Mississippi

Elvis Presley may be long gone from Tupelo. The shoreline of Biloxi may alter with every hurricane. But the icons and landmarks of Mississippi history remain preserved in our Magnolia State catalogue. Learn the lessons of an Oktibbeha County schoolhouse. Catch the Hattiesburg boxing match that crowned John Sullivan champion and watch the Yazoo Pass Expedition slog grimly through the marsh. Whether it’s the mournful twang of a blues guitar or the savory sizzle that announces the arrival of Delta Tamales, these Mississippi history books capture the vital sensations of the state’s past.

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African Americans of Jackson

$24.99

George County

$23.99

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

$24.99

The Life and Legacy of B.B. King

The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores, Dead Heads and Side-Wheelers

$24.99

Hattiesburg

$24.99

Mississippi Folk and the Tales They Tell

$23.99

The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty

$16.99

The Juke Joint King of the Mississippi Hills: The Raucous Reign of Tillman Branch

$21.99

Lauderdale County, Mississippi:

$21.99

Church Street

$21.99

Pass Christian and the Gazebo Gazette

$21.99

The Haunted Natchez Trace

$19.99

The Seafood Capital of the World

$21.99

Ghosts of Mississippi’s Golden Triangle

$21.99

William Carey College:

$24.99

Columbus Chronicles: Tales From East Mississippi

$21.99

Clinton

$24.99

Oxford in the Civil War

$21.99

Belhaven College

$24.99

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George County

9781467129060

$23.99

George County, named for Sen. James Z. George, became one of Mississippi's youngest counties in 1910. Located east of the DeSoto National Forest, west of Mobile, and north of Pascagoula, the county is embedded in the pine belt, a region that stretches from the Carolinas along the Gulf Coast to Texas. The founders unapologetically boasted that George County was formed by combining the best land from neighboring Greene and Jackson Counties. As the only city in the county, Lucedale was the obvious choice to become the county seat. Lucedale was named for Gregory M. Luce, the Michigan native who saw opportunity in George County's natural resources. Business generated by Luce and other like-minded entrepreneurs set in motion the ongoing development and evolution of local agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and commerce.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

9781626192003

$24.99

This narrative history of Hattiesburg, MS illustrates the people, places, and events that have shaped its cultural and natural history.

Founded by William Hardy at the confluence of rivers and rail lines, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is today a capital of education, healthcare, commerce and the armed forces in the Gulf South. In this new biography of the Hub City, experience its story as you never have before. Hunt and forage alongside Native American tribes centuries before European settlement. Build a cabin with pioneer lumbermen on the edge of the forest, jostling for profit in the cavernous Piney Woods. Train with soldiers at Camp Shelby on the eve of deployment in World War II, and march alongside civil rights activists during Freedom Summer in 1964. In this narrative history, author and Hattiesburg native Benjamin Morris offers a captivating account of the Hub City from its prehistory to the present day, from its darkest hours to its brightest futures.

The Life and Legacy of B.B. King

9781467142403

$23.99

Blues legend B.B. King spent his life sharing the music of his soul, which shone relentlessly through hardship and triumph alike.

Born on a cotton plantation in 1925, the man born Riley B. King would grow up to be one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, being crowned "The King of the Blues." He never wavered from his vocation, even as he gathered up other musicians in his wake and melded them into the harmony of his animating passion. In this intimate portrait of King, author Diane Williams offers a brief account of the monumental blues man's life before settling in for a series of interviews with his bandmates and beloved family members, offering readers an invaluable opportunity to feel like they know King too.

Corinth

9780738591247

$24.99

Cross City was founded in 1854 by surveyors Houston Mitchell and Hamilton Mask where the Mobile & Ohio Railroad intersected with the Memphis & Charleston line, the only such site of its kind in the west at that time. Following the widespread Victorian fad of naming towns after classical locations, in 1855, Cross City was renamed "Corinth" after the famous crossroads of ancient Greece. Located only 10 miles from the Tennessee-Mississippi state line, Corinth has a long and colorful history of strategic importance to the entire country.

