New Albany magazine 2026
THE HISTORY OF NEW ALBANY • NATURE KNOWS BEST • THE FUTURE OF NEW ALBANY 1 | New Albany Magazine 2026
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New Albany magazine
Volume 14, Issue 1
CONTENT S
7 THE HISTORY OF NEW ALBANY
33 NATURE KNOWS BEST
54 THE FUTURE OF NEW ALBANY
64 MORE HISTORIC PHOTOS OF THE PEOPLE OF NEW ALBANY 77 MAIN STREET GALA PHOTOS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J. Lynn West Sophie McDonald Jill Smith Billye Jean Stroud CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS J. Lynn West Adam Robison GM & ADVERTISING SALES: LEIGH KNOX LAYOUT & AD DESIGN: SONNY HARRISON Published by
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The History of
New Albany
Earliest History of New Albany, Mississippi J. LYNN WEST New Albany Gazette Editor
April, 1541 Hernando DeSoto and his Spanish exploring forces pass through what is now Union County and attack the Alibamo Indians near here. They camped at Chicasilla, in present Pontotoc County, to forge new weapons. On Tuesday, April 26, they left Chicacilla and after a one-day march reached the town of Alibamo where they slept. According to one account, “On Thursday, they came to another savannah where the Indians had constructed a very strong fort of palisades which was located on the bank of a small river, near a ford. The Spaniards stormed it and drove the Indians
out and across the river.” This fort and ford were on the Tallahatchie River and probably at or near New Albany.
1830 White men begin pressing into the
Chickasaw country of Alabama and North 1541-1700 Mississippi. There is no record of what happened here for almost 300 years after De Soto’s passing, but the Alibamo Indians moved on. The Chickasaw Indians were living here when the first whites came to the present northeast Mississippi area in the 1700s.
1790s-1800s Isaac Alberson begins trading with the Chickasaw Indians at a trading post 2-1/2 miles northwest of New Albany.
1832 In the Treaty of Pontotoc, Oct. 20, 1832, agreed to by the Chickasaw Indians, they ceded all their lands to the United States, to be put on the market and sold as public land. It was also agreed, however, that every family of the Nation would be granted land depending on the size of the family, with additional land to families owning slaves.
Note: All historical photos in this issue of New Albany Magazine courtesy of Director Jill Smith and the Union County Heritage Museum. Above photo: A rare dusk photo of downtown New Albany, believed to be during the Christmas season.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 7
Settlers Arrive cart. 1835 May 4, 1836 Anticipating the public sale Immahoby Tubby deeds to of land not granted to Indians, Booker Foster an entire section July, 1837 white settlers began moving into of land, which was Section 31, Indians begin what we now call the northeast Albany area in 1835. Some settled on the high ground west of town around the Alberson trading post. Booker Foster bought a section of land and built his log home, which was incorporated into the white, two-story house located on Airport Road. Moses Collins settled on the other side of Damnation Creek, northeast of Foster’s land and his neighbor was John N. Wilie who later manufactured wheat fans.
Township 6, Range 3 east, which is the land where Alberson Trading Post was located. To In-na-ho-ka-ta, President Van Buren on January 25, 1836, granted 640.48 acres land, being section 8, Township 7, Range East on which the Town of New Albany was later located.
1836
Booker Foster, Moses Collins and family, including nephew Ira M. Kemp (sometimes called Camp) arrived at Alberson by ox
The Rev. Percy Ray of Myrtle holds a mass outdoor pond baptism.
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leaving Northeast Mississippi for the West.
1837 First
bridge across Tallahatchie built; tradition says it was a covered bridge. Some settlers chose the flat land east town in the area running along East Bankhead from the present post office to east of the present intersection with Murrah Road. This small group met for worship in different homes and
about 1842 or 1843 organized themselves as the Primitive Baptist Church called Zion Hill. In 1844 they built a house of worship nearby which later also served as a schoolhouse. This was the forerunner of the present First Baptist Church in New Albany.
1839 The first recorded death of a
member the Zion Hill group was that of Sarah Bostwick who died January 28, 1839 and was buried nearby. The place where she was buried, on present Murrah Road, became the first cemetery of this area.
The Founding of New Albany 1840 The Indians gone, Moses
Collins and Ira Malcolm Camp (Kemp) moved across the river and began a flour and lumber mill on the east bank of the Tallahatchie. Ira M. Kemp surveyed the village of New Albany and divided it into 89 lots to be sold. The first lots were sold to Francis Duncan. The trail by home of the Indian King Ishtehotopah southwest of town was widened, and King’s Ford Road, now the Martintown Road, was opened. Having acquired the land first owned by In-na-ho-kata, Moses Collins in 1840 built a large three-story flour mill and saw mill in the bend of the Tallahatchie River near where the karate studio at 145 West Bankhead is now located. Also in 1840, Moses Collins’ son-in-law Ira M. Camp (or Kemp) surveyed the Town of New Albany on this section of land and laid it out in 89 lots. Using present landmarks, the survey began at the west line of the Mason Lodge lot and the Courthouse lot and ran along Broad (now Main) Street to the east line of the lots at 410 and 411 East Main. Cotton Street (now Bankhead Street) ran from the west line of the Courthouse lot to the east line of the lot at 414 East Bankhead. The Camp Survey was bounded on the north by Town or Camp Branch. It is said that Moses Collins gave his son, Irvin R. Collins, the privilege of naming the town, which he served as first postmaster. There is only speculation about why the name was chosen. The first school in New Albany was taught in the Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church. This building was used as a school building until the Civil War when school was disbanded in 1863 because there was no place
The 1907 Union County Courthouse, which was replaced with the current building only a couple of years later. At rear left is the old county jail, which survived almost to the end of the Twentieth Century before being demolished and replaced by the new library building – which is now the chancery court building. The earlier courthouse was burned by an arsonist in 1881.
