"The Magnolia State"

Welcome to Mississippi

Mississippi/Louisiana border on I-55
October 12, 2006

This was my first time visiting Mississippi, and as one of the states that represent the deep South, I wasn't sure what to expect. It seems the South gets a bad rap from the media and popular culture, although events in its past probably play a part (and Mississippi still has the Confederate emblem in its state flag). But I was surprised at how friendly everyone was, especially to someone who was an obvious Yankee. Random people on the street always offered a friendly greeting, and I can't remember how times I was called "sir" or "mister." The entire state seemed to have that small-town feel, where everyone knew everyone else. As for the famous Mississippi River, I didn't actually see it here, but when I was in Louisiana. Regardless, it seemed fairly ordinary aside from the numerous ports along both banks.

This might be the first time a welcome sign took me by surprise. Before heading out on this trip, I checked out a site that features pictures of welcome signs by a fellow enthusiast, and his site showed an elaborate trellis with a roof, with the sign attached to its pillars. What I saw instead was quite the letdown. This one is very ordinary, especially attached to metal poles. I like the interlocking Ss, but the token magnolia seems out of place. I assume that means this sign is fairly new, and this would be quite the regression if that is the case. I must say that the motto on the sign is appropriate, since Mississippi did have a very hometown feel to it.

Welcome to Jackson

October 12, 2006

Right in the heart of the Magnolia State, Jackson is a decent sized town and also the state's largest. The area around the capitol seemed to embody the stereotypical old southern town, with all the streets in a perfectly symmetrical grid, all the stores and shops right up on the sidewalk, and the architecture dating back to the turn of the 20th century. I probably shouldn't have been overly surprised, but I was interested to see the number of memorials to "the war of northern aggression." A few were to be expected, but I saw several during my brief stay in Jackson.  One thing I thought was unusual was the state fair was going on when I visited, and it fairgrounds were literally four blocks away from the capitol on the same main road off I-55.

Mississippi did not make it easy for me to take a picture of its capitol. While the dense foliage around the grounds was pleasant, it made a shot from the front impossible. The photo above was the best angle I could find, and it is slightly askew, which made me mad (even the eagle on top of the dome seems to be perched in the tree). This building seems very reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol, except the limestone here is a shade more brown than white. The grounds took up an entire city block, and included several walking trails allowing pedestrians to get a close-up look at the various trees and flowers. Maybe they aren't in season this late in the year, but I didn't see any magnolias, which was disappointing.

Miscellaneous Mississippi Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter