Jackson Free Press

Sweat pours down my brow as I'm walking on President Street in late July. The weatherman predicts at least 100 degrees, but with concrete surrounding me, it already feels like it has surpassed that. My purse feels like sticky plastic against my arm, and my cotton T-shirt begins to feel like itchy wool.

As I begin my walking tour, "downtown Mecca" doesn't come to mind. Sure, it's not Chicago, Los Angeles or even Atlanta, but it has it's own charm.

Sprinkled throughout the downtown area are historic buildings with ornate Greek and Roman details. Nestled at the corner of President and Pascagoula streets, City Hall remains strong as one of the oldest buildings in the downtown area. According to rumors, General Sherman, a Mason, didn't destroy the building because it housed (and still does) a Masonic lodge.

Redevelopment has breathed new life into old buildings such as the old Greyhound Bus Station on Lamar Street—now architect Robert Parker Adams' office—and the Central Fire Station on President Street, now the home of the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce. With help from the revitalization on Farish Street, the Jackson Police Museum is just steps away from the historic Alamo Theatre next to the Farish Street police substation.

As I gaze in the windows, photographs and memorabilia line the walls of what used to be a dry cleaner. Walking in the door, I am immediately drawn to the large yellow machine with an arm outstretched. Known as the Rob-1, the Jackson Police Department purchased the machine in 1995 for the bomb squad. Though the department has replaced Rob-1 with other machinery, officers used it several times to assess suspicious items.

The museum also commemorates officers killed in the line of duty and displays items seized during arrests. A homemade gun, bongs, nunchucks and brass knuckles are among the objects on the shelves.

After winding down the streets and moving back toward the eastern side of town, I pass the Old Capitol, with workers scurrying like ants to renovate the historic building. Next door, men carved in stone show valor, pride and pain at the War Memorial Building. Crossing Amite Street, the newly built Mississippi Department of Archives and History building shines in the sunlight. Behind MDAH, I stand above the Mississippi Fairgrounds, a seemingly deserted parking lot.

I move on past the Old Capitol Inn, the home of the best crab cakes I have ever eaten. Looking at the full parking lot, I believe the people inside would probably agree with me.

I end my journey at the Eudora Welty Library, named after one of the most famous Jacksonians ever.

Jackson might not be the like the big cities Eudora Welty traveled to, but she came back to the place that I, like many, still love to call home.

Previous Commentsshow

Next door, men carved in stone show valor, pride and pain at the War Memorial Building. I've always loved that sculpture, especially up close. Behind MDAH, I stand above the Mississippi Fairgrounds, a seemingly deserted parking lot. Just wait until October! :-)

LatashaWillis

Aug 14 2008

Totally inspiring. If I wasn't already aboard the downtown redevelopment train, this would have convinced me to hop on immediately.

kp

Aug 14 2008

Good Job. Lets see you do that on a friday night alone. I have always said that when a woman can walk the streets of Jax alone like that and not be in fear of her life then Jacktown will see better days.

wade G.

Aug 15 2008

Hmm well we must already be there because I have done just that Wade. I'm not any more in fear of my life downtown at night than I am anywhere else. So you'll have to come up with something else to measure downtown's success with.

andi

Aug 15 2008

That downtown route is one of the safer ones for her to take in this city. The idea that there is so much crime in downtown is a PERCEPTION. If you want the reality, do your research. Downtown is safer than its been in years. Hell, it's MUCH safer than where I live in Northeast Jackson.

kp

Aug 15 2008

Exactly! its not WHEN a woman will be safe walking alone downtown..Its when folks STOP THINKING its NOT safe for a woman to walk downtown alone... THATS what Im talking about...thanks Andi...eliminating excuses

Kamikaze

Aug 15 2008

Go, Andi and Kamikaze! The Truth is simply that downtown Jackson is "in"!!! It's rebirth is the cool thing to be involved in right now (and, hopefully, ad infinitum.) It is in our sights. It is the focus of our energy. It is hot!! I tend to believe, too, that everything that flourishes and grows healthier in downtown Jackson feeds and sustains the outlying areas of Jackson and the surrounding bedroom communities. I live in Jackson; but if I lived in Madison or Brandon or Pearl, or any other area close to Jackson, I would be praising the re-birth of downtown and linking arms with the progress in Jackson and everywhere in the metro area, for it would be progress for me, too. IT IS NOT EITHER/OR. IT IS BOTH/AND. On a related subject: We can never resolve problems by condemning them. Shame is the lowest form of energy! (Borrowed-Wayne Dwyer). So, Kamikaze, I salute your positive approach to Jackson's re-birth. And, the involvement of all who are grooming the Phoenix that is sticking its head out of the ground and stretching.

