Preservation in Mississippi
Suzassippi
Oxford City Hall, former Federal Building and Post Office
Next up on the “101 Places in Mississippi to see before you die” list is the City Hall of Oxford, former Federal Building and Post Office for 90 years (1885-1975). The City Hall took 5% (43 votes) of the vote for the Oxford-Holly Springs region. Originally constructed in 1885 in a Romanesque Revival style, additions … Continue reading
Suzassippi’s Mississippi: First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley
The First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley was established in 1843. The Romanesque building was erected in 1896. Romanesque Revival was a popular style in the late 1800s in Mississippi, particularly for Presbyterian and Methodist churches (Pace/Cawthon, Lost Churches of Mississippi, 2007). Romanesque Revival churches during the 1880s and 1890s were characterized by: …massive … Continue reading
Youth-led Community Development in Mound Bayou
In an update of the historic preservation work going on in Mound Bayou, we focus this week on youth-led community development. The idea is engaging youth in community development, including historic preservation and economic development. Working with the City of Mound Bayou on this project has been enlightening, challenging, and most of all, fun. Mississippi … Continue reading
Suzassippi’s Mississippi: Hotel Alcazar, Clarksdale
This is the New Hotel Alcazar, built 1914-15, in the Colonial Revival/Classical Revival style, another loser in the 101 Places contest. The original Alcazar was built in 1895 on an adjoining lot. The New Alcazar was intended to expand the space in the predicted economic boom in Clarksdale. The original Alcazar burned in later years. … Continue reading
Update on the Burns “Belfry” Project in Oxford
The plywood covering the windows and walls of the Burns Belfry Church has finally come down! In October, the City of Oxford applied for a state grant (MDAH) to complete the restoration of the project–which has been in the works for over 10 years now. (I am having difficulty getting the link to stay linked, … Continue reading
Suzassippi’s Mississippi: New Roxy Theater
Another nominee for the 101 Mississippi places was the New Roxy theater on Issaquena Street, Clarksdale. Sadly, the New Roxy fared even less well than the Greyhound station, earning a mere 2 votes or .56% of the Delta poll. The theater might not be much to look at these days, but it has a cool … Continue reading
Greyhound Bus Terminal, Clarksdale
The Greyhound Bus Terminal in Clarksdale was nominated from the Delta region for the “101 Places in MIssissippi to see before you die” list. It garnered only 3% of the Delta region vote, thus ensuring its place in the “Not on the 101 places” list, but still worthy of attention. Mississippi Department of Archives and … Continue reading
The Future of Mound Bayou: Saving the Legacy
At the beginning of the week, I outlined the plans for the series about Mound Bayou, which just commemorated the 124th year of its founding. The intent of the posts was to provide a brief history of the origins and beginnings of the town, and its economic and physical decline. There are some remaining historical … Continue reading
Taborian Hospital and the Delta Health Center: The role of health care in social change and community empowerment
The Mississippi unit of the Sir Knights and Daughters of the Tabor was established in 1889 for the purpose of providing insurance–burial, life, and health care (Hodding Carter, Saturday Evening Post, February 23, 1946). Membership in 1946 had increased to 40,000 and the director, P. M. Smith, began the task of raising $100,000 in order … Continue reading
Bank of Mound Bayou: Charles Banks, A Chief Lieutenant
Charles Banks, already a successful businessman in Clarksdale, moved to Mound Bayou with the plan of greater accomplishments in the all-black town. Banks quickly became involved in the community, both politically and economically, and worked with Booker T. Washington and Tuskegee. Although some historians have characterized him as a shrewd manipulator who worked for his own self-interest, … Continue reading
The Jewel of the Delta: Mound Bayou, Mississippi
Our friend Susan James of Suzassippi’s Lottabusha County Chronicles blog will be taking a turn as a guest contributor on MissPres this week sharing her thoughts about the African-American town of Mound Bayou in the Delta. I know you’ll all enjoy learning more about this fascinating place, its history, its challenges, and its hopes for the future. … Continue reading
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