city!

Since that time 30 years ago the Association became the city's first Historic Conservation District, fought successfully to maintain the power of the Landmarks Commission against strong political opposition, and aided its neighboring associations to gain Historic Landmarks status in the city.

But the biggest success has been the redevelopment of "the Corridor" where the land had been stripped of homes and businesses in anticipation of an I-240 expressway though Midtown and Overton Park. Over 200 houses in the neighborhood were destroyed before a 20-year battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court saved Overton Park and cleared the way for the city to purchase and resell the lots.

On an exciting morning in September 1991, bids were opened. And construction began! Today rebuilding is almost complete. Family homes compatible with the Historic District have added more than 500 residents to walk, jog, bike, visit on their porches. The neighborhood has been "knitted back together" in a beautiful pattern of people who make up the heart of Midtown.

Today's EHDA has goals to protect the historic quality of our residential neighborhood, promote appropriate commercial development in the commercial areas around the neighborhood, resist commercial encroachment into residential areas, and to promote a strong sense of community. EHDA is an all-volunteer organization with activities planned, organized and run by neighbors.

Money raised by EHDA through annual dues and a biennial home tour goes for a number of neighborhood activities. In addition to two large general membership meetings/seminars each year, residents get together annually for an Easter Egg Hunt, individual blocks have parties promoting Neighborhood Watch during National Night Out in August, Evergreen's Williamson Park is the venue for a terrific Fall Picnic in October, and Evergreeners are joined by a brass band and travel on a parade float around the neighborhood Christmas Caroling to residents of the Parkview, Target House, and throughout the neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon in December. 

Money also goes to support an aggressive tree-planting campaign to "re-canopy" the neighborhood with native hardwood trees, maintaining the Sallie Hillard Memorial Mini-Park behind Drake Cleaners on Evergreen, Memphis Heritage, St. Peters Manor, Snowden and Central Schools, and partnering with other neighborhood associations to promote Midtown and provide forums for political candidates. 

Also a funding priority is EHDA's communication network. A network of about 60 volunteer block captains delivers flyers door-to-door prior to neighborhood events, a newsletter is published and mailed quarterly, a telephone hotline is maintained, and e-mails are routinely sent to members updating them on current events. 

A fund is also maintained in case legal assistance is needed to advance the goals or protect the stability of Evergreen.