Printer Friendly
The Free Library
14,787,480 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Fair and friendly: New Albany is known for its cosmopolitan air and congenial spirit.


When asked what it is that makes their town unique, most New Albany New Albany, city (1990 pop. 36,322), seat of Floyd co., S Ind., near the falls of the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Ky.; inc. 1819. The city was a shipbuilding center in the 19th cent., and the riverboats Robert E. Lee and Eclipse were built there.  residents respond with the same mischievous glimmer in their eyes, the same wry smile, and say, "Well, we park in the middle of the street." While this idiosyncrasy idiosyncrasy /id·io·syn·cra·sy/ (-sing´krah-se)
1. a habit peculiar to an individual.

2. an abnormal susceptibility to an agent (e.g., a drug) peculiar to an individual.
 can be disconcerting dis·con·cert  
tr.v. dis·con·cert·ed, dis·con·cert·ing, dis·con·certs
1. To upset the self-possession of; ruffle. See Synonyms at embarrass.

2.
 to newcomers, it doesn't take long for another special attribute to surface, an attribute that keeps New Albany on the upswing Upswing

An upward turn in a security's price after a period of falling prices.
 as a vibrant community steeped in history and focused on forward movement--the people.

"This is just a really friendly town," says Chuck Cooper Chuck Cooper may refer to
  • Chuck Cooper (actor)
  • Chuck Cooper (athlete)
, owner of the downtown shop Van-Atkins Jewelers. "Through good times and bad times, people stick together."

This quality has everything to do with the fact that residents live in a town they can be proud of, one that boasts a diverse and interesting heritage, including local heroes such as William Faulkner and the last king of the Chickasaw nation
This article is about the historical governmental subdivision within the old Indian Territory; see Chickasaw for the people also called the Chickasaw Nation.
The Chickasaw Nation was one of the five Indian Nations in the United States.
, Ishtehotopah; a vital downtown, with locally owned shops and two parks; a diverse population of more than 8,000 people; and a sense of community that reveals the town's nickname, the "fair and friendly city," to be aptly chosen.

Originally a river port town and commercial hub, New Albany was organized in 1840 at the site of a gristmill and sawmill sawmill, installation or facility in which cut logs are sawed into standard-sized boards and timbers. The saws used in such an installation are generally of three types: the circular saw, which consists of a disk with teeth around its edge; the band saw, which  on the Tallahatchie River Tallahatchie River

River, northern Mississippi, U.S. It rises in Tippah county and flows southwest 230 mi (370 km) to join the Yalobusha River and form the Yazoo River. The Tallahatchie is navigable for about 100 mi (160 km).
 near the intersection of two Chickasaw Indian trade trails. After Union troops marched through and burned the majority of the town, citizens joined forces to re-form Union County from parts of Lee, Pontotoc, and Tippah counties, designating New Albany as the county seat in 1870. The establishment of two railroad lines also lent to the area's revitalization, as did highway growth during the 20th century. Russian immigrant Morris Futorian added to the town's success story when he opened the first assembly-line furniture plant, which soon became one of the largest furniture plants under one roof in the world, and put the final stamp on New Albany's status as a community with a viable economy.

The results of these endeavors are still alive and ready to be experienced the minute visitors park in the middle of Bankhead Street downtown and stroll among the shops dotting the main thoroughfare THOROUGHFARE. A street or way so open that one can go through and get out of it without returning. It differs from a cul de sac, (q.v.) which is open only at one end.
     2. Whether a street which is not a thoroughfare is a highway, seems not fully settled.
. Most residents say they believe their main street area to be the best part of their city, but don't be confused by the street actually named Main Street that's one block away.

"Out of all the town squares I've been to in Mississippi, this one is unique," says Jaclyn Wilson, who moved to New Albany at the beginning of 2006 to open her children's clothing store, Giggles. "There is such a variety of shops, and since I've been here, everyone has come in and asked if there was anything they could do to help."

Amy Williams Amy Williams (born 29 September 1982) is a British (English) skeleton athlete.

Born in Bath, Williams tried several other sports before she became a skeleton athlete. She was a runner (200m, 400m and cross-country) and also participated in swimming.
, who works at the nationally known bakery Sugaree's, agrees. "The downtown local people are so nice," Williams says, offering a cookie. "You can ask anybody for help, and everybody knows everybody."

From housewares house·wares  
pl.n.
Cooking utensils, dishes, and other small articles used in a household, especially in the kitchen.
 to rare estate jewelry Estate jewelry, also known as vintage jewelry, is a fashion trend for the new millennium. , from upscale clothing to nationally distributed candles, shoppers are apt to find nearly anything they need here. Vainisi's Italian restaurant serves up gourmet pizzas and freshly made pastas, while, one block over, a traditional burger shop named Latham's Hamburger Inn still features an old-fashioned short bar and stools.

