Washington County: Blues History, Mounds and Delta Nature

Winterville Mounds and Indigenous History

During the Mississippian period, from about 1200 to 1600 AD, Winterville Mounds was an important political and religious center for the Indigenous peoples of North America. The complex was built by people who lived and thrived in this region from approximately 1000 to 1450 AD. These date ranges describe different periods in the site’s history. Visitors are welcome to walk among the mounds. Mound A is 55 feet high and is one of the ten tallest earthworks in the United States—an impressive indication of the scale of the complex.

Blues History and Museums in Greenville

The history of African American business and entertainment is also part of the Delta’s cultural identity. Nelson Street was once an important center for both. In Leland, the intersection of Highways 61 and 10 was a bustling marketplace: musicians played for tips while street vendors sold hot tamales and fried fish. Freedom Village hosted the first ten Delta Blues Festivals. The first Mississippi Delta Blues Festival took place there on October 21, 1978. The Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival began in 1977 and is held on the third Saturday in September. Check the latest event dates when planning a specific trip.

Greenville’s museums explore different aspects of local history. The 1927 Flood Museum presents the story of one of the greatest natural disasters in the United States. The Greenville History Museum offers insights into local life from the late 19th century through the 1970s. The Century of History Museum documents the contributions and culture of Greenville’s Jewish residents since 1867. At the Writers’ Exhibit, you can see original manuscripts and learn more about the achievements of writers such as Shelby Foote and Walker Percy. The Greenville Air Force Base Museum tells the story of the Greenville Army Flying School from World War II through the Cold War.

The Greenville Arts Council is based at the E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center, where it holds exhibitions and events. The center is also home to a hand-painted Armitage-Herschell carousel: it is one of the two oldest operating carousels of its kind in the United States and the only one of its kind in the South.

Architecture, Riverfront and Green Spaces

Cotton Row on Main Street in Greenville preserves well-maintained late-19th-century classical architecture. Along Greenville’s riverfront, visitors can walk on the Mississippi River Levee System between Main Street and Central Street. The 38-foot observation tower in Warfield Point Park offers a different view of the Mississippi. The grounds of the Washington County Courthouse form an arboretum featuring trees native to the region. Ruins remain of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was destroyed by a cyclone.

Parks and Natural Areas

Leroy Percy State Park is Mississippi’s oldest state park. Artesian springs, cypress trees and old oaks shape its landscape. The Alligator Lake Trail passes through a Delta hardwood forest habitat. Park activities include freshwater fishing, a boat ramp, disc golf, picnic areas and playgrounds, as well as seasonal hunting opportunities. There are activities to suit different interests, from spending time by the water to a round of disc golf or a walk through the forest.

Stoneville Wildlife Management Area covers 2,500 acres in Washington County, about five miles north of Leland. Muscadine Farms WMA has a different focus: its 90 inactive catfish ponds are intensively managed for waterfowl, and conditions for wildlife may change seasonally. Waterfowl hunting there is available only through a drawing, supplemented by pre-season drawings and standby opportunities. Hunting dates and procedures may vary by season; check the latest information if you plan this activity.

Local Cuisine and Event Highlights

Washington County offers Mississippi farm-raised catfish and frog legs; individual businesses may change. The Hot Tamale Trail is a county tourism offering, and Greenville celebrates the annual Delta Hot Tamale Festival, a three-day event featuring musicians, writers and vendors of Southern food. Check current festival dates when planning your trip. The Washington County Welcome Center is located in Greenville at the intersection of Highway 82 and Reed Road.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Greenville, Kemper County, Desoto, Clay, Tunica, Copiah County, Lee, Covington

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