To set the stage, I traveled today between Hattiesburg, Mississippi and a McGehee Arkansas, crossing the Mississippi at Vicksburg, heading north on US 65. I played the 1940’s recording of Dad singing “Old Man River” beside the mighty Mississippi. I wish he could have been there to hear it on the wind. I visited the Vicksburg National Balttlefield Park, and lots more.
The only sour note was that the US80 bridge across the Mississippi at Vicksburg, which my map showed as open, is long closed, so I was forced to take the interstate across the river. However, I maintained semi virginity by backtracking and picking up US 80 at the barrier on the west side, thus committing only a technical violation of the” no interstates” provision of my contract with the Hypotenuse Trail Association. Keep in mind that the real trail blazers of old were frequently forced to cross rivers on rail trestles, which do not qualify in my book as roads! So save your “ Ah, Ha’s.” I am just following in their tire tracks.
Let me start with my second town find…Utica, Mississippi, about 6 miles from the Natchez Trace and under 25 miles southeast of Vicksburg. The town is filled with vintage southern store buildings, and seems blessed with a man and wife who have dedicated themselves to bringing life back to the village. I know this, because as I started taking pictures of buildings, Kevin stopped his lawn mower and walked across the street to greet me.
He has purchased some of the 1800’s town relics and is proceeding to do authentic restorations. The product of his and his wife’s efforts is evident in several buildings, and in the fact that Utica has attracted resources and support from state and local sources to help share its charms and history with others.
Like I said yesterday, American has nothing to fear. People are making things happen for the better everywhere. When I say “This land is your land…..” it is in good hands.
A photo of the results Keven and his wife have thus far achieved follows:
It is Sunday afternoon in Utica, and small town life isn’t rushed. You savor the passing scene.
The first town I “found” today was Georgetown, Mississippi. I know nothing of its fortunes or history, but it is the 1940’s town I was seeking on this trip. The business activities have moved out to the “highway” and the former downtown is completely closed down, as though they boarded up the windows and went home. It looks like the Georgetown Bank may have been the last to leave.
And at the end of the street is the park, and it is a 1940’s park, complete with gazebo, and swings and the kind of playground equipment that I knew as a kid…before you couldn’t afford the liability insurance.
I’d guess that downtown Georgetown is not going to be resurrected like Utica. In fact, it should be preserved. It is as close as I am likely ever to come again in my life to seeing the Main Street of 1940. This is Mayberry and Main Street as it really was. You don’t see trees planted in the sidewalk, no hanging flower baskets, no fancy smancy lamp posts, no festival banners….just the water tower, simple, small stores in a line, and on the corner, the bank…. big, strong and apparently secure….and the flag flying on the town flagpole. Wow!
And the playground has all the 1940’s stuff, except a teeter totter.
Here are a few photos of old town Georgetown, Mississippi:
Vicksburg was great, especially the Civil War history. This is practically a pilgrimage site! People were driving and even walking the 16 mile tour in the Vicksburg Battlefield National Park with passion and anticipation. Frankly, it is difficult not to be moved emotionally in some way when you are on such historic ground.
The US 80 bridge over the Mississippi at Vicksburg I thought I was going to take when I took this photo! Look beyond it to the bridge I had to take….nice too, but on the “I way”
Along US 65 at Lake Providence in far Northeast Louisiana
That's it for this evening.
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
