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 Department of Archives and History marker for Mississippi John Hurt, Highway 7, Avalon, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History marker for Mississippi John Hurt, Highway 7, Avalon, 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

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Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at J.W. Cutrer House, 109 Clark Street, Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at J.W. Cutrer House, 109 Clark Street, Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Mississippi

J.W. Cutrer House

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.

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Dockery Plantation (now Dockery Farms), Sunflower County, Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Dockery Plantation (now Dockery Farms), Highway 8, Sunflower County, Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Dockery Plantation (now Dockery Farms), Highway 8, Sunflower County, Mississippi

Dockery Plantation

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.

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 Greenville, Mississippi 

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker on the levee at Greenville, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker on the levee at Greenville, Mississippi.

Mississippi River Levee

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.

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for River Stages At Greenville, on the levee at Greenville, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for River Stages At Greenville, on the levee at Greenville, Mississippi.

River Stages At Greenville

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.

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Hattiesburg, Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at the Eureka School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at the Eureka School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Eureka School

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……

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Leland, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Deer Creek, near Leland, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Deer Creek, near Leland, Mississippi

Deer Creek

Deer Creek is a tributary of the Yazoo River which passes through some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world.

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Meridian, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi.

Temple Theater

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.

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Moorhead, Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker "Where The Southern Crosses The Dog", Moorhead, Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker “Where The Southern Crosses The Dog“, 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

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Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Rhythm Night Club Fire, Natchez, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Rhythm Night Club Fire, Natchez, 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……

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The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside Holy Family Catholic Church, Natchez, Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside Holy Family Catholic Church, Natchez, Mississippi

Holy Family Catholic Church

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.

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Neshoba County, Mississippi

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Freedom Summer Murders, Neshoba County, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Freedom Summer Murders, Neshoba County, Mississippi

Freedom Summer Murders

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.

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Old Neshoba County Jail, Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Old Neshoba County Jail, Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi.

Old Neshoba County Jail, Philadelphia, Neshoba County.

The Old Neshoba County Jail has a significant place in the events of Freedom Summer, 1964

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Oxford, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for William Faulkner is located 20 paces from William Faulkner's grave in Oxford, Mississippi.
This Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for William Faulkner is located 20 paces from William Faulkner’s grave in Oxford, Mississippi.

William Faulkner’s Grave

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.

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at the entrance to Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's home from 1930 until his death in 1962.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker at the entrance to Rowan Oak, William Faulkner’s home from 1930 until his death in 1962.

Rowan Oak

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.

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Oxford, Mississippi. William Faulkner was a parishioner of this church.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Oxford, Mississippi. William Faulkner was a parishioner of this church.

St Peter’s Episcopal Church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is in downtown Oxford, Mississippi.

William Faulkner was a parishioner of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

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Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker commemorating the Battle of Port Gibson, downtown Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker commemorating the Battle of Port Gibson, downtown Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi.

Battle of Port Gibson

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

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for the Bernheimer Complex, outside Bernheimer House, Port Gibson, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for the Bernheimer Complex, outside Bernheimer House, Port Gibson, Mississippi

Bernheimer Complex

The Bernheimer Complex is a collection of late 18th and early 20th century buildings on Walnut Street in downtown Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi.

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Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Claiborne County, outside the Claiborne County Courthouse, Port Gibson, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Claiborne County, outside the Claiborne County Courthouse, Port Gibson, Mississippi

Claiborne County

The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker commemorating Claiborne County is outside the Claiborne County Courthouse on Market Street in downtown Port Gibson, Mississippi.

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Ruleville, Sunflower County, Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for the Ruleville Rail Depot building, now the Ruleville Chamber of Commerce, Ruleville, Sunflower County, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for the Ruleville Rail Depot building, now the Ruleville Chamber of Commerce, Ruleville, Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Ruleville Rail Depot

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.

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Sumner, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker, Emmett Till Murder Trail, outside Tallahatchie County Court House, Sumner, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker, Emmett Till Murder Trial, outside Tallahatchie County Court House, Sumner, 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….

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Tupelo, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Birthplace of Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, Tupelo, Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker for Birthplace of Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, Tupelo, Mississippi

Birthplace of Elvis Presley

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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