Master politician and powerful machine boss E. H. Crump began to consult with Fuller as the voice of the African American community. In 1927 after the Roger Williams University had burned in Nashville, Fuller requested permission to develop a new institution in Memphis. Local civic clubs were especially opposed to this request and the city government refused to give Fuller the necessary building permits to build on the property he had purchased on South Parkway. By 1931 Fuller took a leave from Howe Institute and began researching, writing, and publishing books aimed at increasing African American pride with the hopes that by providing the African American history that was missing from traditional American history narratives the result would be that of empowering black youth to continue the established progress of their forefathers. In the late 1930s, the Foote Homes project condemned the property of First Colored Baptist Church, Howe Institute, and several other black institutions, businesses, and many residences. In 1939 Fuller helped relocate the church across the street from Booker T. Washington High School on a lot occupied by the historic Sanford home and a Second Empire-style dwelling which had been remodeled into a settlement house named the Bethlehem Center. The church and former settlement house, which was used as his parsonage, and church offices are now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Fuller was selected to give the invocation at a ceremony when President Theodore Roosevelt visited Memphis, had four wives, authored six books, lived at the parsonage until his death, and is buried at New Park Cemetery. The T. O. Fuller State Park was originally known as the Shelby County Negro State Park from its inception in 1938 until the name was changed in 1942, after his death, and to honor his life accomplishments. The park consists of 1, 138 acres in the southern limits of the city of Memphis. It was the first state park opened for African Americans east of the Mississippi River. Nearby attractions include the Chucalissa Indian Village, which was discovered when by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp 1464-SP-10, when they were responsible for building park facilities. During an excavation for a proposed swimming pool in 1940, the prehistoric village was unearthed by CCC workers. Currently operated by the University of Memphis, Chucalissa Indian Village includes a village, preserved archeological excavations, and a museum. T. O. Fuller Park amenities include: Forty-five (45) RV accessible campground sites featuring tent camping, a picnic shelter, playground, bathhouse, laundry facility, dump station and trash receptacle, and individual camps have picnic tables, lantern hangers, fire rings, grills, electrical, and water hookups. An Olympic-size pool and splash pad featuring a bathhouse with showers and restrooms, and trained lifeguards. More than 8 miles of natural hiking trails ranging in difficulty from moderate to rugged; the Day Use Trail, a quarter-mile trail located in the main recreation area; and The Discovery Trail, a 4.5-mile continuous loop with a number of scenic points of interest including the wetlands and the Chucalissa Indian Village. Four pavilion-type shelters that can accommodate from 40 to 120 family or class reunion and other large guest events. Each shelter includes grills, nearby bathroom facilities, picnic tables, and electrical outlets. Four Playgrounds located in the main recreational area (2), the camping area, and Picnic Shelter No. 4. The Shelby Bluff Center meeting facility, which has a playground nearby, is a popular location for weddings, meetings, and indoor reunion activities. With a seating capacity of 180, the facilities amenities include folding chairs, tables, central heat and air, a fully functional kitchen with appliances, PA system, projector with screen. A conference room An Outdoor classroom The environmentally friendly Interpretive Center, an indoor and outdoor educational classroom located in the park’s wildlife habitat area, is the ideal location for demonstrating energy efficiency techniques including photo-voltic cells, geothermal heating, and geothermal air conditioning. The center is the home of the park’s flight cages, outdoor classroom, conference room, gift shop, and includes information regarding the wildlife habitat of West Tennessee. The Wildlife Habitat/Birding Area consists of floodplain wetlands and native wildflowers, grassy meadows and upland ponds. Rare black-bellied whistling ducks and nesting black-necked stilts call the area home as it is quickly becoming a significant birding area for resident and migratory songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and wintering waterfowl. Continued on Page 20 17
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