Two downtown parks add to New Albany's friendly flair. Cooper Park is highlighted by an early-1900s Coca-Cola mural that was discovered when Van-Atkins Department Store was lost in a 2001 fire. The family donated the property to the city for the park and opened a jewelry shop down the street, where their rare estate pieces are known all over the world. Outdoors lovers also appreciate the picturesque Park Along the River, which connects to the 70-acre Sportsplex baseball and soccer complex via the scenic paths of the Tallahatchie Trails.

The opportunity to find antiques and locally made pottery or to take a peaceful walk along the river keeps New Albany's main street district on par with any thriving Mississippi small town. Anchoring the downtown area is the county courthouse, erected in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places This article is about the U.S. Register. For the National Register of Historic Places in Canada see Canadian Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places
. Stop in at the Union County Development Association, which sits across the street in the town's old post office and encompasses a welcome center, Chamber of Commerce, and tourism council. Inside, a mural depicting a local dairy farm scene dates back to the federal government's Depression-era painting commissions. The association decided to keep the old mailboxes, using them to store brochures and preserving one section with the original labels. Director Glenn Duckworth welcomes visitors to enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up on all the town's chronicles, anecdotal and de facto [Latin, In fact.] In fact, in deed, actually.

This phrase is used to characterize an officer, a government, a past action, or a state of affairs that must be accepted for all practical purposes, but is illegal or illegitimate.
.

For a dynamic display of the town's archives and annals, drive a couple of blocks over to the Union County Heritage Museum, assuredly the town's jewel. The exhibits, which actually begin with a fossil-encrusted rock 95 feet west of the museum building, present a local timeline from prehistoric times to the present. The museum also showcases a Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian Institution, research and education center, at Washington, D.C.; founded 1846 under terms of the will of James Smithson of London, who in 1829 bequeathed his fortune to the United States to create an establishment for the "increase and diffusion of  collection of American Indian American Indian
 or Native American or Amerindian or indigenous American

Any member of the various aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of the Eskimos (Inuit) and the Aleuts.
 objects found at the 2,000-plus-year-old Chickasaw burial mounds called Ingomar, located about 20 minutes outside of town, and an enviable assemblage of first-edition novels by William Faulkner, who was born in a house just a block east of here. Inside the museum is a model of the Nobel Prizewinning prize·win·ning also prize-win·ning  
adj.
Having won or worthy of winning a prize: the prizewinning entry.

Adj. 1.
 author's childhood home and several other items and stories of interest. Don't hesitate to ask museum director Jill Smith for a personal tour, as she has a true passion for her hometown and tells its story from the perspective of a 25-year veteran journalist.

New Albany is never at rest, with citizens lauding its charm throughout the year at various events held at the town center. The Tallahatchie RiverFest, which has brought in such acts as Sammy Kershaw and the Bellamy Brothers in the past, takes place each fall, during the same period when the Heritage Museum offers interactive demonstrations on such activities as churning butter, shelling corn, and working with old textiles during its annual Cellular South Heritage Pioneer Days celebration. The town also hosts a bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species.  and blues music festival in May to recognize its Appalachian hills musical heritage (the town is a member of the Appalachian Regional Commission The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. ) and the area's endless string of blues talent.

From its history to its hospitable people, from its community activities to its architecture and landscape, it's no wonder that Barbara Tyre decided to move back home to New Albany after 35 years away.

"I forget I don't live in a cosmopolitan area," says Tyre, who now owns an eponymous e·pon·y·mous  
adj.
Of, relating to, or constituting an eponym.



[From Greek epnumos; see eponym.
 women's clothing store and enjoys both the town's easy access to culture and its close-knit residents. "I have customers come in who aren't necessarily looking for Looking for

In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with.
 anything. They just say, 'I haven't seen you in a while, and I was wondering how you were doing.' I get hugs all the time. It's fun being here. I feel I've established some really good friendships."

That special bond shared by longtime residents, newcomers, and even visitors is what New Albany, once and forever a "fair and friendly city," is all about.

noteworthy new albany

WHAT TO DO

Cooper Park, Coca-Cola Mural 120-B W. Bankhead St.

Disc Golf Course 18-hole course spread throughout the Park Along the River and the Sportsplex. 662/534-1006

Hell Creek Wildlife Management Area Hunting, fishing, hiking, bird dog and beagle beagle, breed of dog
beagle, breed of small, compact hound developed over centuries in England and introduced into the United States in the 1870s. It stands between 10 and 15 in. (25.4–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 20 and 40 lb (9.
 field trial events, dog training. Off C.R. 75. 662/685-4508

Ingomar Burial Mounds One of the largest such sites in north Mississippi. South of town on C.R. 96. 662/538-0014

New Albany Sportsplex Two lighted soccer and football fields, ten lighted baseball and softball fields. 1165 Bratton Rd. 662/534-1006

Park Along the River/Arboretum Nature trail, picnic area, playground, and pavilion. 217 Carter Ave. 662/534-4354

Tallahatchie RiverFest Held downtown each fall. www.tallahatchieriverfest.com

Tallahatchie Trails About 1.5 miles of biking and walking trails through forest land along the river. Between downtown and the Sportsplex. 662/534-4354

Union County Development Association Visitor information. 135 E. Bankhead St. 662/534-4354 www.ucda-newalbany.com

Union County Heritage Museum Celebrates the town's land, resources, and people. Free admission. 114 Cleveland St. 662/538-0014

William Faulkner's Birthplace Corner of Jefferson and Cleveland streets, one block east of the Heritage Museum.

