Unity Presbyterian Church organized in 1828 with the Rev. Thos. Archibald, pastor. Buried here are early settlers, one Revolutionary War soldier, two War of 1812 soldiers, and three Civil War soldiers. — — Map (db m8966) HM
Built in 1946 as the first “Road Switcher” of its type in U.S. Columbus and Greenville Railway’s first diesel powered locomotive. Retired in 1984 after thirty-eight years on freight and passenger trains. — — Map (db m8457) HM
The Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church became part of the Tombecbee Presbytery in 1825 and joined the New Hope Cumberland Presbytery in 1866. The cemetery was established in 1827 and contains the graves of many veterans. The date Beersheba . . . — — Map (db m8477) HM
Congregation established in 1834 by William Ervin, Elizabeth and Drennon Love, James Ervin, Rosamond Odeneal and Thomas and Margaret E. Witherspoon. These Scots-Irish pioneers from Alabama and the Carolinas settled here after the Choctaw Cession of . . . — — Map (db m8484) HM
Here in 1862 Confederacy built huge arsenal employing over 1000 persons. Later one of buildings became original site of Union Academy, first free public school for Negroes in Columbus. — — Map (db m8553) HM
Dedicated in 1863. This is the oldest Catholic Church in NE Miss. It once served a parish that included Corinth & Meridian. The design for the Gothic structure was conceived by Fr. J. B. Mouton, the first pastor. — — Map (db m8486) HM
Originally, 1817-21, known as Possum Town. Became one of richest cities in old Black Prairie cotton belt. Home of state's first free school and M.S.C.W. — — Map (db m8487) HM
The Black Prairies of eastern Mississippi have produced a number of notable blues musicians, including Howlin’ Wolf, Bukka White, and Big Joe Williams. Activity in Columbus, the largest city in the region, centered around areas such as this block of . . . — — Map (db m27607) HM
Began here, April 25, 1866, with first annual placing of flowers on graves of Blue and Gray. Idea originated at meeting in Twelve Gables home of Miss Matt Morton. — — Map (db m8552) HM
The first "laboratory" school for teacher training in the state was established in 1907 by the faculty of Industrial Institute and College (1884), now Mississippi University for Women, the first public college for women in America. The present . . . — — Map (db m8554) HM
Dennis Wicks, Jr. designated land in the early 1900’s to build a pond for family members to water their livestock. The pond was called Wicks Pond. He also donated a water pump for clean drinking water.
Dennis Wicks, Jr.
November 17, 1883 ~ . . . — — Map (db m178992) HM
Organized in 1832 by Thomas Blewett, with Rev. A.S. Bayley serving as the first pastor (1832-1834), this church has erected two sanctuaries. The first was built here in 1838, and the second, this Gothic Revival-style structure designed by Reuben . . . — — Map (db m69565) HM
Founded, 1839, through efforts of Talbert Fanning and David Lipscomb. Present structure, erected 1849-50, housed refugee State Senate in Civil War. Here Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterways Agreement was signed in 1958. — — Map (db m8555) HM
One of America's leading playwrights, Tennessee Williams was born here March 26, 1911. He received the Pulitzer Prize for "Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Both stories set in the South. — — Map (db m8556) HM
Oldest church organization in Columbus, dating from 1831. Second structure, built in 1844, became synagogue after building of present church, 1860-1867. — — Map (db m8557) HM
State's oldest free school. Has functioned since 1821. Worthy trustees, using 16th section income & employing able teachers, early made Columbus a cultural center in northeast Mississippi. — — Map (db m8582) HM
SW, 12 blocks. Two state governors, over 1,000 C.S.A. soldiers, including 4 generals, lie here. The decorating of their graves & those of Union soldiers, inspired F.M. Finch's "The Blue and the Gray." 1867. — — Map (db m8583) HM
Henry Armstrong, born Henry Jackson in this area in 1912, began his professional boxing career in 1931. Armstrong became the only boxer to hold world titles simultaneously in three weight divisions. He was named boxer of the year in 1937 and 1938 . . . — — Map (db m13902) HM
James “Jim” Wicks designated land in the early 1900’s to build a school to educate family members. The school was named Wicks Normal School.
James “Jim” Wicks
February 20, 1867 ~ January 2, 1939 — — Map (db m178993) HM
Built by Thomas Blewett circa 1840 for daughter Regina and James Harrison, leading lawyer and politician. Site of 1865 marriage and home of Stephen D. and Regina Harrison Lee. — — Map (db m8584) HM
Joshua Lawrence Meador was born in 1911 in Greenwood, Mississippi, and moved here at age seven. Meador worked for Walt Disney Productions from 1936 to 1965 as head of the effects department. His film credits include Snow White, Fantasia, Bambi, . . . — — Map (db m64694) HM
Built by War Department 1817-20, to connect New Orleans with Nashville. Suggested by & named for Gen. Andrew Jackson. Soon became an important commercial & telegraph route. — — Map (db m8585) HM
The oldest state supported woman's college (1884) in the United States. It pioneered in adding vocational subjects to standard arts-science program. — — Map (db m8586) HM
Established in 1833 when James and Susannah Vaughn donated 5.7 acres of land to the Mt. Pleasant congregation. After Judge John Perkins donated an adjacent 5-acre plot to the congregation in 1851, the church was moved and the original site was . . . — — Map (db m20116) HM
Ned Wicks designated land to build a church in the early 1900’s for family members to worship the Lord. The church is called New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Ned Wicks
August 1849 ~ circa 1929 — — Map (db m178995) HM
6 mi. N. at mouth of Tibbee and ford in Tombigbee is site of old Indian village, fort, and cotton trading center. Incorporated 1836, but declined with river trade. Now a wilderness.
