The River, Civil rights, and Plantations are a few things we instantly correlate with the state of Mississippi, but besides these, what is Mississippi known for?
Located in the Southeastern USA region, Mississippi borders four states: Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the East, Louisiana to the Southwest, and Arkansas to the Northwest. The Gulf of Mexico bathes it in the south, and the Mississippi River marks its western border. In 1817, it was the 20th state to enter the union after approval of the US Congress.
Mississippi was nicknamed the Magnolia State because of its vast magnolia trees and flowers. It is only the 32nd-largest and 35th-most populous state in the union. The capital and biggest city is Jackson.
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15 Things Mississippi is Known for
The River
The first thing people associate with Mississippi State is obviously the Mississippi River. The River is so important to the state that it gave its name to the state. But it is much more than that; it also played (and plays) a significant influence on the culture and history of the region.
Stretching for about 2 320 miles, it flows generally south from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered the second-longest river in North America and the main river with the second-largest drainage system on the continent.
The Mississippi either borders or passes through 10 American states, but its many tributaries drain from 32 states and two Canadian provinces. The River was also the main western boundary of the USA in the 18th century, and ever since, it became the convenient line dividing the western from the Eastern USA.
However, the Mississippi’s significance goes far beyond being a vast waterway, it is the lifeblood of the region and the state. It holds cultural and recreational value for the people of Mississippi, and it is one of the most significant sources of income of the Mississippi state, supporting its agricultural sector.
Steamboats
Another thing people usually associate with Mississippi is the steamboats. They played a major role in the development of the Mississippi region, allowing large-scale transportation of people and cargo.
They were a common sight in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but their use declined with the construction of railways and highways. Nevertheless, they are still used today mostly for reenactments and tourist excursions.
Steamboats are iconic to the Mississippi River and state, and it was immortalized in literature, art, music, and literature, particularly in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Consequently, their legacy is still celebrated today.
Catfish
You may be wondering what Mississippi is famous for producing? Catfish is among the most common answers, as more than 90% of all USA’s farm-raised catfish comes from Mississippi, and Fried Catfish is one of the state’s delicacies.
Southerners have been catching and eating catfish since ever as they are found in every body of water in the state, including ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers, including the Mississippi.
During the twentieth century, catfish farming has become a significant agricultural activity in Mississippi, particularly in the Mississippi Delta region. The state is home to numerous farms, ranging from small family-owned businesses to large-scale operations.
Overall, the state produces millions of pounds of catfish yearly. Furthermore, they are renowned for their quality and taste and have become one of the main ingredients in southern cuisine, including dishes like fried catfish, catfish stew, and catfish gumbo.
Overall, catfish is an important and iconic aspect of Mississippi’s agricultural and culinary identity, and it remains a beloved part of the state’s culture and heritage.
Southern food
The culinary traditions of Mississippi are deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage and influences. African, European, and Native American food influences led to the state’s unique gastronomic legacy and distinctive dishes.
The fertile land and abundant water provided the ingredients, and the people’s ingenuity and love for comfort food and hospitality did the rest. Today, visitors come to experience the flavors of authentic southern food in the state’s diners, restaurants, and other eateries.
Mississippi is a prominent hub of southern cuisine, and some of its most popular dishes include:
- Fried chicken
- Gumbo
- Cornbread
- Biscuits and gravy
- Grits
- Collard Greens
- Catfish (in several ways, as mentioned above)
- Mississippi BBQ
- Pecan Pie
Magnolias
Due to the profusion of Magnolia trees, Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State. Furthermore, The magnolia is the state flower, and the Magnolia tree is also the state tree. Plus, since 2021, the magnolia flower also appears in the center of the new Mississippi flag.
The magnolia tree is native to the southeastern United States and an iconic part of Mississippi’s natural beauty. This tree is famous for its large, fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves. Plus, its flower is regarded as a symbol of hospitality, beauty, and strength—all excellent qualities to associate with the state.
There are more than 200 species of magnolias, but only about half are native to Mississippi. They are evergreen or deciduous, trees or bush-like, but they are always characterized by large fragrant flowers with various colors ranging between white, pink, green, yellow, or even purple.
Cherished by their iconic and elegant appearance and sweet fragrance, Magnolias became a symbol of southern charm and hospitality and, consequently, of Mississippi.
Cotton
We have talked about how Mississippi is known for producing catfish, but cotton is probably a much more famous state product.
Historically, Mississippi has been a significant cotton producer since the late 18th century, particularly before the Civil War and into the late 19th century.
The fertile soils and favorable climate made it a great region to grow cotton, and it quickly became a cash crop for the region, playing a substantial role in the state’s economy and history. It was even called the “white gold.” As cotton cultivation was labor-intensive, it also relied on slave labor.
With the abolition of slavery, cotton became less crucial for the economy, but it still remained an essential product in the state industry. There are almost 800 cotton farms, producing 1.1 million bales per year, with a value of more than 600 million USD.
Plantations and antebellum mansions
Mississippi has a rich history, particularly related to the plantations, slavery, and the pre-civil War culture. One of the best ways to understand this period and what happened is by visiting the many plantations and pre-civil war mansions.
These historic buildings have become popular tourist attractions and landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the antebellum reality, including some fascinating architecture, lifestyle, and culture of the 19th-century South.
Some of the most popular and well-known mansions and plantations include:
- Beauvoir – last home of Jefferson Davis;
- Windsor Ruins – remains of a grand mansion destroyed by fire;
- Stanton Hall – famous for its huge size
- Longwood – an octagonal mansion that was never finished due to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Civil rights history
Mississippi was one of the most significant settings in the civil rights movement, playing a pivotal and often turbulent role during the 1950s and 1960s.
