Historical Marker

Eudora Welty

Historical marker location:
1119 Pinehurst St., Jackson, Mississippi
( First marker on Mississippi Writers Trail.)
Marker installed: 2018
Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the French Legion of Honor, Eudora Welty typically drew upon her native state for the settings of her fiction, Mississippi's hill country, its Natchez Trace and Delta, Welty's hometown of Jackson, and neighboring landscapes become emblematic and realistic sites in works such as A Curtain of Green, The Wide Net, Delta Wedding, The Golden Apples, The Optimist's Daughter, and Losing Battles. These story collections and novels have been translated worldwide.

They proclaim that, to use Welty's words, "One place comprehended can make us understand other places better." Her

photographs of Mississippi locales need no translation and have won high regard in this country and abroad. As both writer and photographer, Eudora Welty is an international treasure

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
Mississippi is also known for its literary history. Several Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams, hailed from the state.
Mississippi random facts
Hinds County, Mississippi, has a rich history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw, who relied on the fertile land for hunting and farming. European explorers arrived in the region in the 16th century, with the Spanish establishing a presence in the area. However, it was not until the early 19th century that Hinds County began to take shape as a permanent settlement.

In 1821, Hinds County was created as one of the original counties in the newly formed state of Mississippi. The county was named after Thomas Hinds, a prominent Mississippi pioneer and early political figure. The county seat, Jackson, was established shortly thereafter and quickly became a center of government, commerce, and industry. The presence of the Pearl River provided opportunities for transportation, further contributing to the growth and development of Hinds County.

During the antebellum period, Hinds County played a significant role in the cotton industry of the Deep South. The county's vast plantations relied heavily on enslaved labor, with African Americans making up a substantial portion of the population. This history of slavery and the agricultural economy would leave a lasting impact on the culture and demographics of the county for generations to come.

Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, Hinds County experienced periods of social and political turbulence. The county became a center of Civil Rights activism during the 20th century, with notable figures like Medgar Evers, a civil rights leader, making significant contributions to the movement. Today, Hinds County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a blend of historical landmarks and modern developments that reflect its varied past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hinds County, Mississippi.

  • 1821 - Hinds County is established as one of the original counties in Mississippi.
  • 1832 - The city of Jackson becomes the county seat of Hinds County.
  • 1863 - During the American Civil War, Hinds County is occupied by Union forces.
  • 1875 - The Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, is established in Hinds County.
  • 1960s - Hinds County becomes a major center for the civil rights movement in Mississippi.
  • 2010 - Hinds County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.