Mississippi Baby

9781455626304

$24.95

Keep track of your baby's essential Mississippi firsts in this unique baby book! Place baby's family in the branches of a magnolia tree, place birthday photos and record milestones on colorful pages with hand lettered text. Capture baby's first experiences with food including favorite fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and Mississippi Mud Pie! Colorful pages provide guided journaling of baby's first beach trip, visit to the zoo, and more. Illustrated end sheets give space to record blessings from the baby shower and well wishes from loved ones in this book that will become an heirloom for generations.

Studio Jackson:

9781626197183

$24.99

In the capital city of Jackson, visual artists and craftsmen have historically found a place where their work is cherished as part of the local economy. The works span nearly all mediums from sculpting to painting. Beginning in the 1920s with the formation of Wolfe Studios and spanning decades of change and development, Jackson studios have emerged and reigned as the preeminent strongholds of economic development and creative culture in the capital city. Author Nell Linton Knox and photographer Ellen Rodgers Johnson capture the compelling narratives behind some of the well-known craftsmen whose studios are mainstays in Jackson's oldest neighborhoods.

The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores, Dead Heads and Side-Wheelers

9781596292857

$24.99

The Tombigbee River flows through the history of Alabama and Mississippi, connecting the Black Prairie cotton belt of northeast Mississippi and west Alabama to Mobile and the Gulf of Mexico. In the early 1800s, it became the regional artery of commerce and trade, with steamboats carrying cotton to the port of Mobile and then returning upriver with farm supplies and consumer goods. Today, the "rollodores," who rolled cotton bales down slides to the decks of boats; the sunken logs, or "dead heads," that could sink a boat if struck; and the "side-wheeler" model steamboats have all but vanished. The Tombigbee River Steamboats brings this forgotten era back to life through accounts of the steamboats, their crews and their trials, such as the haunting story of the steamer Eliza Battle, which burned and sank on a freezing, flooded river.

Hattiesburg

9780738599854

$24.99

Hattiesburg was dubbed ""The Hub City"" because of its geographic relationship to six great Southern cities.

On a map, it appears to be the center of a great wheel, with railroad lines fanning out like spokes to New Orleans, Natchez, Jackson, Meridian, Gulfport, and Mobile. This intersection has been a pivotal part of the founding, early history, and continuing role that Hattiesburg plays in the economic and cultural development of the Southeastern United States. Images of America: Hattiesburg covers the city's founding by William H. Hardy, the impact of the lumber industry and the railroads, the educational institutions that benefited from the largess of local timber tycoons, the illicit fight that made John L. Sullivan the last bare-knuckle heavyweight boxing champion of the world, and scenes of city and rural life in the 1920s.

Mississippi Folk and the Tales They Tell

9781609499327

$23.99

From the hills to the coast, the people of Mississippi have stories to tell. Most would never guess that Raleigh, Mississippi, once played host to the National Tobacco Spitting Contest. Over in Okolona, children are told of the man who lived--and died--deep down in a hole and scared passersby. From the gandy dancers who built the first train tracks in Mississippi to the eight-foot-tall man who lived in the woods of Columbia, read tales that range from common myth to a good bit of righteous gossip. Author and storyteller Diane Williams traveled across the Magnolia State to gather these local legends and has compiled them into an inquisitive, laugh-out-loud collection.

The Juke Joint King of the Mississippi Hills: The Raucous Reign of Tillman Branch

9781626194366

$21.99

In the swamps and juke joints of Holmes County, Mississippi, Edward Tillman Branch built his empire. Tillman's clubs were legendary. Moonshine flowed as patrons enjoyed craps games and well-known blues acts. Across from his Goodman establishment, prostitutes in a trysting trailer entertained men, including the married Tillman himself. A threat to law enforcement and anyone who crossed his path, Branch rose from modest beginnings to become the ruler of a treacherous kingdom in the hills that became his own end. Author Janice Branch Tracy reveals the man behind the story and the path that led him to become what Honeyboy Edwards referred to in his autobiography as the "baddest white man in Mississippi."

Lauderdale County, Mississippi:

9781609490218

$21.99

Originally home to the native Choctaw tribe, Lauderdale County was settled and established in 1833 at a prime spot on the eastern border of the Magnolia state. The county flourished as a vital and vibrant hub of railroad commerce until the Civil War brought destruction and devastation. But its resilient citizens rose from the ashes and soon an area once ravaged by war became a home for industry and innovators. Join author and Meridian local Richelle Putnam as she provides the first-ever history of Lauderdale County, from founding to present, recounting the people and events that helped shaped the community into the beloved home it is today.

Church Street

9781626191112

$21.99

The 1930s and 1940s saw unprecedented prosperity for the African Americans of Jackson's Church Street. From the first black millionaire in the United States to defenders of civil rights, nearly all of Jackson's black professionals lived on Church Street. It was one of the most popular places to see and be seen, whether that meant spotting Louis Armstrong strolling out of the Crystal Palace Club or Martin Luther King Jr. organizing an NAACP meeting at his field office on nearby Farish Street. Join authors and veterans of Church Street Grace Sweet and Benjamin Bradley as they explore the astounding history and legacy of Church Street.

Pass Christian and the Gazebo Gazette

9781626190931

$21.99

When Hurricane Katrina leveled Pass Christian, a dedicated newspaper helped save the town. After the storm, many evacuees returned to a city they hardly recognized. Local and federal government officials scrambled to restore the infrastructure, including essential water and sewer services. Four months later, the town was still in dire need of basic communication when award-winning journalist Evelina Shmukler, alongside other volunteers, created the weekly Gazebo Gazette. Without funding, offices or a business plan to speak of, they delivered vital relief and safety information when residents had more questions than officials had answers. A godsend for the Pass, the Gazette continues today and was called a "New Town Crier" by Reader's Digest. Author and media expert Dr. Lawrence N. Strout chronicles the paper's journey and the town it served with fortitude and dedication in the face of tragedy and heartache.

The Haunted Natchez Trace

9781609495312

$19.99

Stretching from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, the Natchez Trace is one of the oldest, most historically significant routes in American history.

Beginning as hunting ground for natives, the Trace became the favored path back home for early settlers who floated down the Mississippi River to sell goods in Natchez. Yet the Trace was riddled with bandits, marauders and other perils, and today troubled and tortured voices from the past still echo along the road. Travel to Grinders Stand where famed explorer Meriwether Lewis met his untimely demise, and onto Kings Tavern, built in the late 1700s, and haunted by the ghost of the innkeeper's mistress. Author and ghost expert Bud Steed recounts these tales, and more, all lurking in the shadows of the Haunted Natchez Trace.

The Seafood Capital of the World

9781609492847

$21.99

Predating even colonial America, Biloxi was established for its welcoming gulf shore both a home for traders and a beacon for explorers of the mainland. Geography made Biloxi a historic maritime hub of trade and travel; the seafood industry made it a vibrant, thriving community. Thanks to the efforts of a variety of diverse ethnic groups, Biloxi was dubbed the Seafood Capital of the World at the turn of the century. By the 1920s, there were more than forty seafood factories occupying two bustling cannery districts. Cajuns with deep ties to the region, industrious Croatian immigrants and hardworking Vietnamese migr 's all contributed to Biloxi's seafood industry. Through the Civil War, devastating hurricanes and shifting economies, these hard-fishing families have endured, building Biloxi and forming its character.

Ghosts of Mississippi’s Golden Triangle

9781467136068

$21.99

The Golden Triangle is an institutional hub, but restless spirits of Native Americans, Civil War soldiers and slaves also wander this region. Tales of a mysterious watchman who patrols the railroad tracks between Artesia and Mayhew haunt curious locals. Ed Kuykendall Sr. is rumored to manage Columbus's Princess Theater from beyond the grave. A young girl who died while attempting to free her head from a stair banister is said to still wander the halls of Waverly. Author Alan Brown uncovers the eerie thrills and chills within Mississippi's Golden Triangle.

William Carey College:

9780738542621

$24.99

William Carey College is ideally located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to serve all of South Mississippi, from Jackson to the Gulf Coast and from the coastal borders of Alabama to Louisiana. Originally named South Mississippi College, the school was established in 1906 as Hattiesburg's first institution of higher learning. After an immense fire destroyed the college in February 1910, local businessman W. S. F. Tatum acquired the property and offered the site to Mississippi Baptists for the establishment of a college for women. Mississippi Woman's College opened its doors in 1911 and continued operation until the trustees voted in favor of coeducational status for the college in 1954. Pres. Irving E. Rouse chose the name William Carey College in honor of an Englishman who became known as the "father of modern missions." Today William Carey College has an enrollment of over 3,000 with branch campuses in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Although many of the archives of the college have been destroyed, it is hoped this book will present the interesting story of William Carey College and its predecessors, faculty, alumni, and students.

Columbus Chronicles: Tales From East Mississippi

9781609498597

$21.99

After its founding in 1821, Columbus endured the hardships of early settlement and the tumult of the Civil War to enjoy years of prosperity while also weathering some hard times. Through it all, the city developed into the beloved homeplace residents are proud of today. Rufus Ward has been a diligent steward of the region's history, and his popular "Ask Rufus" column stands as proof. This new collection presents some of his best historical tales. Taken together, these stories cover the breadth of the city's history and capture the essence of the region's heritage. What Native American tribes once called east Mississippi home? What are the oldest surviving houses in Columbus? What Columbus family provided Eudora Welty with her favorite mint julep recipe? "Ask Rufus."

Clinton

9780738553719

$24.99

In 1940, the town of Clinton had scarcely grown in size or population since the Civil War. However, the coming of World War II forever changed the identity of this small Southern college town. Aside from the sudden departure of its best and brightest men and women for the front lines, global war touched Clinton in the form of a German POW camp and a Navy V12 training school at Mississippi College. Clinton: 1940-1980 picks up where author Chad Chisholm ended his previous book, with Clinton in the midst of postwar growth. It is a chronicle of Clinton's living history, a treasury of photographs for all Clintonians.

Oxford in the Civil War

9781596293182

$21.99

Though no legendary battles took place at Oxford, the community was deeply affected by the War Between the States and deeply involved in its proceedings. Oxford in the Civil War tells the story of the steadfast men and women who fought to defend their homeland. Join author Stephen Enzweiler as he recounts the lives of Oxfordians caught in the grips of civil war. Looming historical figures include L.Q.C. Lamar, a politician and so-called "fire eater" who organized the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment in Oxford; the "University Greys," a unit organized by Ole Miss students; and Jacob Thompson, former secretary of the interior under President James Buchanan who resigned and returned to Oxford to serve the Confederate cause. Although Union general Andrew "Whiskey" Smith burned much of the town to the ground, Oxford survived. And the resilient people--both slaveholders and slaves--finally have their stories told here.

Belhaven College

9780738506128

$24.99

Plagued from its beginnings by fires, financial hardships, and the dismal days of war, Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, has persevered into the twentyfirst century to become a leading liberal arts institution with one of the South's most diverse small college populations. In this delightful journey into the school's storied past, vintage photographs illuminate the beloved campus, early classes, annual events, and prolific leaders that friends and alumni of Belhaven will recall with fond memories. Founded in 1894 by Dr. Louis T. Fitzhugh, Belhaven College for Young Ladies occupied a large residence and spacious grounds formerly belonging to Colonel Jones Hamilton and named after his ancestral home in Scotland. Just seven months after it opened, the college burned to the ground on February 7, 1895. New buildings were constructed, and the college reopened in the fall of 1896. Fires would also wreak havoc on the school in 1910 and 1927; the school would go on to affiliate with the Presbyterian Church in the early part of the century; and the post-Depression years would find Belhaven facing an uphill struggle to continue operating with minimal funds. Shaken but not defeated, Belhaven continued to grow and with each passing decade gained more national recognition, whether through its renowned music program, its high standards of academic excellence, or the introduction of intercollegiate sports following the school's first admittance of male students in 1954. Although the years have brought numerous changes and Belhaven now rests on the cusp of the computer age, the school's commitment to traditional Christian values still permeates every aspect of a student's education.