Tunica in Tunica County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Lane's Barber Shop
1246 Edwards Avenue
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2024
1. Lane's Barber Shop Marker
Built in 1918 by Burney Russell, the first owner of the business was Angus Droke. Droke sold the business to Griff Lane, who opened Lane's Barber Shop in 1928. In 1955 Claude Lane went into business with Griff, making the business a family affair. Haircuts were a dollar, and for that dollar, children received their cuts, a dusting of sweet smelling powder, a piece of bubble gum, and a nickel. The nickel was eliminated in 1976, when money became too precious due to economic inflation. More than just a place to get an affordable haircut, Lane's became a gathering place for friends and neighbors who came in each morning to catch up on local news. Griff kept up with everything birthdays (he phoned people on birthdays), graduations, and other events, which were recorded on calendars and in tattered black books, held together with rubber bands. At the barber shop, countless deals and decisions were made, secrets shared, and lives changed, all in the security of the friendly barbershop atmosphere. If these walls could talk, what stories they would tell! In 1984 Mr. Lane retired and Koonce, Erwin, and Wilkes Insurance Agency bought the building. They remain the owners to this day.
Erected by Tunica Main Street.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 34° 41.317′ N, 90° 22.942′ W. Marker is in Tunica, Mississippi, in Tunica County. It is on Edwards Avenue (Old U.S. 61) just south of Harris Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, near the center of the front/west facade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1246 Edwards Avenue, Tunica MS 38676, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Mississippi Delta, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harold "Hardface" Clanton (within shouting distance of this marker); 1249 Main Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1251 Main Street (about 300 feet away); 1245 Main Street (about 300 feet away); Hotel Marie (about 400 feet away); 1317 Main Street (about 400 feet away); Leo Lesser Building (about 400 feet away); In Memory of Lieut. John R. Stapleton (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tunica.
Regarding Lane's Barber Shop. Contributing property, Tunica Historic District, National Register
2. Marker detail: Lane's Barber Shop, circa 1950
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Gene and Linda Ford (2004), and Richard J. Cawthon (2006 revisions):
Main Street and Edwards Avenue (originally East and West Edwards Street) are the heart of the historic district, located on either side of a broad median which was formerly the location of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad right-of-way. Commercial buildings line both streets. Brick sidewalks, curbs and landscaping accentuate the historic commercial area. Main Street and Edwards Avenue have consistently functioned as the commercial artery of Tunica since the founding of the town.1246 Edwards Avenue 1918
Two story, brick commercial building with flat roof of tar composition, parapet, stone cornice, grill-covered ventilators, three storefronts with two wood and glass panel doors, one wood panel door, display windows, portion of clerestory and one transom covered, kick plates, second story with segmented arch 1/1 double hung sash windows, stone sills and lintels.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2024
3. Lane's Barber Shop Marker
The marker is mounted between storefronts at the center of the front/west facade.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2024
4. 1246 Edwards Avenue (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
