Famous People

Delta Travel Diary

Indianola lies at some of the nation's richest farmland that boasts cotton, catfish and rice.

The backbone of the Mississippi Delta is farming. Always has been. So I figured my trip would be woefully incomplete without a closer look at this important industry. After all, it was these fields that gave birth to the blues that I love so much. Indianola, Mississippi is full of agricultural and blues heritage, so that's where I decided to start my journey.

In Indianola, I was able to satisfy my interest in both Delta agriculture and Delta Blues. The town lies at the center of some of the nation's richest farmland and agri-business enterprises. So I began by taking a guided tour by the nearby Holly Ridge cotton gin and Billups Plantation to see how they harvest cotton, catfish and rice. To a city boy, this was absolutely amazing and gave me a new appreciation for the folks who put clothes on our backs and food on our tables.

To my delight, I discovered a small graveyard close by the cotton gin that held the final resting place of early Bluesman Charley Patton, who some consider the true father of the Delta Blues. His headstone read simply, "The Voice of the Delta."

The nationally-renowned Indianola Pecan House is known for its praline pecans and specialty gifts.

A Place Blues Music History

When it comes to Blues giants, there's no one bigger than B.B. King. In any B.B. King biography you'll read that he was born near Indianola, King's inspirational style of music is known worldwide and has inspired the likes of Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones. Thousands of visitors flock to the annual B.B. King Homecoming Festival, which features a live performance by the Blues legend.

I know I'll be back to Indianola because they'll soon open a new museum in King's honor that will focus on his life, music and career, and its Delta Interpretive Center which sheds some light on this unique and special part of the world. Until then, I'm satisfied exploring other Indianola Blues sites such as the corner of Second and Church streets, where King played on Saturday nights during his early years. You can actually see his signature, handprints and footprints embedded in the sidewalk.

Now in desperate need of some live music, I sauntered over to Club Ebony, a popular Blues club that has featured performances by Count Basie, Willie Clayton and, of course, B.B. King. Then it was on to the 308 Club, the town's newest spot for the Blues and great food.

To my delight, I discovered a small graveyard close by a cotton gin that held the final resting place of early Bluesman Charley Patton, who some consider the true father of the Delta Blues. His headstone read simply, "The Voice of the Delta."

Delta Agriculture

In Indianola, Mississippi I was able to satisfy my interest in both Delta agriculture and Delta Blues. The town lies at the center of some of the nation's richest farmland and agri-business enterprises. So I began by taking a guided tour by the nearby Holly Ridge cotton gin and Billups Plantation to see how they harvest cotton, catfish and rice. To a city boy, this was absolutely amazing and gave me a new appreciation for the folks who put clothes on our backs and food on our tables.

Club Ebony is a popular Blues club that has featured performances by Count Basie, Willie Clayton and B.B. King

Specialty Shopping

I've decided to leave each town I visit with something unique to the place. In Indianola, that meant praline pecans and smoked catfish paté. Art, antique and specialty shops dot the city, but for pralines and paté I stop at the nationally-known Indianola Pecan House and the The Crown Restaurant. Delta gourmet at its finest.

Indianola Attractions

There's a lot more to do in Indianola, including a visit to the Henry M. Seymour Library with its vast collection of published Blues recordings and Walter Anderson prints. I also drove by Huckabee Hill on Bayou Drive, a private home built in 1878 that includes a Native American burial mound and ceremonial temple mound.

My adventure continues. Next stop: Greenwood, Mississippi - where a real mystery awaits.

www.indianolams.org
662-887-3009

Mississippi Delta Tourism Association
P.O. Box 68 - Greenville, Mississippi 38701
Toll Free: 877-DELTA MS