VECA History

A Brief History of VECA

The Vollintine Evergreen Community Association (VECA) was founded in 1970 to increase communication in the diverse neighborhood that previously had no organization. VECA founded a newsletter which continues to be published. VECA was inclusive involving all areas of the neighborhood in decision making, committee membership, and board membership. Regular meetings allowed all residents to have input into addressing issues of concern.

Among the early issues tackled by VECA was code enforcement when landlords were not taking care of their properties, zoning issues to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood, and a national historic district to recognize the architecture in the area. VECA was solely a volunteer, grassroots organization until 1995.

In 1995, VECA received a large grant to rehabilitate housing, purchase an abandoned railroad route that became the V&E Greenline, hire staff, open an office, develop block clubs, and rezone the neighborhood to mostly single family zoning. Additionally, VECA acquired and rehabilitated two dilapidated apartment buildings and a shopping center, and eventually built new affordable housing using city and federal subsidies. The latter subsidized the costs to maintain an office and have staff.

In 2008, economic conditions resulted in VECA no longer being able to afford staff and it was transformed back into a volunteer driven organization. Volunteers became the managers of the VECA owned properties which helped provide funding for the Welcome Center. VECA volunteers continued working on a variety of grassroots issues.

In 2010, VECA officially downsized and simplified its organization by merging the nonprofit and volunteer organizations which continue to retain their IRS 501(c)(3) status. In 2021, VECA was officially approved to become a historic landmarks district.

VECA remains involved in activities that are supported by the neighborhood including code enforcement, safety and security issues, managing the V&E Greenline, working on problems in the commercial districts, managing a website and email system, working to increase resident involvement, working on neighborhood issues, encouraging meetings at the Welcome Center, and supporting a number of popular events in the neighborhood.

VECA also works hard to recruit new volunteers and to respond to the concerns of the residents. Its theme, “I am VECA, You are VECA, We are VECA together” invites all residents to get involved in maintaining VECA as a quality residential neighborhood.

A History of Diversity

“In the 1890s, what is now considered the VECA neighborhood consisted mainly of dairy farms with two small communities, Terrytown and Springdale. The Terrytown community had been established by the Terry family, and Springdale was a stop on the L & N Railroad between Memphis and Nashville. It was here in these two communities that the original commercial area, the first school, and the oldest churches began.”

The above is from Vollintine Evergreen: A Diverse Community (cover above) by Peggy Boyce Jemison, published in 1980 as a part of the MIFA Neighborhood History Series. The work covers the beginnings of the neighborhood; the history and growth of our churches, schools, organizations, and commercial areas; and the steadfast diversity of our community.

It is available here in chapters and may also be found in print at the Memphis Central Library.

Introduction, Table of Contents, and Credits
1: Description of Vollintine-Evergreen
2: Beginnings of the Neighborhood: Part 1 | Part 2
3: Growth of the Neighborhood: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
4: Growth of Churches: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
5: Growth of Neighborhood Organizations
6: Growth of Schools: Part 1 | Part 2
7: Growth of Commercial Areas
8: Effects of Public Policy: Part 1 | Part 2
9: Conclusion, Notes, and Appendix

Other Resources:

Cityscape: A Journal of Policy Development and Research. Volume 4, Number 2 - 1998
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Author: Michael Kirby, Ph.D

This study presents the diversity in our community and its place in the broader history of Memphis by VECA resident and former Rhodes Professor, Dr. Mike Kirby.

From Dairy Farms to Housing Tracts: Environment and Race in the Making of a Memphis Suburb
Journal of Urban History - 2005, Author: Chad Montrie, Ph.D

A fascinating study from the early history of the area in dairy farming up to modern housing, transportation, and civic challenges.

As additional resources become available they will be added to this page. If you know of any additional resources we should have, please Contact Us.