Julius Goodman & Son -- Memphis TN
N 35° 08.681 W 090° 03.070
15S E 768651 N 3893069
A ghost sign for Julius Goodman & Son, a Civil War-era jewelry business in Memphis Tennessee
Waymark Code: WMNK35
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 03/26/2015
Views: 1
This handsome painted sign for the Julius Goodman and son jewelers business stands proudly on the site of a landmark building in downtown Memphis.
The sign reads as follows:
"JULIUS GOODMAN & SON
Memphis Jewelers since 1862
Diamonds Unusuals Silver
113 Madison Ave"
More information on this company can be found on Devin Greaney's local Memphis History blog: (
visit link)
113 Madison
A Good man worked here from 1954 to 1989. Actually several good men named Goodman along with a loyal staff of good men and women.
Joseph Goodman opened his first jewelry store in 1862, the same year Confederate and Union ironclads battled in front of Memphis. He passed the business to his son Julius, who then took his son, Joseph into the business in 1929 – Giving it the name Julius Goodman and Sons.
He moved to 113 Madison September, 20, 1954, where the sign still is visible today. Their niche was finding rare silverware patterns.
Another niche they had was keeping employees happy. A September, 2, 1989 COMMERCIAL APPEAL article said Winfred Wright had been there 58 years, Murray White had worked for 53 years and Evelyn White had 31 years of service. The article announced Joseph and his cousin Arthur would be retiring and closing up shop within the month.
Joseph died November, 1992 and Arthur May, 2002."