Discover 20 Unique Hidden Gems in Mississippi

Named after the Mississippi River, the state of Mississippi is situated at the southern end of the United States, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and the Mississippi River to the west.

Recognized as the most devout state in the U.S., Mississippi is home to the Norris Bookbinding Company, the nation’s largest Bible-binding facility, and also houses an ancient Biblical manuscript, known as the oldest book in America, within the University of Mississippi.

Interestingly, the term “teddy bear” originated from Theodore Roosevelt, who, during a hunting expedition in Sharkey County, Mississippi, declined to shoot a trapped bear. This event inspired a political cartoon, resulting in the creation of the beloved stuffed animal.

While Mississippi is often overlooked by tourists, it is abundant in natural beauty, historical significance, rich culture, warm hospitality, and an impressive music scene—most notably, it is the birthplace of Blues music in the Mississippi Delta.

Let us delve into some of Mississippi’s hidden treasures, often regarded as an underappreciated southern gem in America.

1. The Mississippi River Basin Model, Jackson

Situated amid the dense woods in Buddy Butts Park, the abandoned Mississippi River Basin Model represents the largest of its kind ever constructed.

Developed near Clinton, Mississippi, this model extended over 200 acres and was built over 23 years, from 1943 to 1966, although some sections became operational as early as 1949.

Originally initiated as a flood management project by the Army Corps of Engineers, the model played a crucial role in helping the state to forecast and mitigate devastating losses from earlier disasters, including the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927.

Over 1,800 German and Italian POWs contributed to the project, which not only aided in preventing severe damages but also became a notable tourist attraction at the time.

However, the advent of computer modeling increased management costs, leading to the site’s relocation to Jackson, where it now remains unoccupied.

2. Clarksdale Crossroads, Clarksdale

The intersection of Highway 61 and 49, marked by three enormous blue guitars atop a pole, is reputedly the site where Blues legend Robert Johnson sold his soul to THE DEVIL, thereby securing his destiny as one of the greatest Blues musicians.

Given Mississippi’s reputation as the birthplace of Blues music, Clarksdale has nurtured a multitude of celebrated artists within the genre, including Robert Johnson, who initially struggled to achieve recognition.

According to legend, disheartened by his dismal career, Johnson accepted an offer from a mysterious stranger to tune his guitar, unaware that this entity was purportedly the Devil.

Whether he willingly entered a pact or not remains a topic of debate; nonetheless, this fateful interaction led to Johnson being celebrated as the “greatest blues player” of his era.

The site has since been adorned with three guitars and a sign denoting it as “The Crossroads.”

3. Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island, Gulfport

Post-War of 1812, the U.S. War Department initiated extensive fortification projects to defend the nation’s coast. Ship Island, strategically located along a shipping route, was vital to safeguard New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, leading to its designation as a military reservation in 1847, with construction of Fort Massachusetts commencing in 1859.

Constructed between 1859 and 1866 under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers and primarily involving civilian labor, the fort was named in honor of the USS Massachusetts, a Union Navy steamer, and remained operational until 1903.

In July 1861, the fort witnessed a brief yet intense exchange of gunfire between Confederate and Union forces—its only significant military engagement. Though mostly complete, harsh weather conditions ultimately rendered the fort abandoned.

Today, Fort Massachusetts stands as an attraction within the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

4. Windsor Ruins, Claiborne County

Constructed between 1859 and 1861, Windsor Mansion spanned 2,600 acres and belonged to Smith Coffee Daniel II, a prominent Mississippi cotton planter, who resided there with his wife, Catherine Freeland, and their children.

A testament to architectural brilliance, the mansion was predominantly built by enslaved people under the guidance of architect David Shroder. Its design featured 29 massive columns crowned with iron Corinthian capitals, intricate wrought-iron balustrades, an imposing staircase, three hallways, a rooftop cupola, and expansive verandas.

Tragically, Smith passed away shortly after the mansion’s completion, yet his family held onto the property until 1974. An accidental fire in 1890 caused extensive damage to the mansion, leaving behind only the columns, staircase, and some wrought iron elements.

5. The Witch of Yazoo, Yazoo City

Within Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City lies a grave encircled by a broken chain and split tombstone. Legends suggest the original headstone bore the inscription “T.W.,” potentially referring to “The Witch.”

