SNOWDEN HOUSE
SNOWDEN HOUSE is an early 20th century house located at 6205 Snowden Lane in Southaven . It was built by John Bayard Snowden (Jan 1881 - Oct 1968) around 1914. John Bayard Snowden was part of the prominent Memphis-based Snowden Family. The house was built on 1000+ acres of land purchased by Snowden in Desoto County and turned into a farm known as Bobwhite Farms. It was also used as a summer home for the Snowden Family.
The house and 140+ acres of the original land purchase were donated to the City of Southaven by John Bayard Snowden’s children, Robert Galloway (Bob) Snowden (Aug 1917 - Dec 2006) and sister May Snowden Todd (Apr 1925 - Sept 2006) to form what is now Snowden Grove Park. My guess is that May Blvd. in Silo Square was named for Mrs. May Snowden Todd.
Bob and his sister May died within a few months of each other in 2006.
John had another son, John Bayard Snowden Jr., (Feb 1914 - Feb 1945) who sadly died in 1945, at the age of 30, during World War II. He held the rank of Sargent and was buried in Germany along with many of his fellow American Hero’s. No doubt a great loss for the Snowden Family. Never Forget.
Snowden Grove Park consists of The BankPlus Amphitheater, an outdoor arena, and the Snowden Grove Baseball Complex.
The City of Southaven had the house restored preserving much of its original architecture. It’s now used by the City as a small special events center for residents of Southaven and can accommodate up to 75 people.
I thought it important to remember the Snowden Family. Very little information is available online. The family's land donation for the park reflects a legacy of philanthropy by the Snowden Family. The area around the house, The Snowden District, is a key part of Southaven’s growth and development. Commercial, Entertainment, and Community uses all converge here.
Dates of the Land Gift to Southaven
Tract I, the section West of Snowden Lane where the house and Amphitheater are located, was Quit Claimed September 16th 1998.
Lot 2 of Bobwhite Farms Subdivision, North of May Blvd and West of Snowden Lane was also Quit Claimed September 16th 1998.
Tracts II and III, the section East of Snowden Lane was Quit Claimed October 22nd of 2001.
Obituaries of Some of the Family Members
Please Note:
I made every effort to be factual here but I do not guarantee accuracy.
