African-American Heritage
Columbus is proud of its diversity and the
contributions African-American citizens have made throughout its
rich history. These citizens played significant roles in shaping
Columbus into the town it is today. We are dedicated to building
awareness of this heritage, and we offer a historic tour that
showcases the events, people, and achievements that are important
to Columbus. Join Columbus and Lowndes County in paying tribute to
the spirit of African-Americans with our historic and informative
African-American Heritage Tour available year round.
Catfish Alley
Located between Main Street and College Street, Catfish Alley
was a central meeting and business district for the Columbus
African-American Community in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries.
Concord CME Church
One of the oldest churches in Columbus, Concord was an
African-American church established in Lowndes County in 1867.
Prior to the construction of a wooden structure, the congregation
met in what was called a "brush arbor," a collection of limbs and
bushes gathered under a large tree in an open grove. The first
wooden structure was constructed in 1908.
1213 Concord Road
662.328.3356
Dr. Theodoric V. James Home
Dr. James (believed to have been Columbus' first
African-American doctor) built this home between 1906 and 1912. It
is a nice example of the Queen Anne Free Classic style in domestic
architecture and is still owned by his descendants.
1104 5th Avenue North
Farmers Market
The first store at this location was called "The Tan Yard"
(1791-1819), and was owned and operated by William Cooper. It was
the main area in Columbus for European and Native American trade.
Cooper's last recorded transaction was the trading of horses with
the Chickasaw Tribe in 1819. The Chickasaws called Cooper "the Big
Black Tanner."
Corner of 2nd Avenue North and 4th Street North
The Haven
The Haven (c. 1843)
NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT
315 3rd Avenue North
Missionary Union Baptist Church
The Missionary Union Baptist Church, organized in 1833, is the
oldest African-American church in Northeast Mississippi. Organized
during the days of slavery, services were held in the afternoons on
Sundays and Wednesdays in the basement of the First Baptist
Church.
Penny-Savings Bank
The Penny-Savings Bank, founded in the early 1900s, was
Columbus' first African-American bank. W.I. Mitchell served as the
president of the ban from 1907 to 1913. In addition to the
Penny-Savings Bank, there are several other significant historical
facts about this location.
Queen City Hotel Site
Queen City Hotel was the center of the African-American business
district in the mid-twentieth century. It was also the focus of
lodging and entertainment for the African-American community. It
was constructed, owned and operated in 1909 by Robert Walker, who
was once a slave.
Robert Walker Home Site
Robert Walker, born before the Civil War, was a slave who was a
house servant for the Walker family. Here, he was trained as a
butler and caterer. In 1908, he opened the Queen City Hotel, the
first African-American owned and operated hotel in Columbus.
Corner of 7th Avenue and 14th Street North
Sandfield Cemetery
Sandfield Cemetery is the late nineteenth century burial site of
several African-American leaders and businessmen which include the
following:
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church originated under a "brush
harbor" by a few determined and devoted Christian slaves. In 1821,
the land for the church was chartered.
Union Academy
Union Academy was established in 1877. As indicated by the state
historic marker on 9th Avenue South, the original Union Academy was
located at the site of a former Confederate Arsenal just south of
the railroad tracks.
W.I. Mitchell Home Site
In 1877, W.I. Mitchell became the first black principal of Union
Academy, the first African-American school. Prior to becoming
principal, he was also a teacher. From 1907 to 1913, he served as
president of The Penny-Savings Bank, the first African-American
bank in Columbus, Mississippi.
Corner of 7th Avenue and 16th Street North
29th Annual Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival
29th Annual Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival
September 30 - October 1, 2011
Free Admission
For more information call 662-549-4314