Hickory Street (The Hollow)
Hickory Street, known locally as “The Hollow,” was a hub of social life, commerce, and entertainment for the African American community of central Mississippi for several decades, up through the 1970s. Canton’s most famous blues musician, Elmore James, performed often in the local cafes and clubs. James also learned the electronics trade by working at Robert’s Radio Repair on Hickory Street. His experiments with sound technology led him to develop a powerful and original electric blues style.
Hickory Street was once one of several centers of blues activity around Canton. Blues performers including Elmore James, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson II appeared at venues such as Bessie’s Hideaway and the Star Lite Café on Hickory Street, Club Delece on Franklin Street, Club Desire on Union Street, and the Blue Garden on Liberty Street, as well as at grocery stores and outdoors on the streets. East of town, the Sawmill Quarters, where employees of the Denkmann Lumber Company lived in shotgun houses, was another hot spot for blues. In rural Madison County, string bands and guitarists played at country suppers and dances; renowned local performers included guitarist William “Do-Boy” Diamond and fiddler Theodore Harris. Guitarist K.C. Douglas, from Sharon, north of Canton, recalled that Harris drew such crowds that when he played in town the streets had to be blocked off.
A prominent performer in the 1920s and ’30s, at the sawmill and at various nightspots in Canton, was Little Brother Montgomery, one of the foremost blues pianists of the era. Montgomery once shared piano duties at the sawmill camp with Sunnyland Slim, and also traveled with a Canton-based jazz group, Eugene Watts’s Serenaders. The Montgomery family later moved to Canton to work for the lumber company.The family included pianists Joe and Tollie Montgomery and nephew Paul Gayten (later a major New Orleans R&B bandleader).Elmore James became a popular act with the sawmill crowd in the early 1950s, when he lived and worked in Canton with guitarist Robert Earl Holston, owner of Robert’s Radio Repair at 153 Hickory Street. Holston helped James devise ways to amplify his guitar, which he playedwith a slide (a steel tube) on his finger. Jamesdid some of his first recordings at Club Desire. His influential records made him a model for slide guitarists around the world, famed fora distinctive sound that came to fruition herein Canton.
Hickory Street’s blues tradition has been celebrated in more recent years by the Hickory Street Festival, which began in the 1980s, and by guitarist Jessie Primer, Jr., on his 2002 CD Dancin’ On Hickory Street (The Hollow). Canton has also been home to blues recording artists Johnnie Temple, John Lee Henley, and Grady Champion, as well as jazz saxophonist Jessie Primer III, Louisiana slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, Nashville studio guitarist Bucky Barrett, and gospel singers Cleophus Robinson, Sister Thea Bowman, and the Canton Spirituals
The Mississippi Blues Trail markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches. We have a lot to share, and it’s just down the Mississippi Blues Trail.
The Mississippi Blues Trail is an ongoing project of the Mississippi Blues Commission. Funding for this project has been made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, AT&T, and the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University plus additional support from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division.
For more information visit msbluestrail.org.
The state bird of Mississippi is the Northern Mockingbird, and the state flower is the Magnolia.
In its early years, Madison County relied heavily on agriculture, with cotton and corn being the primary crops. The introduction of steamboats on the nearby Pearl River in the 1830s further facilitated trade and economic growth. As a result, numerous plantations were established, worked by enslaved African Americans.
During the American Civil War, Madison County faced significant hardships. The Battle of Raymond in 1863 was a key engagement in the Vicksburg Campaign. The county changed hands several times between Confederate and Union forces, causing destruction to both infrastructure and agriculture.
The post-war era brought changes to Madison County, as the economy shifted away from agriculture towards industry and commerce. The development of railroads in the late 1800s contributed to the growth of towns such as Canton and Madison. Over time, the county saw the establishment of businesses, schools, and other institutions, providing new opportunities for its residents.
Today, Madison County continues to experience growth and development. With a mix of rural, suburban, and urban areas, it has become an attractive place to live for those seeking a balance between small-town charm and proximity to the city of Jackson. The county holds a rich history and diverse community, while also embracing modern advancements and innovations.
Madison County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Madison County, Mississippi.
- Madison County is established in 1828 as one of the original counties in Mississippi.
- During the 1830s, Madison County experiences a significant influx of settlers, mainly from Virginia and the Carolinas.
- In 1853, the Mississippi Central Railroad is completed, passing through Madison County and fueling economic growth.
- Madison County plays a crucial role during the Civil War, with various battles and skirmishes taking place in the area.
- In the late 19th century, Madison County sees the rise of agriculture, particularly cotton and dairy farming.
- The early 20th century brings advancements in education, with multiple schools and colleges established in Madison County.
- During the mid-20th century, Madison County experiences suburbanization and population growth, largely due to its proximity to the capital city of Jackson.
- In recent years, Madison County has continued to experience suburban development, while also preserving its historical sites and promoting economic diversity.