Known as “the most southern place on earth,” it should come as no surprise that Mississippi’s Delta region is home to the charming town of Greenwood. The river town is filled with historic sites, cultural treats, amazing architecture, and a perfectly southern heritage you’ll fall in love with.
Take a look:
Located between the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Rivers, Greenwood has a population just under 18,000.
City of Greenwood - Office of the Mayor The city was incorporated in 1844 and was named after Chief Greenwood LeFlore.
The city’s location played a huge role in its success.
City of Greenwood - Office of the Mayor When Greenwood was established there was an extremely high demand for cotton, and since it was located right on the water, it began flourishing almost immediately. The city, which became a major shipping point, sent cotton to markets in New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, and St. Louis.
Greenwood is full of landmarks that you can only find in southern towns.
Sean Davis/Flickr One great way to see Greenwood’s charming landmarks is the Main Street Walking Tour, which will lead you to the 1906 Neoclassic Courthouse (pictured), Cotton Row, the 1912 Carnegie Library, and several blocks of retail shops that date back to the 1890s – 1930s. For a copy of the walking tour guide, click here.
Just like you’d expect from a perfectly southern town, Greenwood is filled with mouthwatering eateries.
The Crystal Grill/Facebook Opened since 1926, The Crystal Grill is a Greenwood landmark known for its fare of authentic southern cooking and pies piled “mile high” with meringue.
Carl Black/Flickr The Delta Bistro is another Greenwood favorite. The restaurant’s James Beard-nominated chef serves up Cajun and Creole specialties, which include items such as black-eyed pea cakes and Bourbon and Coke fried chicken sliders.
Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr In true southern fashion, there’s also plenty of mouthwatering barbecue in Greenwood. Some of the best in town is prepared by Leroy “Spooney” Kenter Jr. Since closing his storefront, Kenter travels around Greenwood’s Baptist Town, serving up his renowned ribs.
Within Greenwood, you’ll find plenty of places to learn about the history of the quintessential southern city, as well as the entire Delta region.
Social Stratification/Flickr To really take in all Greenwood has to offer, you’ll definitely want to visit the Back in the Day Museum, which focuses on African-American culture within the region. There’s also the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, which covers a broader area of the region’s history.
For a truly southern experience, you’ll definitely want to visit one of Greenwood’s most unique landmarks, the Tallahatchie Flats.
Visit Mississippi/Flickr The Tallahatchie Flats consist of six perfectly preserved examples of the small rural homes that once filled the Delta. These types of homes are significant because they are exactly the kind in which a number of blues musicians resided and spent time cultivating their craft. Visit the flats today, and you can enjoy an interpretive tour, experience all the aspects of a working plantation, and stay overnight in an authentic home from the past.
In 2010, Greenwood’s undeniable southern charm garnered some unexpected attention.
Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau/Facebook Most of the major motion picture, “The Help,” was filmed in Greenwood. The city was chosen because it had a “frozen-in-time look” and was filled with “stately southern architecture and modern 1960s homes.” Greenwood offers a tour that includes sites used in filming “The Help.” For more information on the tour, click here.
Ready to experience this perfectly southern town for yourself?
City of Greenwood - Office of the Mayor Click here for more information on Greenwood, including tour guides and must visit landmarks.
Have you ever visited Greenwood? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.
City of Greenwood - Office of the Mayor
The city was incorporated in 1844 and was named after Chief Greenwood LeFlore.
When Greenwood was established there was an extremely high demand for cotton, and since it was located right on the water, it began flourishing almost immediately. The city, which became a major shipping point, sent cotton to markets in New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, and St. Louis.
Sean Davis/Flickr
One great way to see Greenwood’s charming landmarks is the Main Street Walking Tour, which will lead you to the 1906 Neoclassic Courthouse (pictured), Cotton Row, the 1912 Carnegie Library, and several blocks of retail shops that date back to the 1890s – 1930s. For a copy of the walking tour guide, click here.
The Crystal Grill/Facebook
Opened since 1926, The Crystal Grill is a Greenwood landmark known for its fare of authentic southern cooking and pies piled “mile high” with meringue.
Carl Black/Flickr
The Delta Bistro is another Greenwood favorite. The restaurant’s James Beard-nominated chef serves up Cajun and Creole specialties, which include items such as black-eyed pea cakes and Bourbon and Coke fried chicken sliders.
Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr
In true southern fashion, there’s also plenty of mouthwatering barbecue in Greenwood. Some of the best in town is prepared by Leroy “Spooney” Kenter Jr. Since closing his storefront, Kenter travels around Greenwood’s Baptist Town, serving up his renowned ribs.
Social Stratification/Flickr
To really take in all Greenwood has to offer, you’ll definitely want to visit the Back in the Day Museum, which focuses on African-American culture within the region. There’s also the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, which covers a broader area of the region’s history.
Visit Mississippi/Flickr
The Tallahatchie Flats consist of six perfectly preserved examples of the small rural homes that once filled the Delta. These types of homes are significant because they are exactly the kind in which a number of blues musicians resided and spent time cultivating their craft. Visit the flats today, and you can enjoy an interpretive tour, experience all the aspects of a working plantation, and stay overnight in an authentic home from the past.
Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau/Facebook
Most of the major motion picture, “The Help,” was filmed in Greenwood. The city was chosen because it had a “frozen-in-time look” and was filled with “stately southern architecture and modern 1960s homes.” Greenwood offers a tour that includes sites used in filming “The Help.” For more information on the tour, click here.
Click here for more information on Greenwood, including tour guides and must visit landmarks.
Looking for another must visit town in the state? Check out “The Little Town In Mississippi That Might Just Be The Most Unique Town In The World.“
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