Posted in Mississippi Attractions, Small Towns
Known as “the most southern place on earth,” it should come as no surprise that Mississippi’s Delta region is home to the charming town of Greenwood. The river town is filled with historic sites, cultural treats, amazing architecture, and a perfectly southern heritage you’ll fall in love with.
Take a look:
Located between the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Rivers, Greenwood has a population just under 18,000.
The city was incorporated in 1844 and was named after Chief Greenwood LeFlore.
The city’s location played a huge role in its success.
When Greenwood was established there was an extremely high demand for cotton, and since it was located right on the water, it began flourishing almost immediately. The city, which became a major shipping point, sent cotton to markets in New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, and St. Louis.
Greenwood is full of landmarks that you can only find in southern towns.
One great way to see Greenwood’s charming landmarks is the Main Street Walking Tour, which will lead you to the 1906 Neoclassic Courthouse (pictured), Cotton Row, the 1912 Carnegie Library, and several blocks of retail shops that date back to the 1890s – 1930s.
Just like you’d expect from a perfectly southern town, Greenwood is filled with mouthwatering eateries.
Opened since 1926, The Crystal Grill is a Greenwood landmark known for its fare of authentic southern cooking and pies piled “mile high” with meringue.
The Delta Bistro is another Greenwood favorite. The restaurant’s James Beard-nominated chef serves up Cajun and Creole specialties, which include items such as black-eyed pea cakes and Bourbon and Coke fried chicken sliders.
In true southern fashion, there’s also plenty of mouthwatering barbecue in Greenwood. Some of the best in town is prepared by Leroy “Spooney” Kenter Jr. Since closing his storefront, Kenter travels around Greenwood’s Baptist Town, serving up his renowned ribs.
Within Greenwood, you’ll find plenty of places to learn about the history of the quintessential southern city, as well as the entire Delta region.
To really take in all Greenwood has to offer, you’ll definitely want to visit the Back in the Day Museum, which focuses on African-American culture within the region. There’s also the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, which covers a broader area of the region’s history.
For a truly southern experience, you’ll definitely want to visit one of Greenwood’s most unique landmarks, the Tallahatchie Flats.
The Tallahatchie Flats consist of six perfectly preserved examples of the small rural homes that once filled the Delta. These types of homes are significant because they are exactly the kind in which a number of blues musicians resided and spent time cultivating their craft. Visit the flats today, and you can enjoy an interpretive tour, experience all the aspects of a working plantation, and stay overnight in an authentic home from the past.
In 2010, Greenwood’s undeniable southern charm garnered some unexpected attention
Most of the major motion picture, “The Help,” was filmed in Greenwood. The city was chosen because it had a “frozen-in-time look” and was filled with “stately southern architecture and modern 1960s homes.” Greenwood offers a tour that includes sites used in filming “The Help.”
Ready to experience this perfectly southern town for yourself?
Click here for more information on Greenwood, including tour guides and must visit landmarks.