Memphis -- Annesdale

This garden was designed by an unknown Italian landscape designer with an additional re-design executed during the 1920s and 1940s. The Italian-style antebellum home, once a country estate, is set on a hill in the heart of the city of Memphis. It was screened from urban traffic by a dense grove of magnolias, tulip poplars and oaks. The property was named 'Annesdale' by Colonel Robert Bogardus Snowden after his wife, Annie Overton Brinkley of Nashville in the mid to late 1800s. The original farm included vegetable and flower gardens tended by Itailian gardeners. Plantings included roses and peonies.

In the 1970s, Annesdale was comprised of eight acres. A two-story ornamental iron balcony overlooked formal flower beds outlined by curving pathways. On the west side of the porte-cochère are two wrought iron gates opening on the boxwood allee leading to the circular pool and fountain.

In 2005, the garden still included elements of the original Italiante design. Portions of the garden were surrounded with brick walls and garden features included two ornamental pools and nineteenth century statuary.

The tower on the front of the house was used as a lookout during the Civil War. Like many other Southern mansions, Annesdale was used as a hospital during the Civil War.

Persons associated with the property include: Col. and Mrs. Robert Bogardus Snowden (former owner, mid to late 1800s), Mr. and Mrs. J. Bayard Snowden (former owner, dates unknown), Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Todd, Jr. (former owner, 1950s?-2010).