Numerous tales contribute to the legend of the “Witch of Yazoo,” with the most renowned involving an elderly woman residing by the Yazoo River, reputed for using witchcraft to entice and torment fishermen.

One fateful day, a sheriff pursued her into the swamplands, where she accidentally drowned. Before her demise, she purportedly cursed the town, foretelling misfortune for two decades until her return to seek vengeance.

Though the curse faded from memory, it resurfaced in 1904 when a devastating fire ravaged the town, destroying 200 homes and most businesses.

After this catastrophe, locals visited her grave only to find the chains that enclosed it shattered, and despite efforts to repair them, they repeatedly broke.

6. Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant, Iuka

The Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant stands as a prime example of multiple significant financial setbacks, involving both the Tennessee Valley Authority (T.V.A.) and NASA. Upon understanding the details, one might agree that it is indeed a spectacular managerial failure.

In the late 1970s, T.V.A., in a moment of imprudent optimism, decided to initiate the construction of 17 new nuclear power plants, including Yellow Creek, intended to function as a cooling power station. However, due to an overestimation of electricity demand, the project was abruptly halted, and the tower was never constructed.

Subsequently, the partly finished endeavor cost $1.2 billion and became one of eight similar ventures that never materialized. But T.V.A. was not the only entity to face disappointment.

In the 1980s, NASA targeted the site for a new project: a manufacturing plant for solid rocket motors. However, after years of planning and a $1.5 billion investment, Congress terminated NASA’s project in 1993, plunging the Iuka area into economic hardship for a second time.

Although access to the site is restricted, those passing by can view this monument to two colossal miscalculations from the adjacent road.

7. Margaret’s Grocery and Market, Vicksburg

Located on US Highway 61—the same highway referenced in Bob Dylan’s famous song—stand the dilapidated ruins of Margaret’s Grocery and Market, once a revered symbol of faith and community spirit that embodies a poignant story of unfulfilled aspirations.

Margaret, after whom the store was named, operated the grocery store with her first husband until his tragic death in a shooting incident. Five years later, she remarried Reverend HD Dennis in 1979.

Reverend Dennis promised to transform the grocery store into a sanctuary of worship and dedicated himself to renovating the establishment to attract more visitors, aiming to convey the message of faith.

However, progress came to an abrupt halt when local building inspectors ordered that the renovation should be terminated.

The couple bequeathed the property to the Church before passing away, but both the Church and the State have struggled to maintain this once-stately structure.

8. Birthplace of Kermit the Frog, Leland

Leland, though not widely recognized, is the birthplace of two notable figures—Jim Henson, an influential puppeteer and creative mind, and Kermit the Frog, Henson’s most iconic creation.

Born in 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi, Henson spent his formative years in Leland, surrounded by the natural beauty of swamplands, which is believed to have influenced his work. One of his early “friends” might have been a frog, inspiring the creation of Kermit the Frog; similarly, Kermit Scott, a childhood friend, may have provided the name for Henson’s creation.

At present, two small rooms within the Leland Chamber of Commerce showcase an extensive collection of puppets and memorabilia celebrating Jim Henson’s legacy and Kermit the Frog’s contributions to popular culture. The museum also features trivia and facts about puppetry, as well as an authentic Kermit the Frog puppet, donated by Henson’s widow.

9. Grave of the Lady in Red, Lexington

In 1969, while working at the Egypt Plantation near Cruger, farmers stumbled upon a hard object in the earth. Upon excavation, they discovered an iron and glass coffin containing the remains of a beautiful young woman garbed in red.

Her attire, appearing a century old, had been remarkably preserved in alcohol, leading observers to believe she had been buried merely a day prior.

Numerous attempts were made to identify the enigmatic “Lady in Red” and clarify the circumstances surrounding her unmarked grave. However, when those efforts failed, her remains were reinterred at Lexington’s Old Fellow cemetery, marked with a plaque that read, “Lady in Red, Found in Egypt Plantation, 1835 – 1969.”

10. Grave of Douglas the Confederate Camel, Vicksburg

Although Douglas was not the sole camel to serve in the United States during the Civil War, he was cherished by the 43rd Mississippi Infantry, also known as the “Camel Regiment.”