The early struggle for racial equality had multiple demonstrations, protests, and acts of resistance with different levels of violence in Mississippi, some of which became very famous.
The Mississippi movement was extraordinarily active, becoming one of the epicenters of national efforts to demand legal equality, voting rights, and an end to racial segregation. However, it was also one of the most challenging battlegrounds for activists as it suffered from ingrained racial segregation and resistance to civil rights reforms.
The timeline of the civil rights in Mississippi is long, but some of the most relevant include:
- Mississippi Freedom Summer (1964)
- Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP)
- Ole Miss Riot (1962)
- Freedom Rides
- Emmett Till Case (1955)
The activism and sacrifices made eventually led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting).
Blues Music
Mississippi is renowned for its influence in developing the Blues Music genre, producing multiple legendary musicians who left a mark on the genre and American music, including Robert Johnson, BB King, and Muddy Waters.
Originating in the southern states after the Civil War, the blues genre emerged from the African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is famous for soulful vocals, lyrics, and distinctive music style featuring guitars and harmonicas, among other instruments.
The blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the African-American culture. It was also influenced by ragtime, church music, and even popular music of the white population.
Moreover, the musical heritage of Mississippi goes far beyond the blues, as the state also had huge contributions to soul, gospel, and country music.
Southern Charm and hospitality
Mississippi is well regarded as one of the most charming and welcoming states in the USA. Locals are known to be kind, generous, and welcoming while also taking pride in their culture and heritage. Plus, they love to share it with others.
This cultural trait is found in many southern states, including Mississippi. It includes their genuine kindness and warmth deeply rooted in the state’s social fabric. Some of the most popular attributes include:
- warm greetings
- sense of community
- good Manners
- helping strangers
- generosity
- inviting others to their homes.
Barq’s Root Beer
Barq’s root beer is one of Mississippi’s most famous and beloved brands. Created by Edward Barq, it was introduced in 1898 in Biloxi, Mississippi, making it one of the oldest and most iconic soft drinks in the United States.
Barq’s root beer is popular because of its distinctive taste. Barq’s uses caffeine, giving it a bold and zesty flavor profile setting it apart from other root beer brands. It is also said to use sarsaparilla and less sugar than other brands, giving it the little bite that its fans adore.
Although today, the brand is owned by Coca-Cola, it is still regarded as a Mississippi brand.
Conservative state
Mississippi is widely known in the USA for being one of the most conservative states and a stronghold of the republican party.
Conservative values play a decisive role in Mississippi’s society and policy, which include traditional family values, pro-life policies, support of Second Amendment rights, and limited government. This conservative stance also manifests in debates over same-sex marriage, LGBT rights, and even sex education in school.
Religion also plays an important role and influence in society as a large portion of the population is deeply religious (mostly Protestant, particularly Baptist and Methodist), influencing their values, social attitudes, and worldviews.
Although the conservative and religious importance in Mississippi is clear, we have to mention that (as in anywhere else) the population is diverse, and there’s a wide range of opinions and stances among the people of Mississippi.
Low income
One of the unfortunate things Mississippi is famous for is being the poorest state in the USA. In 2021, Mississippi had a GDP per capita of only $47,190 in 2022 and an average household income of $48 716. Comparably, New York is the richest, with a nominal GDP per capita of $104,344. That’s more than double.
With a poverty rate of about 18% (according to the US Census Bureau), Mississippi is also the state with the highest poverty rate, followed by Louisiana and New Mexico.
Mississippi has a long history of economic challenges and poverty. The reasons for this bad record go back to the pre-civil war slave-based agriculture economy, mainly cotton. Even after the abolition, the state continued to rely on agriculture, perpetuating an agricultural economy with little diversification.
Low educational attainment, healthcare disparities, limited infrastructure and investment, and racial inequality all contributed to the low income in Mississippi.
Famous People
Numerous famous people were born in Mississippi. Many of them are proud Mississippians and spread the attributes of the state throughout America and the world.
Some of the most famous people from Mississippi include:
- Elvis Presley
- BB King
- Oprah Winfrey
- Jimmy Buffet
- Britney Spears
- Brett Favre
- William Faulkner
Fun facts and records
What is Mississippi known for? Many extraordinary things, as shown above, but it is also home to some fun facts, curiosities, and fascinating records – many are pretty well-known. Let’s explore a few of our favorites:
- The state was obviously named after the Mississippi River. But did you know that the name comes from the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian word “misi-ziibi,” meaning “great river.”
- The first Coca-Cola was bottled in 1894 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
- The first human lung transplant was performed by Dr. James Hardy of the University of Mississippi in 1963
- President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a hunting expedition near Onward in November of 1902. This incident inspired a Brooklyn candy shop owner to create a stuffed “Teddy Bear.”
- Greenwood is called the Cotton Capital of the World, while Belzoni is known as the Catfish Capital of the World.
- Thank God for Mississippi is a rather demeaning expression used by people from other states since Mississippi’s presence in the 50th state in many rankings spares them the shame of being the last.
- Mississippi was the second state to secede in 1861 and join the Confederacy. The first was South Carolina.
- Up until 2020, Mississippi still had its old Confederate flag.
- Mississippi has 30 state-regulated casinos. Plus, four casinos are operated by the Choctaw Indians.
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* Cover photo by sepavone via Depositphotos
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