Mick Hartley

Marion Post Wolcott, May 1940. Memphis, Tennessee. "Main Street at night during Cotton Carnival."

[Photo: Shorpy/Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration]

Added Shorpy comment:

Today it's Carnival Memphis. "Cotton" was dropped in 1987 because "our economy has become more diversified. We accomplish our mission through the four C's: Charity, Community, Commerce and Celebration."

"The Cotton Kingdom" was the slogan used by the antebellum South to justify slavery and secession. In 1895, John Philip Sousa wrote his "King Cotton" march, which intentionally or not contributed to "Lost Cause" sentimentalization of the Old South. It is still played.