How Douglas was acquired remains uncertain, though he was presented to Colonel W.H. Moore prior to serving in pivotal battles at Iuka and Corinth.

Well-known for occasionally breaking free, Douglas typically did so to assert his freedom but never strayed far from the regiment. Unfortunately, on one such occasion, he found himself caught in no man’s land and was tragically shot by a Union sharpshooter.

The Confederate forces retaliated heavily, injuring the shooter as an act of vengeance for Douglas. The loyal camel now rests among 5,000 fellow soldiers in the Soldier’s Rest Section of Cedar Hill Cemetery.

11. Rowan Oak, Oxford

Initially referred to as “The Bailey Place,” Rowan Oak was constructed in the 1840s by Colonel Robert Sheegog, and in 1930, it was sold to renowned author William Faulkner and his wife, Estelle.

Renamed by Faulkner to honor the mythical tree, the two-story residence was in disrepair upon acquisition. However, the couple was captivated by the four acres of woodland surrounding their estate. While Estelle envisioned renovating the area rich with red cedar, cypress, and magnolia trees, Faulkner opted to focus solely on remodeling the house.

The couple resided on the property until Faulkner’s passing in 1962, during which time he penned several of his notable Southern Gothic works, receiving a National Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, and Nobel Prize for Literature.

Rowan Oak was bequeathed to the University of Mississippi in 1972 by Faulkner’s daughter, and it remains a site welcoming visitors who wish to pay tribute to one of literature’s greatest authors.

12. Grave of the Gypsy Queen, Meridian

Queen Kelly Mitchell and her husband, King Emil, led the Mitchell Clan of Romany people and had 14 children. While camped in Alabama, the Queen passed away on January 31, 1915, due to complications from childbirth of her 15th child.

Traditionally believed to originate from northwest India, the Romany people are a nomadic group known for their unwavering cultural values and deep respect for their leaders.

Queen Kelly was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi, and a ceremonial Romany funeral was conducted in her honor. Following her death, around 20,000 Romany individuals gathered to pay their respects during her funeral, which resembled a grand carnival.

Visitors often leave trinkets, beads, and even cans of Crush Orange Soda at her grave, purportedly her favorite beverage.

13. Mammy’s Cupboard, Natchez

Once considered emblematic of racial commentary, Mammy’s Cupboard is a restaurant located along U.S. Route 61 that has been serving patrons since 1940.

The 28-foot tall brick structure resembles the “mammy” figure popularized by the film Gone With The Wind. Recognizing its politically charged symbol during the Civil Rights Movement, the owners later decided to lighten the figure’s skin tone to avoid controversy.

Regardless of the surrounding discourse, the restaurant’s homemade pie has received accolades, being featured in the book American Pie and highlighted by The Press Democrat on National Pie Day.

Indulge in the pie, but consider the implications of political correctness before entering!

14. Longwood, Natchez

Longwood, regarded as the largest octagonal residence in the nation, materialized from the aspirations of Dr. Haller Nutt, a member of Mississippi’s affluent class stemming from the cotton industry.

Designed to include 32 rooms with individual balconies, the mansion was envisioned to feature a basement and an observatory, culminating in an impressive six stories beneath an elaborate onion-shaped dome.

Commissioned to architect Samuel Sloan from Philadelphia, construction commenced in 1860 and involved numerous skilled craftspeople, also hailing from Philadelphia. Regrettably, the onset of the Civil War in 1861 disrupted operations as workers returned home, leaving the project incomplete.

With only the basement, first floor, and exterior completed, Dr. Nutt and his family moved into Longwood, yet the war thwarted its finalization and severely limited Dr. Nutt’s financial resources.

Presently maintained by the Natchez Pilgrimage Garden Club, the incomplete structure remains largely unchanged, except for the absence of a spire that was once atop the dome, and is accessible to visitors.

15. Simmons-Wright Company Store, Toomsuba

Originally erected in 1885 as a saw and wheat mill for local cotton farmers, the Simmons-Wright Company Store has retained its charm since its inception (132 years ago).

Initially, the store accepted cotton as payment to settle debts and offered an extensive array of inventory for farmers’ needs. Alas, a devastating fire in 1926 completely destroyed the original building, prompting the construction of a two-story replacement that remains to this day.

