of both universities. The city is home to three
restaurants and a bar-restaurant operated by
Robert St. John, one of Mississippi’s most
celebrated chefs. And it serves as a gateway
to the 41-mile Longleaf Trace, which is
paralleled by a 23-mile equestrian trail.
Ocean Springs (population 17,140)
A pretty oasis on the Mississippi Coast,
Ocean Springs mixes shopping, restaurants
and a lively after-hours scene along tree-lined
streets. Shops offer everything from art to
clothing to cream soda bottled especially for
customers at the quaint lunch counter at
Lovelace Drugs. The waterfront area includes
a beach, fishing piers and a marina where
you can buy shrimp right off the boats.
Ocean Springs is also home to Shearwater
Pottery and the Walter Anderson Museum
of Art. The museum features whole walls on
which Walter painted and a small collection
of pottery made by his brother Peter. At
Shearwater Pottery, you can see more examples
of Peter’s work, and watch his son Jim and
grandson Peter carry on the family tradition.
Oxford (population 14,051)
As home to the University of Mississippi,
Oxford bleeds cardinal red and navy blue
in sports, and wears with honor a literary
heritage that includes authors John Grisham,
Willie Morris and William Faulkner.
Both college and local life revolve around
the classic town square, which includes
upscale boutiques, specialty shops and
gourmet restaurants. Among them are
the South’s oldest department store,
J.E. Neilson Co.; independently owned
Square Books; and City Grocery, the
first of four local restaurants operated
by award-winning chef John Currence.
Starkville (population 22,638)
Football fans know Starkville as the
location of Mississippi State University,
but it’s also known for mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches and barbecued ribs at The Little
Dooey, scented products at Aspen Bay Candles, and legends such as that of singer Johnny Cash,
who wrote the song “Starkville City Jail” after being arrested for, he said, “picking flowers.”
The city has several historic districts. In the Cotton District begins a self-guided arts walk that includes
restaurants, art galleries and artists’ studios. Old Main Historic District includes the historic Hotel
Chester, music and performances at State Theatre, great burgers at Mugshots Grill & Bar, and fabulous
Southern flavors at Restaurant Tyler, showplace for the culinary talents of Chef Ty Thames.
More True Towns
D Aberdeen (population 6,172)
D Booneville (population 8,664)
D Canton (population 12,578)
D Clinton (population 26,212)
D Columbus (population 24,213)
D Corinth (population 14,290)
D Laurel (population 18,540)
D Madison (population 21,938)
D McComb (population 13,697)
D Meridian (population 38,200)
D Natchez (population 17,162)
D Picayune (population 11,759)
D Port Gibson (population 1,840)
D Southaven (population 49,000)
D Tupelo (population 35,930)
D Vicksburg (population 25,740)
D West Point (population 11,529) Lovelace Drugs, Ocean Springs 1)
Janie's Pastry, Brookhaven 2)
Downtown historic area, Cleveland 3)
Longleaf Trace, Hattiesburg 4)
Square Books, Oxford 5)
Cotton District Arts Festival, Starkville 6)
Union Station, Meridian 7)
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Discover Your True Town
Feature