WHERE TO DINE

Betty's Luncheon Buffet Home-cooked meats and vegetables. 700 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-2006

George's Restaurant 102 Hwy. 15 S. 662/534-4276

Latham's Hamburger Inn 106 Main St. 662/534-5315

Linda's Family Restaurant 501 E. Bankhead St. 662/534-2279

Nichols Food & Dell Known for their biscuits and casseroles. 306 Clark St. 662/534-8474

Safari Seafood and Steaks 650 Park Plaza Dr. 662/534-4448

Sugaree's Bakery Traditional Southern cakes with a gourmet twist, shipped nationwide. 110 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-0031

Tallahatchie Gourmet 404 E. Bankhead St. 662/534-3250

Taylor's Place Seafood, steaks, and chicken. 538 C.R. 75. 662/538-0114

Vainisi's 108 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-6565

Village Cafe & Java Stop 108 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-6565

WHERE TO SHOP

Bab's and Rick's Wix Unique candles and gift items. 125 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-8129 www.rickswix.com

Bankhead Flower Shop 104 Hwy. 15 N. 662/534-4891

Barbara Tyre Upscale women's fashion and accessories. 103 W. Bankhead Street. 662/538-0023

The Bead Shack Handmade jewelry Handmade jewelry is that which is crafted by hand, just as jewelry has been since it was very first created by humans. Unlike modern machine-made jewelry, no two pieces of handmade jewelry - even of the same design - will be identical. . 106 E. Bankhead St. 662/539-0061 www.bead-shack.com

Blue Rose Antiques and Collectibles 110 W. Main St. 662/534-4836

The Calico Mushroom Home decor. 401 E. Main St. 662/534-9418

Downtown Interiors Home accents. 139 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-7847

French's Flower Shop 208 E. Bankhead St. 662/534-9051

Giggles Children's and maternity consignment. 114 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-4842

Kid's Kaboose Children's clothing and accessories. 202 Highland St. 662/534-8250

Merle merle

a pattern of coat color pigmentation with dark, irregular blotches on a lighter background. Seen in some Collies and Welsh corgis. In shorthaired dogs, e.g. Great Danes and Dachshunds, the similar pattern is called dapple.
 Norman Boutique/ The Import Place 118 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-3515

New Albany Floral and Gifts 514 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-0370

Sappington's Upscale men's and women's clothing, established in 1956. 102 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-4041

Something Special Children's and infants' clothing. 117 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-3784

Southern Traditions Gifts, jewelry, and bridal registry A bridal registry is a system designed by department stores for the purpose of allowing an engaged couple to manage the purchase of gifts for their wedding. From what is available at the store, the couple creates a list of items that they would like to receive, then the list is . 120 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-0410

Van-Atkins Jewelers Rare estate and other fine jewelry. 100 W. Bankhead St. 662/534-5012 www.vanatkins.com

WHERE TO STAY

Miss Sarah's Inn Antiques-filled guestrooms. 307 E. Main St. 662/534-3200

Oak Grove Oak grove may refer to
  • Oak Grove, a placename in (particularly) the United States.
  • sacred grove, a feature of paganism in Europe.

Oak Grove is a common name for several places in the United States of America.
 Bed & Breakfast Restored Victorian cottage. 1558 Hwy. 178 E. 662/534-7434
COPYRIGHT 2006 Downhome Publications, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2006, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Author:Young, Lesley
Publication:Mississippi Magazine
Date:Nov 1, 2006
Words:1724
Previous Article:A show of force: forcing bulbs into bloom is an easy way to provide color for the holiday season.(GARDENING)
Next Article:Proud to serve: a Hattiesburg couple opens their home to Camp Shelby soldiers for a special Thanksgiving dinner.
Topics:



Related Articles
William Kennedy comes of age. (his writings)
IBM Kingston property to be sold to Ulster Business Complex Realty.
SARAH NOT SO PLAIN, BUT VERY TALL WITH LILITH-FUELED CONCERT CROWD.(L.A. LIFE)(Review)
SQUARE'S FAIR BRINGS NEIGHBORS TOGETHER.(News)
Conrad Black was indicted on eleven counts of wire and mail fraud in connection with his management of Hollinger International, a media company that...
2006 spring pilgrimage guide: tour Mississippi's most beautiful homes and gardens during this special season.(Calendar)
Searching for Bedrock.(Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers)(Book review)
The classical and the whimsical.(Festivals)(For both, Bach Festival and Oregon Country Fair inspire passion)
KCMA unveils Environmental Stewardship Program.(TRENDS & NEWS)
Mailbox.(Letter to the editor)

Terms of use | Copyright © 2010 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles