Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Mississippi is one of the southern states that most people dont realize is rich in history and cultural activities. There are five main regions of Mississippi, each with their own local attractions. First, there is the Hills Region. This area has been an inspiration to many authors including Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, and even todays popular writer, John Grisham. It is known for its rolling hills and beautiful lakes. The historic small towns in this region are each unique in both character and substance. If youre an architecture buff, then Holly Springs is the place to visit. They have many fine examples of antebellum architecture that are open to the public. Corinth is an old Civil War town and boasts many Civil War sites as well as the Civil War Interpretive Center. In the south of the Hills Region is the town of Tupelo, where you can find the small two-room house that Elvis Presley was born in. Near Nesbit, the famed rocker Jerry Lee Lewis resides on a fabulous ranch that includes a piano-shaped swimming pool.
The Delta Region is well known for its fertile farmland. Blues Alley also runs right through this area of Mississippi. This section of land is responsible for the birth of blues music. The Blues produced such renowned artists as B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Each year, several world famous blues festivals, such as the Delta Blues and the Heritage Festival, are held here to commemorate this art form. This area is also known for its championship golf courses that exist where cotton fields once were planted. The Capital-River Region is probably the most visited region of Mississippi. The states most cherished scenic routes, the Natchez Trace Parkway, winds through the heart of the Capital-River Region. This trail commemorates an ancient trail that Choctaw, Chickasaw, and other American Indians used to connect southern portions of the Mississippi River to salt licks in todays central Tennessee. Boatmen that floated the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to markets in Natchez and New Orleans used the trail the most heavily from 1785 to 1820. They sold their cargo and boats and began the trek back north on foot to Nashville and points beyond. Jackson, the capital city and state cultural center, resides along the Natchez Trace Parkway as does Natchez, the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River. The region also houses several cultural attractions including Indian ceremonial burial mounds and Civil War monuments, parks, and battlefields. The childhood home of Jefferson Davis can also be found in Rosemont, which is near Woodville.
The Coastal Region stretches along the far south border of Mississippi. This border is adjacent to the Gulf Coast, which is the Gulf of Mexico. This is where the majority of the casinos and resorts reside in cities such as Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. This region also boasts a pre-Civil War fort built on Ship Island, which can only be reached by boat or ferry. In the northern area of this region is the Highway 49 corridor, which winds through small communities and pine forests. In the middle of the northern section is Hattiesburg, one of the states largest cities and educational centers. This city boasts beautiful rose gardens, the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Hub Fest. This festival attracts over 70,000 people each year to the over 400 arts and crafts booths that are displayed.
The Pines Region is located along the eastern border of Mississippi. This region is also well known for its award-winning championship golf courses. Visit the Railroad Museum in Amory as well as the annual railroad festival. Columbus and Aberdeen both showcase pre-Civil War homes. Kosciusko is part of the Natchez Trace Parkway and holds a festival each year that commemorates this historic 8000 year-old trail. The reservation for the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians lies near Philadelphia, as does the Pearl River Resort, which boasts two casinos and two championship golf courses. Also, the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music, resides in Meridian, which boasts a museum and festival in his honor. Meridian also has a historic Grand Opera house as well as the Peavey Visitors Center. Peavey Electronics is responsible for being the worlds largest maker of guitars, amplifiers, and keyboards.
Mississippi is a land rich with culture, history, and farmland. This state features many historic Civil War sites and battlegrounds. It is also known as the birthplace of blues music. It is definitely well worth your time to visit this state!
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