Jackson

Images of America: Mississippi

by Julie L. Kimbrough

Jackson celebrates the history of Mississippi's capital city with more than 200 photographs from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the National Archives, and university collections. From its start as a settlement on LeFleur's Bluff overlooking the Pearl River to its present-day position as one of the leading cities of the New South, Jackson's history is one of change, colorful characters, and a uniquely Southern atmosphere. Beginning with a tour of one of the city's oldest and best-known streets, Jackson features the work of outstanding local photographers and combines detailed historical narratives with entertaining stories about ordinary Jacksonians. From the club president who saved a magnolia tree by staging a protest in its branches to the photographer who opened his first studio in a tent, this compelling visual history revisits familiar landmarks and people from Jackson's past.

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 1998

Reviews

[Cherlynn Womack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the pictures in the book. It was a quick read & I learned some of Jackson, MS history from this book. My only disappointment was the book failed to mention of William Watts Lake's Jackson Bottling Works that bottled Lake's Celery. I saw that P.L. Borden's Coca-Cola plant was featured, but not the Lake's, which was important part of Jackson's history. Lake's Celery was Eudora Welty's favorite drink. Neither was Mrs. Viola Lake's (William Watts Lake wife) contributions to the Jackson Public School's library mentioned. She donated thousands of books & Jackson Public Schools made October 16th Viola Lake Day. Lake Elementary was even named after her. Also, The MS Institute for the Deaf & Dumb was mentioned, but not the first location. A picture of the first location off Capers Street would have been great to have in the book & how it was used as a Civil War hospital.

[Shannon Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Jacksonian should read this picture book. It’s interesting to see what our capital city used to be like. Sadly, so many of the buildings have been demolished or abandoned.