Osceola in Mississippi County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Willie Bloom

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 31, 2010

1. Willie Bloom Marker

Inscription. Osceola's own "Sweet Man," Willie Bloom, captured Southern cotton workers' sentiment with his legendary Blues music dating back to 1918. Bloom, whose recordings included "Osceola Blues," played alongside musical giants such as W.C. Handy, Jimmy Lunceford, Fats Pichon, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Fats Waller.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 35° 42.168′ N, 89° 58.15′ W. Marker is in Osceola, Arkansas, in Mississippi County. It is at the intersection of West Hale Avenue and South Poplar Street, on the right when traveling east on West Hale Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Osceola AR 72370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in Crowley’s Ridge,

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

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: Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas (here, next to this marker); Son Seals (here, next to this marker); Billy Lee Riley (here, next to this marker); Albert King (here, next to this marker); Reggie Young (here, next to this marker); Patterson Store (a few steps from this marker); Coston Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mississippi County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Osceola.

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Osceola's Musical Heritage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. Osceola's Musical Heritage

From left to right are markers for Reggie Young, Albert King, Son Seals, Willie Bloom, Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas, and Billy Lee Riley. To the right is the old Patterson Store.

3. Willie Bloom Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,564 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 20, 2011, by Rudolph Frazier of North Little Rock, Arkansas.