Historical Marker

Walker Percy

Historical marker location:
323 Main St., Greenville, Mississippi
( In front of the E.E. Bass Cultural Center.)
Marker installed: 2019
Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Walker Percy was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1916, orphaned in late childhood, and adopted at age thirteen by kinsman William Alexander Percy, a poet and patron of the arts from Greenville, Mississippi. After acquiring an MD degree from Columbia University, Walker Percy contracted tuberculosis. While convalescing he read the works of Kierkegaard and other existentialist philosophers, whose influence caused him to change course. He gave up medicine, married Mary Townsend, converted to Catholicism, and became a writer. His first published novel, The Moviegoer, won the 1962 National Book Award. In a gently ironic voice, Percy satirizes American life through characters who struggle to find meaning to their existence. His six novels, two non-fiction books, and numerous scientific and philosophical essays further explore his ideas and assure him a firm place in American literature. He died May 10, 1990, in Covington, Louisiana

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 played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the most important events of the movement, including the Freedom Rides and the March Against Fear, took place in Mississippi.
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.