Historic battlefields and sites dot the landscape in Corinth, Miss., and an annual event that includes 12,000 luminaries being placed throughout the town make it a perfect destination for Civil War buffs.
Began as 1854 as the Cross City, Corinth’s proximity to the Tennessee River and the railroads, made it of great strategic value during the Civil War. Corinth, located at the junction of the Memphis, Charleston and Mobile Ohio railroads, was recognized as being of such strategic importance that the area was occupied by one or other of the forces from 1861 to 1865.
Begin your journey into discovering the Civil War history of the area with stops at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and the Crossroads Museum in the historic Corinth Depot. You will find lots of information in the displays, videos and memorabilia in these two museums.
The interpretive center is located near the site of Battery Robinett, an earthen redoubt which was a key position in the fighting on Oct. 4, 1862. Be sure to check out the interpretive courtyard water display.
Each November, the Grand Illumination is held and 12,000 luminaries are placed throughout Corinth, including hundreds at the interpretive center. Other events are planned at the center during this event, including a camp of the 43rd Mississippi Camel Corps Re-enactors and a one man civil war play. Both provide a deep insight into the Civil War at Corinth.
Corinth also has a Civil War trail that can be driven. Pick up a brochure at the convention and visitor’s bureau, located at 215 North Fillmore Street, and follow along as you uncover the history of the area.
The driving tour covers the Seige of Corinth, which occurred April 29-May 30, 1862, after the Battle at Shiloh, as well as the Battle of Corinth, which occurred Oct. 3-4, 1862. Other historic events and sites are also covered along the driving tour.
Among the stops are examples of Civil War earthworks. Evidence of battles in these earthworks remain the best preserved in the nation and are recognized as national historic landmarks. One example of the earthworks can be found at Battery F, located on Davis Street, where during the summer of 1862, Union forces constructed two acres of batteries surrounding Corinth from the southeast to the northwest.
Another stop on the driving tour is the Corinth Contraband Camp, the site of a camp established for runaway slaves. As many as 6,000 people were thought to have resided here. Bronze figures depict the lives of the people who were at the camps.
While it’s not listed on the driving tour brochure as a stop, you will want to spend some time at C&D Jarnagin Company, a reenactment outfitters. This is just one of the unique shopping experiences to be found. Corinth has a wonderful downtown with an art gallery, quaint restaurants and other shopping opportunities.
MORE HISTORY
Other historic sites to visit in the Corinth area include:
•the Battle of Davis Bridge located on the Hatchie River in McNairy County.
•the Battle of Iuka and Eastport Winter headquarters, as well as the Tishomingo County Archives and History Museum.
•Jacinto Courthouse, completed in 1854, is a wonderful example of a federal-style courthouse. The two-story courthouse was constructed with handmade bricks. The Jacinto Foundation operates a country store across from the courthouse offering a variety of souvenirs and handmade items, as well as snacks.
•Shiloh, located 22 miles from Corinth, is an impressive site with battlefields, monuments and a national cemetery.
•Battle of Farmington where re-enactors hold an annual event on a Civil War battlefield in the town the third weekend each September. Some 800 to 1,000 re-enactors are expected to participate in the 2011 event. What makes this event even more special is that it was organized by a small group of towns people who did it as a labor of love to promote the town.
WHERE TO EAT
Wonderful Southern cooking, including ribs, old-fashioned hamburgers and chocolate malts and “meat and three” restaurants, make a trip to Corinth even more appealing. Restaurants not to be missed include the following:
•Abe’s Grill, located at 206 Hwy. 72, is the perfect spot to start your day off with a Southern breakfast in one of the most unique places. Just about every available spot on the outside of the restaurant is covered with signs and memorabilia. Inside, you will find a long counter with stools for the guests. Behind the counter, Abe, his wife and his son serve up breakfast. Make sure you try the chocolate gravy and homemade biscuits for a sweet treat. Lunch is also offered at Abe’s Grill.
•Rib Shack, located at 920 Hwy. 72 East, specializes in barbecue and ribs. Appetizers to try include the fried pickle spears and corn nuggets. For the main entrée, you have to try the ribs and the regular order of the hickory smoked ribs is a great choice. Also on the menu is sandwiches, steaks, salads, chicken and catfish. For dessert, try the decadent the butterfinger pie.
•Pull up to the counter at Borroum’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain and order a cherry coke or chocolate malt, along with an old-fashioned hamburger. You won’t be sorry. For something unique to the area, try the slug burger. During the depression, a local butcher concocted a mixture of ground beef and pork plus a filler and deep fried it, serving it with yellow mustard, onions and pickles. It was sold for a nickel at that time, which led to the name, slug burger. Borroum’s is Mississippi’s oldest operating drug store and soda fountain.
•Pizza Grocery, located at 800-A Cruise Street, offers pizza, pasta and calzones. The building was constructed in the early 1900s and, from 1920-1980, was a warehouse for dry groceries and produce, which is where the name Pizza Grocery comes from. While the pizzas are always a great choice, the pasta is also wonderful.
•The Dinner Bell, located at 1000 South Harper Road, has been a tradition in the area since 1998. The restaurants offers the traditional Southern “meat and three” with fried pork chops, grilled pork chops, fried chicken, chicken strips and chicken livers among the meats offered and fried okra, corn nuggets, pinto beans, white beans, fried green tomatoes, fried squash, broccoli, green beans and slaw among the vegetables. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the peach cobbler.
•JuJu’s Shrimp Boat, located at 1907 East Shiloh Road, has wonderful shrimp with shrimp and grits, grilled shrimp and jumbo fried shrimp among the choices. Gumbo and etouffee are offered, as well as a great crawfish basket appetizer.
•The Restaurant at the Generals Quarters Inn is a classic Victorian home located at 924 Fillmore Street in the historic district that is now a bed and breakfast that also offers lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. The apple smoked pork tenderloin is a great choice from the dinner menu.
•Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, located at 1140 Hagy Lane in nearby Shiloh, offers wonderful catfish, with all of the southern traditional side dishes, including slaw and hushpuppies. It is one of the oldest family owned restaurants in the country and it has been offering up food and hospitality since the early 1930s.
WHERE TO STAY
Holiday Inn Express is a great place to make your headquarters during your stay in Corinth. It is centrally located to all of the area attractions and offers a free breakfast each morning. The rooms are spacious and the staff is friendly and helpful. For more information, go to www.hiexpress.com/corinthms.
For more information on visiting Corinth, go to www.corinth.net or call 1-800-748-9048.