J.T.

Aug 15 2008

Don't get me wrong Andi. I have seen improvements myself. I have been telling everyone about how comfortable I feel on my bicycle coming and going to work\home. I just think when you can get the real money spenders to walk the streets and shop again like back in my dads days then the perceptions that we all know are not true anymore will go away. The first thing I hear out of many people that ask me about bicycle commuting is "aren't you afraid of getting shot?". That's the perception and that's thier reality. If is true or not. Hopefully that will change.

wade G.

Aug 15 2008

Well then you know that the perception is wrong! There is very little crime downtown. I think we will start to see more people coming downtown to spend money as more retail and restaurants begin to locate down there. I will admit that the only reason I've been downtown at night is either to go eat or attend a meeting like the Jackson Progressives, but if there were other things to see and do while I was there I'd be just fine perusing the stores and stuff. I long for those days too -- my grandmother's day -- when Capitol street was a bustling center of commerce and social interaction.

andi

Aug 15 2008

When I walked downtown for this piece I never once questioned whether or not I was safe. I believe (and hopefully not naively) that everytime I have and will go downtown that I have not been burdoned by the thoughts that I will be mugged, etc. I hope that never happens to anyone. I do live in Madison and I applaud the regentrification of the downtown area. I see progress in many different areas and hope we can continue the good work not only in downtown but other areas of Jackson as well. Andi (and everyone), have you been downtown to see the exhibit of HC Porter or the International Museum of Muslim Culture? They are both fascinating and I encourage you to check them out.

Sophie

Aug 15 2008

Sophie, thanks for your piece which opened the door for me to step in and speak to my delight at downtown Jackson's growth and my anticipation of this just being the Phoenix sticking its head out. My support of all that you, Kamikaze and Andi (Jackson Progressives), are doing to improve our city and our area. I am gonna meet you at Peaches one Wednesday. I promise. And, thanks, JFP, for pushing the envelope. And, creating opportunities for diversity within and without your paper.

J.T.

Aug 15 2008

While I don't condone women walking alone at night anywhere, I'm glad the ones that do have done so without fear. I'm overdue to spend a little time in downtown. I did so one day back in the spring and as I walked along the downtown streets taking in the sights, I felt a sense of pride about downtown and the city as a whole. Even with the empty and decaying storefronts along Capitol Street across from the King Edward, it didn't deter me one second from believing that the Bold New City of Soul is on the verge of making a major comeback. I even took notice of new businesses in downtown, such as the tattoo parlor on Capitol and a new restaurant on Pascagoula near Lamar. Stand back, this city is about to burst.

golden eagle

Aug 15 2008

I don't walk around anywhere alone at night for any length of time if I can help it...downtown isn't unique in that regard...but I'd feel a lot safer there than I would somewhere more isolated. And during the daytime, it's a no-brainer. I still remember how good it felt to walk from the Capitol to Basil's for lunch and back. As someone who doesn't drive, I found it pretty liberating to have a part of town where I could go wherever I wanted on foot without having to dodge traffic all the time. Oh, and let me hereby out myself as a member of the Sophie McNeil Fan Club. Damn good reporting on the Barbour stuff, and a good slice-of-life piece here. You've got a great career ahead of you!

Tom Head

Aug 16 2008

Well Golden youre invited to take a walk along Farish on a wednesday and come to lunch at Peaches or soon you will be hearing about JxnPro's Family Day in the Park at Smith Park on Sunday Sept. 21st..we're gonna be ''re-christsening'' Smith Park so to speak. Letting folks know downtown is a destination spot. We're gonna make Smith park the place for families to come on Sundays after that event...so spread the word Sept. 21st...

Kamikaze

Aug 16 2008

I can't make the Wednesday lunches, but I can make the Smith Park event and the event at the Clarion Hotel.

golden eagle

Aug 16 2008

I work downtown and if there were some residential property downtown for sale that I could afford, I would live there. I did live downtown last year, but it doesn't make sense for me to rent anymore, so I bought a house in Jackson. I eat downtown for lunch and am ready for some more nightlife downtown. Thank you Tye's for setting an example!

chip

Aug 19 2008

While I'm sure this story will be cited by downtown detractors and critics to argue that it's a dangerous place, it won't make me scared to walk downtown at lunchtime or in the evening hours.

Jeff Lucas

Aug 27 2008