Historical Marker

Nelson Street

Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Nelson Street was once the epicenter of African American business and entertainment in the Delta. Nightclubs, cafes, churches, groceries,fish markets, barbershops, laundries, record shops, and other enterprises did a bustling trade. Famous blues clubs on the street included the Casablanca, the Flowing Fountain, and the Playboy Club. Willie Love saluted the street in his 1951 recording “Nelson Street Blues.”

Whereas many Delta towns once “rolled up the sidewalks” in time for curfews, Greenville nurtured a flourishing nightlife, especially during the 1940s and ‘50s. Blues artists and audiences from throughout the area gravitated to the cafes, pool halls, and nightclubs of Nelson Street. The music ranged from raw Delta blues to big band jump bluesand jazz. Years before he became America’s top black recording artist, Louis Jordan joined localbandleader and music educator Winchester Davis for some performances here in 1928.

When down-home southern blues was at its commercial peak in the American rhythm andblues industry in the early 1950s, record companies headed for Nelson Street in search of talent. Leading lights on the local scene included Willie Love and Sonny Boy Williamson II, both of whom recorded for the Jackson-based Trumpet label. In 1952 Charlie Booker and others recorded for the rival Modem Records at the Casablanca, an upscale restaurant and lounge at 1102 Nelson, which advertised its services “For Colored Only.” In the midst of one session, the local sheriff ordered the recording stopped when artists contracted to Trumpet attempted to record for Modem. The resulting lawsuit made headlines in the national trade papers.

One of the Casablanca recordings, Charlie Booker’s “No Ridin’ Blues,” joined WillieLove’s “Nelson Street Blues” as a local anthem when Booker sang, “Greenville’s smokin’, Leland’s burnin’ down.” Booker, Love, and Little Milton Campbell were among the blues artists who had their own radio shows on WGVM or WJPR. Disc jockey Rocking Eddie Williams laterhad a record store on Nelson Street. Blues venues of the 1950s included Henry T’s Pool Room, the Silver Dollar Cafe and the Blue Note.

Nelson Street alumni include Oliver Sain,Eddie Shaw, J.W. “Big Moose” Walker, Burgess Gardner, Lil’ Bill Wallace, Roosevelt “Booba” Barnes, Willie Foster, T-Model Ford, John Horton, and Lil’ Dave Thompson, as well as Greenville’s first black policeman, guitarist Willie “Burl” Carson. The most successfulof them all, Little Milton, paid tribute to the Flowing Fountain, a Nelson Street show club,in his 1987 Malaco Records hit “AnnieMae’s Cafe.”

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.

Blues Trail
Mississippi has a long history of political and social conservatism, and the state has consistently voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections since the 1980s. However, the state also has a strong Democratic Party tradition, particularly among African American voters.
Mississippi random facts
Washington County, located in the western part of Mississippi, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1827. The area was originally occupied by the Native American Choctaw tribe, who were forced to cede their land through several treaties with the United States government in the early 19th century.

In the 1820s, significant numbers of white settlers began to arrive in the region, establishing plantations and cultivating cotton as the primary cash crop. The county's fertile soil and proximity to the Mississippi River made it ideal for large-scale agriculture, leading to the rise of a plantation-based economy that relied heavily on enslaved African American labor.

During the Civil War, Washington County played a significant role as a strategic location along the Mississippi River. The city of Greenville, the county seat, served as a Confederate supply depot and became a target for Union forces. The Battle of Greenville in 1864 resulted in the Union's control over the city, leading to the end of slavery and the decline of the plantation system.

In the years following the Civil War, Washington County experienced economic and social changes. Reconstruction brought increased political participation for African Americans, and many former slaves became landowners and entrepreneurs. However, the county also faced challenges including racial tensions, economic instability, and the impact of natural disasters such as the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

Today, Washington County continues to be an important agricultural region, with cotton, soybeans, and rice being major crops. The county also has a diverse cultural heritage, with a rich African American history and contributions to the blues music scene. While the challenges of the past still have an impact, Washington County remains a vital part of Mississippi's history and economy.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Washington County, Mississippi.

  • 1800: Washington County, Mississippi, was established.
  • 1827: Greenville, the county seat, was incorporated.
  • 1837: The Mississippi River flood devastated the county, causing significant damage.
  • 1844: The first county courthouse was built in Greenville.
  • 1871: Major flooding occurred along the Mississippi River, causing a significant loss of property and life.
  • 1892: The Mississippi Levee District was established to protect the county from flooding.
  • 1927: Another devastating flood occurred along the Mississippi River, causing widespread damage.
  • 1942: The United States Army Airfield, now known as the Mid-Delta Regional Airport, was constructed near Leland.
  • 1940s-1950s: The county experienced a decline in agricultural production due to mechanization and a decrease in labor demand.
  • 1960s: The Civil Rights Movement had a significant impact on Washington County, with several key events occurring in Greenville.
  • 1998: The Washington County Convention Center was opened in Greenville.
  • 2005: Hurricane Katrina caused some damage in Washington County, although it was not as severely affected as other coastal areas.