The first Port of Memphis
grain elevator opened in 1937. It was constructed by the
Public Works Administration and located in
North Memphis on the
Wolf River. The facility saw exponential growth of shipments in 1939 and 1940 due to the shift from cotton to corn among Arkansas farmers. In 1946, the City of Memphis and
Shelby County governments developed a concept for a new industrial area with river access that was separate from downtown, but close enough for commerce. The chosen location for this concept was
President's Island. However, President's Island was a flood plain; this was resolved by the creation of a dam connecting the northern tip of the island to shore. A harbor was dredged on the slack water side of the island, with the materials retrieved from dredging being used to raise land along the bank to create an industrial park. In 2019, the Port Commission was awarded a $1.7 million grant from the
Tennessee Department of Transportation to expand the capacity of the
rail yard. It signed a contract with
Watco to operate the public terminal. == Facilities ==