Solve the Mystery

In each issue of Mississippi Farm Country is a Mystery Photo. Everyone who solves the mystery will have his or her name entered into a drawing for a weekend getaway at a Mississippi Bed and Breakfast Inn sponsored by Farm Bureau. When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomly draw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and have their entry placed in the hat twice for the drawing at the end of the year. This procedure is to accomodate members who receive their magazine at a later date than others. Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff members or their families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Good luck!

Answer the question correctly and you will qualify for the random drawing that determines our top twenty winners. You will also qualify for the bed and breakfast drawing at the end of the year.

This month's mystery

Jones County has two seats of government. One is Ellisville and the other is our mystery city. This city is named for a plant with a beautiful bloom that was growing abundantly and wildly when pioneers settled here in 1882. Read the clues and make your guess.

Name this town.

Here are your clues from the magazine:

Our mystery city grew up around the railroad. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a hub of activity as pine trees were logged and milled in the Pine Belt and transported to other areas of the state and nation. This city still has an historic operating train depot. The Lindsey Eight-Wheel Log Wagon was built in this city. A mural featuring the wagon by famed artist Mildred Wolfe and dating back to the Works Progress Administration (early 1900s) hangs in the depot.

Our mystery city is home to numerous historic homes and churches. The Gardiner family of New York was particularly instrumental in creating the culture in this city. The Central Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts many early 20th century architectural styles, including Classical and Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Bungalow and Craftsman. The gorgeous landscaping is part of American master architect Fredrick Law Olmstead’s 1909 city plan.
The historic area of this city has several large parks: Gardiner Park, Daphne Park, Mason Park, Euclid Park and a tiny one known as the Little Park. Gardiner Park was designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers firm. Their father designed Central Park in New York City.

Our mystery city once boasted a street car with tracks that ran across the downtown area. The streetcar is no more, but brick streets remain in some downtown areas.

Our mystery city was important to the blues industry, and a blues marker can be found in a downtown park that is shaped like a guitar. Important blues musicians from this city include Sam Myers, Albennie Jones and Blind Roosevelt Graves. Record producer Johnny Vincent also called this city home

This city is home to great schools and award-winning high school athletic programs. One of the only all-brick high school stadiums in the state is located here. Also, Blair Field was Mississippi’s first lighted high school athletic field in 1929.

This city has a fantastic high school gospel choir and an award-winning high school culinary arts program.

The city is located near Jones County Junior College in nearby Ellisville.

Our mystery city is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The city also has an active Little Theatre that is located in a former movie theater called the Arabian. The Arabian was once a part of the historic and grand Hotel Pinehurst, which was torn down in 1988. A park was built where the hotel once stood.

The city recently built a beautiful new 145-acre sportsplex. In addition, the area surrounding the city offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

This city has a population of about 18,800 residents. Major employers include Sanderson Farms, Masonite, South Central Regional Medical Center, Howard Industries, and Wayne Farms. The city is home to Laurel Oil, Brandon Petroleum, Petro Harvester Oil and Gas and Denbury. There are many active wells in the city .

Melvin Mack serves as the city’s first African-American mayor. Mayor Mack, who is a Jones County Farm Bureau member, has worked to upgrade the infrastructure of the town and revitalize the downtown area. Downtown businesses work with the Main Street program to encourage more businesses to locate there.

Downtown, you will also notice banners paying tribute to the famous artists who call this city home. The banners have a theme of “Honoring Heritage, Expecting Greatness.” Famous people from this city include opera singer Leontyne Price, actor Tom Lester of Green Acres fame, actress Parker Posey, Olympian Ralph Boston, actor Ray Walston of “My Favorite Martian” fame, and author and minister James Street.

The relatively low cost of living attracts a good mix of people, including retirees and young families. The residents of this city are close and work together for the good of the community. Some special events held each year include the Loblolly Festival, Chili Cook-off, Blues Bash, and Christmas Parade.

This city is a certified retirement community, one of only 21 in the state. It became Mississippi’s first Tree City USA.

Name this town.

To enter the contest:

Write your answer on a piece of paper and include your name, address and phone number. Send your entry to:


Solve the Mystery Contest
Attn: Glynda Phillips, Editor
P. O. Box 1972
Jackson, MS 39215-1972

Or you may e-mail your entry to farmcountry@msfb.org.

Deadline for entries is May 30.