The store has preserved its historical essence, still showcasing products on shelves under exposed hanging light bulbs, illuminating a collection of food items, antiques, hand tools, and weathered shovels.

A café has since been established adjacent to the store, celebrating the century-long legacy of the Simmons-Wright Company Store.

16. The Emerald Mound, Natchez

Ranked second to Monks Mound in Illinois, the Emerald Mound is identified as the second largest sacred mound in the United States, constructed as a site of worship by the Plaquemine Native American culture between 1200 and 1730 CE.

Also known as the Selsertown Site, this archaeological relic from the Mississippian period is located within the Natchez Trace Parkway, covering over eight acres of land. The mound features a flat top and two smaller secondary mounds remaining from what was once a revered site.

Named after the Emerald Plantation that once enveloped the area in the 19th century, the mound, sitting atop a natural hill, boasts a summit 65 feet wide. Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of at least six other similar mounds in proximity, yet no remnants have been found as proof.

A National Historic Landmark since 1989, the Emerald Mound is now managed by the Parkway and welcomes visitors.

17. Mississippi John Hurt Grave, Carrollton

Mississippi’s rich history is intimately connected to the evolution of blues music. Among the many blues musicians associated with the state is the legendary Mississippi John Hurt, born John Smith Hurt, who dedicated much of his life to farming and self-learning the guitar.

Born in Carroll County and raised in Avalon, Hurt was renowned for his rhythmic, syncopated style, which was highly conducive to dancing. His early recordings with Okeh Records gained some recognition, yet the Great Depression led to a downturn in the industry, obscuring his career.

In 1963, musicologist Tom Hoskins rediscovered Hurt, persuading him to relocate to Washington, D.C., to reignite his career in blues.

Following this revival, Hurt released numerous albums and performed at various concerts and music festivals. He passed away in 1966 in a Grenada, Mississippi hospital, and his remains were returned to Avalon, where he is interred at a hillside cemetery that is somewhat challenging to locate but merits the visit.

18. The Two-Headed Snake at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson is the state’s largest museum, showcasing various thought-provoking exhibitions. Founded in 1933 by Francis A. Cook as part of the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission, the museum’s initial director played a pivotal role in its establishment within LeFleur’s Bluff State Park.

Known for housing captivating habitat displays, aquariums, and nature trails, the museum highlights Mississippi’s flora and fauna. It boasts over a million samples of fossils, plants, birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals on exhibit.

With a mission to promote the biological diversity of Mississippi, the museum operates as both an educational center and a research facility.

Among the many other captivating exhibits displayed in the two-story museum, “The Two-Headed Snake” remains a rare attraction in this region, holding its status as the museum’s foremost highlight for an extended period.

19. U.S.S. Cairo, Vicksburg

Commissioned in 1862, the U.S.S. Cairo was one of seven formidable gunboats designed for service during the American Civil War and constructed by James B. Eads. That same year, this ironclad vessel participated in various operations, including engagements in Clarksville, Nashville, and Memphis.

The Cairo operated on the Mississippi River until it was formally transferred to the U.S. Navy. In December of that year, while engaged in mine-clearing duties on the Yazoo River, it was struck by a torpedo—this marked the first recorded sinking of a warship by a newly developed torpedo technology.

Following the incident and subsequent sinking, the Cairo was salvaged in 1965, and after significant restoration efforts, the remnants of the vessel are now displayed beneath a white canopy at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

20. Woodall Mountain, Iuka

Standing at 807 feet above sea level, Woodall Mountain is the highest point in Mississippi, but its significance extends beyond elevation. It served as a battleground during the Battle of Iuka throughout the American Civil War.

Formerly known as “Yow Hill,” the mountaintop was occupied by 4,500 Union soldiers under General William Rosecrans, who opened fire on the surrounding town on September 19, 1862. Confederate forces, numbering 3,200 under General Sterling Price, retaliated. Ultimately, Price ceased fire, allowing Rosecrans to seize the town.

In contemporary times, the mountain is primarily utilized for hunting. Equipped with communication towers, a lookout bench, and a registry, the summit is accessible to the public via a well-maintained road.