(supplement)
This sign was originally posted (1952) . . . — — Map (db m178939) HM
The Queen City Hotel, located at this site, was once the cultural hub of the African American community in Columbus. Constructed in the 1880s, the building was opened as a hotel in 1914 by blues guitarist Robert Walker and later owned by Edward . . . — — Map (db m140700) HM
Front
For several decades beginning in the early 1900s, the Queen City Hotel, which stood across the street from this site, was at the center of a vibrant African American community along 7th Avenue North. Clubs and cafes in the area . . . — — Map (db m140699) HM
Opened 1820s. Ran from Jackson Military Road to Natchez Trace by way of Louisville, Doak's Stand & Choctaw Agency. For years it was only direct route from Columbus to Jackson. — — Map (db m28075) HM
The first rural consolidated school in Mississippi. The school was moved to this site in 1904 and flourished under the guidance of Professor B. G. Hull, who was principal until 1918. Due to the success of the school, Hull was recognized as a . . . — — Map (db m8622) HM
Home of Lt. Gen., C.S.A.; legislator; first president Miss A. & M. College; member Constitutional Convention of 1890; one of organizers of Vicksburg Military Park; Commander United Confederate Veterans; military historian. — — Map (db m8623) HM
Established before the Civil War, Sandfield Cemetery served historically as a burial ground for the African American community in Columbus. Among the approximately 250 people buried here are Rev. Jesse Freeman Boulden, a leader in the . . . — — Map (db m140696) HM
Parish organized Jan. 1, 1837. First church consecrated 1838. Present church begun 1854, consecrated Nov. 15, 1860, by the Rt. Rev. William Mercer Green, first Episcopal Bishop of Miss. — — Map (db m8624) HM
Friends of Libraries U.S.A.
Literary Landmarks Register
The Tennessee Williams
Visitors Center
Author, playwright, and poet
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams
(1911-1983),
was born in Columbus, Mississippi.
In tribute to his . . . — — Map (db m8719) HM
A native of Columbus, Walter Lanier "Red" Barber (1908-1992) as a boy lived on North 4th Avenue. He began a storied career in radio broadcasting in 1934 after receiving a job offer from the Cincinnati Reds. Barber was the voice of the Cincinnati . . . — — Map (db m8626) HM
W. 5 mi. Built 1852 by Col. Geo. H. Young, who used own plant for gas lighting. In Civil War housed refugee girls from Memphis & New Orleans. Site of organization of National Fox Hunters Association. — — Map (db m8627) HM
Wicks Community is an African American community established in 1887. This land was purchased by Dennis Wicks from Simon Leob, a Jewish man. Dennis Wicks was a former slave, the son of Ned Wicks. Ned Wicks was purchased as a slave by a farmer named . . . — — Map (db m178987) HM
Eminent lawyer and editor. U.S. Congressman, 1852-1861. Miss. Quartermaster-General, 1861. Commanding General of famous Mississippi Brigade. Killed at Gettysburg. Here is site of plantation home. — — Map (db m8628) HM
The large tree that you see here is known by several common names, including Osage orange and hedge apple. We will use a colloquial name, Bodock (bodark), based upon the original French name, bois d’arc (wood of the bow). The Osage Indians made . . . — — Map (db m178982) HM
Organized 1869. Original building Ľ mile West. Rev. Thomas Benton Wood, first pastor. Land Given by Martha Kidd Vaughn, lumber by A.P. Presley. — — Map (db m8629) HM
Zacharias Wicks, Sr. designated land in 1920 as a burial ground for family members. The cemetery is called Wicks memorial Garden.
Zacharias Wicks, Sr.
April 12, 1872 ~ June 15, 1950 — — Map (db m178997) HM
Side A
Big Joe Williams (c. 1903-1982) epitomized the life and times of the rambunctious, roving bluesman, traveling from coast to coast and around the world playing rugged, rhythmic blues on his nine-string guitar at juke joints, house . . . — — Map (db m27750) HM
Estab. in 1825 on the corner of a 1400 acre plantation owned by James Brownlee, Sr. & his wife Mary. Three brothers who lost their lives in the service of the Confederate States of America lie buried here. — — Map (db m8485) HM
Born Camden, S.C. 1794.
Died Lowndes County, Miss. 1869.
He won fame and the gratitude of our forefathers by his daring ride from Ft. Stephens to Nashville, Tenn, to procure General Jackson’s aid against the Creek Indians.
This tablet . . . — — Map (db m178937) HM
Sam Hairston was born on January 20, 1920, in this area. In 1944, shortly after returning from service in World War II, Hairston began his baseball career with the Birmingham Black Barons and the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro League as an . . . — — Map (db m140689) HM
