“From its beginnings as a tiny frontier village perched on LeFleur’s Bluff overlooking the Pearl River, Jackson struggled to find an identity,” writes Julie Kimbrough in her introduction to Jackson. But she finds that elusive identity, recreating the city’s heritage through narratives and illustrations of its colorful past.

Kimbrough took time off from her law studies at the Uni- versity of North Carolina at Cha- pel Hill to compile this collection of more than 200 photographs from 1870 to 1950. Through them, she recounts the familiar faces, events, and landmarks that have made Jackson what it is today – from 10-cent mule-drawn trolley rides down Capitol Street and the opening of the new King Edward Hotel in 1923 to performances at the Alamo Theater and Millsaps’ V-12 program for Navy servicemen during World War II. Also included are stories of such cultural icons as Kennington’s Department Store, the Edison Walthall Hotel, and early photos of Richard Wright, Margaret Walker Alexander, Eudora Welty, and Dr. Arthur Guyton.

Through these images, Julie Kimbrough traces Jackson’s evolution from a small river town into a thriving metropolitan center for government and industry.

Millsaps Magazine  |  Millsaps | Last Edited August 31, 1999