Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi, offers delightful local shopping and classic Southern eats
Illustration by Debora Islas
Perched high on a bluff with sweeping views of the Mississippi River sits Vicksburg. That very bluff is what made the city so challenging for the Union to capture during the 47-day Civil War battle of the same name. Today, Vicksburg’s rich history is always on display as stately Greek Revival mansions sit alongside colorful shotgun homes. A stroll down Washington Street reveals charming boutiques and restaurants housed in original brick buildings. Vicksburg is a town that makes the most of its nooks and crannies with plenty to discover for history buffs and small-town enthusiasts alike.
Inn Style
Anchuca Historic Mansion & Inn makes a stunning first impression with its classical columns and sunny hue. The 1830s guest rooms hearken to an era of elegance and lavish decor, while a separate inn on the property offers modern accommodations. Each morning for breakfast, guests are treated to specialties such as warm banana bread and crispy bacon.
Icing on the Cake
Walnut Hills Restaurant attracts both locals and visitors with warm hospitality and Southern favorites. At lunch, the 1880s home fills with light, and guests feast on classics like fried chicken and blackened catfish. Saving room for an oversized piece of house-made strawberry crunch cake is mandatory.
Pop of Fun
Fun fact: Coca-Cola was first bottled in Vicksburg at the Biedenharn Candy Company. The family preserved the building’s legacy by turning it into the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum and furnishing it with Coke collectibles, including vintage trays spanning decades. On the way out, top off your visit with a Coke float.
Think Small
At the foot of the hill in a restored train depot, the Old Depot Museum contains hundreds of tiny but mighty treasures. The impressive collection includes model trains running over bridges and through diminutive villages, model ships, toy cars, and a replica of the Vicksburg battlefield.
Hit the Books
Inside locally owned Lorelei Books, a petite shop made even cozier with brick walls and reading alcoves, awaits a well-curated selection of new titles for adults and children. There’s a sizable selection of Civil War and Mississippi history books for those hoping to continue their education beyond the trip.
Dinner and a Show
Spectacular sunsets over the Mississippi River are part of the experience at 10 South Rooftop, which serves up Creole-influenced pub fare. Standouts include dirty rice fritters with comeback sauce and redfish with mashed potatoes, crawfish, and green-onion butter.
Artsy Enclave
Tucked in an upstairs location above Washington Street, Attic Gallery—the state’s oldest independent gallery—proudly displays work by Mississippi folk artists. Every inch of the store is covered in pieces inspired by the region, whether it’s colorful chickens, whimsical portraits, or earthy pottery.
This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue of Southbound.
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Mississippi
Thompson defeats Turnage to highlight U.S. House primaries in Mississippi – SuperTalk Mississippi
Political newcomer and Capitol Hill attorney Evan Turnage proved no match for longtime U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who defeated him and one other challenger to earn the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.
Some politicos thought Turnage – who went to Yale and later worked for some of Thompson’s Democratic colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) – wouldn’t necessarily win but could make waves as one of the more viable candidates to challenge Thompson in recent years. However, that wasn’t the case as Thompson garnered approximately 85% of the vote when the race was called.
Thompson, 78, is seeking an 18th term. The civil rights leader who chaired the Jan. 6 Committee was first elected in 1993 and serves as a ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee. He will face either Ron Eller or Kevin Wilson on the Republican side, a race yet to be called as of late Tuesday night, and independent Bennie Foster in November’s general.
All of Mississippi’s U.S. House seats are up for grabs this year.
In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Trent Kelly ran unopposed, while civil rights attorney and University of Mississippi School of Law professor Cliff Johnson beat former state lawmaker Kelvin Buck in the Democratic primary. Libertarian challenger Johnny Baucom awaits Kelly and Johnson in the general.
In the 3rd Congressional District, both Republican Rep. Michael Guest and Democrat Michael Chiaradio ran unopposed. They will meet Libertarian Erik Kiehle in the general.
In the 4th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell had over 80% of the vote when his race was called against former Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officer and political staffer Sawyer Walters. State Rep. Jeffrey Hulum easily won the Democratic nomination over Paul Blackman and D. Ryan Grover. Ezell and Hulum will face independent Carl Boyanton in the general.
Arguably the most watched races of the night occurred in the state’s lone U.S. Senate seat in this year’s cycle. Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith had no problem with Ocean Springs doctor Sarah Adlakha, seeing her name bolded around 30 minutes after the polls closed. It wasn’t long after that when Lowndes County District Attorney Scott Colom was announced the winner of the Democratic primary over Priscilla Till and Albert Littell. Independent Ty Pinkins will meet Hyde-Smith and Colom in the general on Nov. 3.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mississippi
Mississippi First Congressional District Primary 2026: Live Election Results, Buck vs. Johnson
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Staff
Sunday, March 15, 2026
1. (tie) “The Irish Goodbye,” Beth Ann Fennelly, Norton; and “Vigil,” George Saunders, Random House
2. “Theo of Golden,” Allen Levi, Atria Books
3. “The Widow,” John Grisham, Doubleday
4. “The Correspondent,” Virginia Evans, Random House
5. “When It’s Darkness on the Delta,” W. Ralph Eubanks, Beacon Press
6. “Eradication,” Jonathan Miles, Doubleday
7. “Neptune’s Fortune,” Julian Sancton, Random House
8. “The Dean,” Sparky Reardon, The Nautilus Publishing Company
9. “Kin,” Tayari Jones, Random House
10. “Brawler,” Lauren Groff, Riverhead
Children and young adults
1. “The Bear and the Hair and the Fair,” Em Lynas, Little Brown
2. “The Hybrid Prince,” Tui T. Sutherland, Scholastic Press
3. “One Mississippi,” Steve Azar,Sarah Frances Hardy (Illustrator), The Nautilus Publishing
4. “If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone,” Gideon Sterer, HarperCollins
5. (tie) “Fancy Nancy: Besties for Eternity,” Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator), HarperCollins; and “The Dark is For,” Jane Kohuth, Simon and Schuster
Adult events (Sunday, March 15–Saturday, March 21)
Amy McDowell in conversation with Jodi Skipper for “Whispers in the Pews,” 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2262
Tayari Jones on Thacker Mountain Radio Hour for “Kin,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2262
Children’s events (Sunday, March 15–Saturday, March 21)
No Cap Book Club (kids 10-13) will be reading “A Kid’s Book About…,” 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Storytime, “Clifford: Dream Big,” 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Chapter Captains Book Club (kids 6-9) will be reading “Princess in Black: Bathtime Battle,” 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Storytime, “What a Small Cat Needs,” 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Square Books Jr., 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford, 662-236-2207
Story Time, “Very Hungry Caterpillar” Day! 10 a.m. Saturday, Lemuria Books, 202 Banner Hall, 4465 I-55 North, Jackson, 601-366-7619
— Sales and/or Events Reported by Lemuria Books (Jackson); Lorelei Books (Vicksburg); Square Books (Oxford).
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