T.O. Fuller State Park

T.O. Fuller State Park was the first state park open for African Americans east of the Mississippi River. A Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the area initiated construction of the park facilities in 1938. It was designated Shelby County Negro State Park in 1938 and was later changed to T.O. Fuller State Park in 1942 in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller, a prominent African-American educator, pastor, politician, civic leader and author, who spent his life empowering and educating African Americans. Dr. Fuller served as principal of the Howe Institute, a precursor to Lemoyne-Owen College, for 27 years.

T. O. Fuller State Park works to preserve the park's CCC history and demonstrate how early park development fits within the context of the African American civil rights movement in Tennessee. The park also boasts a historical significance dating back even before its founding. During excavations in 1940, workers unearthed evidence of a prehistoric village, opening the door to a lost and forgotten civilization. The site has since been developed as Chucalissa Indian Village and is operated by the University of Memphis. It includes a village, preserved archaeological excavations and a modern museum.

Although the park is close to the city, the wooded area of the park allows for a natural and serene setting. Its diverse terrain, from the Mississippi flood plains to the high and overshadowing bluff ridges, makes the area an ideal place for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. This rich historical significance, combined with unique biological diversity makes T.O. Fuller a special gem within the Tennessee State Park system.