Historical Marker

Dorothy Shawhan

Marker installed: 2021
Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Dorothy Sample Shawhan, educator, leader, and writer, was born in

Tupelo in 1942 and grew up in Verona. She received degrees from Mississippi State College for Women, Louisiana State University, and

George Mason University. In 1981, she joined the faculty at Delta State University as an English and journalism professor and served as chair of the Division of Languages and Literature from 1991 to 2006.

She received many honors for excellence in teaching and writing, including Delta State's Kossman Teaching Award. Enlivened by a sense of humor and wild imagination, her stories could conjure up Faulkner's ghost or depict contemporary pilgrims telling tales on a trip to Memphis. In three carefully researched biographies, she retrieves the lives of lesser-known Mississippi women, and in her novel Lizzie she imagines the life of another. When Shawhan died in 2014, a former student said, “In her understated, thoughtful manner, she brought out the best in all of us."

The Mississippi Writers Trail is a program by the Mississippi Arts Commission. It pays tribute to the state’s most acclaimed and influential writers through a series of historical markers that recognize the importance of place in an author’s life while educating the public about the history and legacy of Mississippi writers. This statewide community improvement activity connects historical preservation, tourism and transportation. The cast aluminum markers, shaped like an open book inform travelers and highlight information about local authors including their birthplace, home, gravesite, museum, or literary locale. These markers will eventually span the entirety of the state from the Gulf Coast to the Hills. Mississippians such as Natasha Trethewey, Richard Wright, Eudora Welty, Walker Percy, Larry Brown, Jesmyn Ward, and many more will be honored with a Mississippi Writers Trail marker.

For more information visit arts.ms.gov.

Writers Trail
The Mississippi River, which forms the western border of the state, is the longest river in North America.
Mississippi random facts
Bolivar County, Mississippi, has a rich history that stretches back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Choctaw and Chickasaw, who thrived along the fertile Mississippi River Delta. European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, primarily French and Spanish explorers and traders. The territory changed hands several times, becoming part of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

The county was officially established in 1836 and named after South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar. Its location along the river made it an ideal location for plantations, leading to the rapid growth of the cotton industry and the rise of the antebellum plantation economy. Bolivar County became a major slave-holding area, with African Americans comprising a significant portion of the population.

During the Civil War, Bolivar County was caught in the crossfire between Union and Confederate forces, with several major battles and skirmishes taking place in the area. The war took a heavy toll on the region, leading to economic decline and social unrest. Reconstruction brought about some changes, including the establishment of schools for African Americans.

In the 20th century, Bolivar County continued to develop agriculturally, with cotton remaining a dominant crop. The county also saw significant social and political changes, including the implementation of Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movement. Today, Bolivar County remains an important agricultural region, but also faces challenges such as poverty and racial disparities. The county's rich history is celebrated and remembered through various historical sites, museums, and community events.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bolivar County, Mississippi.

  • 1836: Bolivar County is created and named after Simón Bolívar, the South American freedom fighter.
  • 1844: The county seat is established in the town of Bolivarville, which later changes its name to Cleveland.
  • 1858: The Mississippi Delta Agricultural Experiment Station is established in Lula, contributing to the region's agricultural development.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Bolivar County begins the process of rebuilding and recovering.
  • 1875: The county's first railroad, the Mississippi Valley Railroad, is completed, connecting Bolivar County to other parts of Mississippi.
  • 1890s: The county experiences significant economic growth due to cotton production and the expansion of the railroad network.
  • 1920s: Bolivar County becomes a major center for the blues, with influential musicians like Charley Patton and W.C. Handy performing in the area.
  • 1955: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy, is brutally murdered in Money, Bolivar County, becoming a significant catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.
  • 1969: Parchman Farm, the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary, closes in Bolivar County.
  • 1980s: Bolivar County experiences economic decline due to changes in the agricultural industry and population shifts.
  • 1994: The Grammy Museum Mississippi opens in Cleveland, celebrating the cultural heritage of the region.