Healthy Home Assessments in Memphis

Inside a Memphis home

Memphis is a small city of 1,084 residents at the 2020 census that straddles the Macomb and St. Clair county line, settled in 1834 as Wells Settlement and renamed Memphis in 1848 for its bluff location overlooking the Belle River. A local distinction: Site of the first recorded automobile built in Michigan, the Clegg steam car known as The Thing, constructed in the John Clegg & Son machine shop in 1884 and 1885. Those residents occupy about 438 households. Incorporated as a village on April 4, 1865, and reached city status in 1953.

How the housing sits

Of units counted in 2023, 63.3% are detached single-family homes and 65.6% of occupied units are owner-occupied. Bachelor's attainment among adults is 14.8%. The building record here reaches back to 1884, and an older envelope moves air and holds moisture on its own terms. Among the local landmarks: Former site of the John Clegg & Son machine shop (razed 1936) where "The Thing" was built.

Near Belle River the humidity picture shifts, which puts basement moisture, condensation and drainage first.

Named places in Memphis:

• The Thing Historical Marker. Michigan historical marker L824 on Bordman Road commemorates the Clegg steam car of 1884, the first recorded automobile built in Michigan.
• Belle River. River flowing along the north and east sides of town whose bluff setting led settlers to choose the name Memphis in 1848.
• Memphis Festival Days. Annual community festival held each August and listed on the official city event calendar.
• Ed Musial Memorial Park. City park on the Belle River at the M-19 north end of town with picnic areas, playgrounds and walking trails.

Corners of the map

Mail runs through the 48041 ZIP code. Henry Ford reportedly wanted to buy the Clegg machine shop for Greenfield Village, but it was razed in 1936, shortly before his offer.