# Frayser, Memphis

Frayser is a neighborhood on the north side of Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It is named after Memphis physician Dr. J Frayser, who owned a summer home near the railroad. Frayser's boundaries are the Wolf River to the south, the Mississippi River to the west, the Loosahatchie River to the north, and ICRR tracks to the east. The population of Frayser is approximately 45,000.

## History

The area was settled in the 1820s, when Italian settlers purchased farmland in northwestern Shelby County.
In 1942, International Harvester constructed a manufacturing plant west of Benjestown Road. This plant along with others, such as Firestone, south of Frayser helped spark housing demand in the community.

### Annexation

On January 1, 1958, most of Frayser was annexed by the City of Memphis. In the mid-1960s, the northern and western boundaries of the area were also absorbed by Memphis.
In March 1983, Firestone closed their tire factory in North Memphis and International Harvester closed their plant in 1985.

## Education

Most of the public schools in Frayser are served by Memphis-Shelby County Schools system. Elementary schools include, Hawkins Mill, Delano, Georgian Hills, and Lucie E Campbell Elementary Schools. Middle schools include Grandview Heights, Westside and Georgian Hills Middle Schools. Frayser is also home to two public high schools, Trezevant High School and Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School

### Private education

With the state changes in the education process, the Achievement School District was created and a number of school agencies sprouted in the Frayser Community including charter schools and a Montessori school. In February 2012 the Achievement School District announced that it planned to take over management of Corning Elementary School, Frayser Elementary School, and Westside Middle school in Frayser.
Frayser is also home to the Memphis Business Academy (MBA) middle and high school. MBA opened Memphis STEM Academy in August 2016.

### Higher education

Frayser was home to Southwest Tennessee Community College's Gill Campus. The Gill Campus was located in the northeastern quadrant of the neighborhood and about 350 students were enrolled there at its peak in 2013. The building was sold to Libertas School of Memphis in 2024.

## Parks and recreation

Public parks in Frayser are serviced by the Memphis Parks Commission.

### Public parks

Source:
* Ed Rice Community Center, Frayser Park and Frayser Tennis Center
* North Frayser Community and Pickett Park
* Shivler Park
* Egypt-Central Park and Frayser-Raleigh Senior Center (currently located in Raleigh, but serves some parts of Frayser)
* Firestone Park
* Denver Park
* Grandview Park
* Davy Crockett Park
* Westside Park
* Rodney Baber Park

#### Recreation
## Transportation

Frayser is served by 4 MATA bus routes, numbered 11, 32, 40, and 42. Central and northeast Frayser are also served by Ready! Zone 2. Ready! is a demand-responsive service that replaces the former route 6 bus.
Interstate I-40 runs through the southern reaches of Frayser. US 51/SR 3 bisects the western quadrants of the neighborhood. Frayser entirely encapsulates SR 300, which connects US 51 to I-40 exit 2A. Frayser also serves as the southern terminus of SR 388.