Mississippi Department of Archives & History
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has erected a series of markers throughout Mississippi commemorating important events, places and people in Mississippi history.
Although we were looking for sites associated with the blues, we frequently came across these Mississippi Department of Archives and History markers and we found them very interesting.
Here are some of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History markers we have encountered in our travels. We will be adding more as we develop this website.
Avalon, Carroll County, Mississippi
Mississippi John Hurt, Highway 7, Avalon, Carroll County, Mississippi
You should also see Mississippi John Hurt’s grave and the Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorating Mississippi John Hurt
Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Mississippi
The J.W. Cutrer House in Clarksdale, Mississippi and the Cutrer family that lived there are believed to have inspired several Tennessee Williams characters and locations.
Dockery Plantation (now Dockery Farms), Sunflower County, Mississippi
Dockery Plantation (now Dockery Farms) on Highway 8 in Sunflower County is considered “one of the primal sites” in blues history because musicians like Charley Patton and Howlin’ Wolf once worked there.
There is also a Mississippi Blues Trail marker at Dockery Farms.
Greenville, Mississippi
This Mississippi River Levee marker describes the effects of the 1927 Mississippi River floods and the levee system’s role in controlling flooding along the Mississippi River.
The 1927 floods were the subject of Memphis Minnie‘s song, When The Levee Breaks, which was later covered by Led Zeppelin.
This marker for River Stages At Greenville describes the effects of the 1927 Mississippi River floods and the levee system’s role in controlling flooding along the Mississippi River.
The 1927 floods were the subject of Memphis Minnie‘s song, When The Levee Breaks, which was later covered by Led Zeppelin.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The Eureka School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi was built in 1921 and “was one of the first modern brick schools in Miss. for blacks…”
The Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Roots Of Rock And Roll is just around the corner……
Leland, Mississippi
Deer Creek is a tributary of the Yazoo River which passes through some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world.
Meridian, Mississippi
The Temple Theater was built in 1923-1927 by the Hamasa Shriners and was considered one the finest movie and vaudeville theaters of its day.
It has been placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Moorhead, Mississippi
Where The Southern Crosses The Dog, Moorhead, Mississippi.
This is the site mentioned in the lyric of W.C. Handy’s classic 1914 composition Yellow Dog Blues, which was recorded by Bessie Smith in 1925
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi
Rhythm Night Club Fire, Natchez….
At least two major blues artists have recorded songs about the Rhythm Club Fire in 1940: The Natchez Burnin’ by Howlin’ Wolf and Natchez Fire (Burning) and Fire At Natchez by John Lee Hooker……
The Holy Family Catholic Church is located less than two blocks from the Rhythm Night Club Fire site in a neighborhood that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Neshoba County, Mississippi
This marker is outside the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, a location which features in the 1964 murders of civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman.
Old Neshoba County Jail, Philadelphia, Neshoba County.
The Old Neshoba County Jail has a significant place in the events of Freedom Summer, 1964
Oxford, Mississippi
This Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker commemorating William Faulkner is located about 20 paces from William Faulkner’s grave in a cemetery near downtown Oxford, Mississippi.
Rowan Oak was novelist William Faulkner’s home from 1930 until his death in 1962.
It is open for public tours and is maintained as a literary landmark by the University of Mississippi.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is in downtown Oxford, Mississippi.
William Faulkner was a parishioner of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi
The U.S. Civil War Battle of Port Gibson was fought in May 1863.
There is also a Mississippi Blues Trail marker nearby for the Rabbit Foot Minstrels
The Bernheimer Complex is a collection of late 18th and early 20th century buildings on Walnut Street in downtown Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker commemorating Claiborne County is outside the Claiborne County Courthouse on Market Street in downtown Port Gibson, Mississippi.
Ruleville, Sunflower County, Mississippi
The Ruleville Rail Depot in Ruleville was once the station for the Yazoo Delta Railroad, later the Illinois Central Railroad.
It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sumner, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi
Emmett Till Murder Trial, Sumner, Mississippi.
The Emmett Till murder and the subsequent trial in 1955 were events which sparked the Civil Rights movement.
The Emmett Till Murder Trial was held at the Tallahatchie County Court House in Sumner, Mississippi….
Tupelo, Mississippi
Located at the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, Tupelo, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Blues Trail and the Mississippi Country Music Trail have also placed markers commemorating Elvis Presley at this site.
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