Travel Oracles 50 States: Mississippi
As part of my summer series - Travel Oracles 50 States - I am revisiting each os the fifty American states as an overview on travel culture and history. Today: Mississippi
Joined: Mississippi joined the Union as the 20th state in 1817. Mississippi , as a slave state. was the second southern state to declare its secession from the United States, doing so on January 9, 1861. It joined with six other southern states to form the Confederacy on February 4, 1861
Original Indigenous Peoples: The original Mississippians were most likely the Choctaw, who date back to the early 1500s.
First Settlers: In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, European explorers ventured into the area we now know as Mississippi. It was this week in 1581, in the far northwestern corner of our state, that Spanish soldiers under Hernando de Soto became the first Europeans to see the Mississippi River.
History moment: The Blues musical form originated in the Mississippi Delta after the Civil War. Rooted in the songs sung by slaves working in the fields and African spirituals, the Blues offered an escape from oppression and a means of expression for many African Americans.
Known for: Birthplace of American blues music and home to many talented musicians, BBQ and its catfish farming industry
Places: Jackson, Biloxi
Movie setting: Mississippi Burning, In the heat of the night, A Time to Kill, The Help, O Brother where art though, Mudbound
Musicians from: Robert Johnson , Muddy Waters, BB King, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Tammy Wynette, Faith Hill
Surprising facts: Mississippi is home to the world's only cactus plantation. The state has around 825 cotton fields that produce around 1.4 million bales each year
Today’s Mississippi is a multifaceted landscape of rich history, legendary musical heritage, mouthwatering culinary delights, and adventurous outdoor recreation. From the natural splendor of the Hills region to the mighty Mississippi River to the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast, Mississippi celebrates diversity and creativity through her people, geography, sights, and sounds. Journey along miles of hiking and biking trails inside the vast acreage of state parks and national forests. Relish authentic sounds of blues, country, or rock ‘n’ roll in the birthplace of it all along the Mississippi Blues and Country Music Trails. Experience the state’s history by touring antebellum homes during spring and fall pilgrimages. Let’s travel to Mississippi
My Experience: I have never been, but I plan to do a ‘bbq and bourbon’ road trip soon in the south, so stay tuned
Jackson: Residents of Jackson pride themselves on being the "City with Soul," because they infuse their lives with a passion for what they enjoy. Your front-desk clerk today may be crooning tunes tonight at the old train station, now known as Hal and Mal’s. Or your waiter today may be somebody else’s fishing guide tomorrow. This layering of passion and profession contributes to Jackson’s rich tapestry of artistic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 55 and 20, Jackson is Mississippi’s capital, as well as her largest city. Things to do
Biloxi: Biloxi is a good place to get your feet wet with Mississippi Gulf Coast culture: a historic downtown district, world-class golf, saltwater fishing, a Frank Gehry–designed art museum, and creative Gulf Coast seafood. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at Biloxi’s collection of 24-hour gaming casino resorts.
Nature: The nine National Parks in Mississippi include National Battlefields and National Heritage Areas
Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Mississippi is currently ranked #49 out of 50 in 2021, it was #48 in 2019.