Historical Marker

Elizabeth Spencer

Historical marker location:
601 E. Jackson St., Carrollton, Mississippi
( By the Merrill Museum.)
Marker installed: 2019
Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Born in Carrollton in 1921, Elizabeth Spencer aspired to be a writer early on. After receiving encouragement from writer Eudora Welty, whom she met while attending Belhaven College in Jackson, Spencer obtained a master's degree from Vanderbilt University and began a long

career of teaching and writing award-winning fiction. Despite its graphic depiction of racial strife, her third novel, The Voice at the Back Door, set in Mississippi, was well received.

Although she would continue "to draw on Southern sources of family and history," she was no longer tied to them and chose to set her next work, The Light in the

Piazza, in Italy. It became a popular movie and a highly acclaimed musical and opera. Yet her enduring fondness for her native Carrollton is evident in her 1998 memoir, Landscapes of the Heart.

Spencer's works are collected in the distinguished Library of America Series

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 name "Mississippi" comes from the Ojibwe word "misi-ziibi," which means "Great River."
Mississippi random facts
Carroll County, Mississippi has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The county was established on February 3, 1833, with Carrollton as its county seat. Named after Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Carroll County played a significant role in the agricultural development of the Mississippi Delta region.

During the antebellum era, Carroll County's economy mainly relied on cotton production and slavery. The county saw a significant increase in cotton plantations, attracting wealthy landowners who constructed stately mansions and brought enslaved people to work in the fields. However, the county also had a small number of free African Americans who owned property and operated businesses.

The Civil War had a profound impact on Carroll County, with many of its young men enlisting in the Confederate Army. The county experienced battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Carrollton, which took place on October 10, 1863. Union cavalry forces attacked the town but were ultimately repelled. Following the war, Carroll County faced the challenges of Reconstruction, with the abolition of slavery and the restructuring of political and social systems.

Throughout the 20th century, Carroll County, like many rural areas, faced economic difficulties. The agricultural sector shifted from cotton to other crops, such as soybeans and corn. The county also saw a decline in population due to outmigration to urban areas, leading to a decline in services and infrastructure.

In recent years, Carroll County has focused on revitalizing its economy and preserving its historical heritage. Efforts have been made to promote tourism, highlighting the county's historical sites, including its antebellum homes and the Carroll County Courthouse. The community has also embraced cultural events and festivals to celebrate its diverse heritage, attracting visitors and promoting local businesses.

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

  • 1833 - Carroll County was established on December 23
  • 1835 - The first courthouse was built in Carrollton
  • 1847 - The Mississippi Central Railroad was completed, boosting the county's economy
  • 1861 - Carroll County residents voted in favor of secession from the Union during the Civil War
  • 1873 - The town of Vaiden was incorporated
  • 1939 - The Carroll County Courthouse in Carrollton was destroyed by a fire
  • 2010 - The county's population reached its peak at over 10,500 residents
  • 2017 - A tornado struck the town of Vaiden, causing significant damage