for the teacher to board.
1842 or 1843 Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church formed, meeting in the homes of its members who lived on the high ground where East Bankhead now is.
1843 The first Lodge of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons organized with 19 members. The Tallahatchie Institute opened in a frame building about where 102 East Main now is. Bethesda Church was organized June 24, 1843, meeting in the
Tallahatchie Institute Building. The first industries along Broad Street (now Main) were a tin shop, blacksmith shop and dry goods business. Dr. H. N. Moss was the first physician and his residence was on the site of the Darden home on what is now known as Moss Hill Drive. In 1843, there was located along Broad Street the tin shop of Ira Camp, a blacksmith shop operated by a Mr. Snider and a dry goods business whose stock of goods amounted to about $500. Later there was a carriage and wagon plant where the First Baptist Church Family Life Center is today. A saddle and harness shop stood on the present telephone building lot. A
few modest homes were built on the same street. The Tallahatchie River, whose name is derived from the Indian words “tarre hatchie,” meaning “rock river, was a small, winding river, one of whose bends was within the town. The early citizens of New Albany seem to have been men of vision and enterprise. They realized that river transportation would mean much to this area with its dirt roads and trails, which were impassable at certain seasons. In the early 1840s, the citizens of the county cleared the river of its accumulation of logs, stumps and growth and cleared the banks so that the river was made navigable. New Albany Magazine 2026 | 9
On the bend of the river, the wharf, or “boat landing,” was later built about where the parking lot east of the Farm Bureau building on West Bankhead is now located. Flatboats that would be propelled by poles were built here. The boats were operated only during the winter and spring months when there would be plenty of water. They were under the command of Capt. Jim Smith, an old river man. The cargoes of these boats consisted principally of cotton from the broad plantations of those wealthy planters and large slave owners, the Duncans, Pruitts, Cornwells and Brewsters and some others. These plantations spread out for some miles south of town beyond King’s Creek. Booker Foster and Moses Collins also shipped the cotton grown on their plantations east of town. When the boats, usually a fleet of four or five, reached New Orleans, the cotton was sold and the crews, with the merchandise purchased for the New Albany trade and the bags of gold for the planters, would return by boat to Memphis and thence back home by wagon trains. During the summer new boats would be built for the next winter and spring fleet. About 1843, the Tallahatchie Institute was opened in a frame building on the lot where the former Bratton home at 102 East Main Street is. This was a tuition school and later offered boarding facilities for the pupils, or scholars as they were then called. The strongest church in New Albany in the early days was a Southern Presbyterian church named Bethesda. Bethesda Church was organized June 24, 1843, in the Tallahatchie Institute building. A church building, erected on the hill near the cemetery, was burned by the Yankees. After the war, the members built a new church near the Center community and the name of Mt. Zion was given this church. It was later absorbed 10 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Grabblers searching for more giant catfish in the Drift
by Hopewell, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
1845 The Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was moved to Alberson where a large upstairs hall was used as a lodge room. In 1848, the lodge was moved back to the first location, New Albany, which was building up and becoming a considerable business point.
1848 New Albany gets tri-weekly
stage service, running from Pontotoc to Holly Springs and from Pontotoc to Ripley. One stage coach inn was located where the intersection of East Bankhead and Murrah Road now is and was operated by John Collins. Another inn was at Dr. Tardy’s place at Tardyville.
1850 Cotton and corn were the
principal crops. About 1850, Moses Collins had made a supplemental survey of the
Town of New Albany, which bore his name. This addition began at the Tallahatchie River and extended east to what is now the Tanglefoot Trail. The principal street was named Mill Street (which is now West Bankhead) and extended from where In Bloom is today to the present City Hall. Mill Street was 66 feet wide and it was on this street that the principal business houses were built after the Civil War. South of and parallel with Mill Street was Pine Street, 49 1/2 feet wide. This is now the alley behind the strip including Van-Atkins and Southern Traditions, much of the street being now used with the lots on which business buildings fronting on Bankhead Street are located. Main Street was only 39 feet in width in the addition. The land lying between Camp Survey and Collins Survey was not subdivided until the Bigham Survey was made at a later date. The town of New Albany was incorporated in 1850. Joel H. Hearne was elected the first mayor, a position he held for 13 years, until he resigned to enter the Confederate Army. Hearne was reported to be a fine man,
well loved by everyone. He was a clerk in the store of Alexander Morgan when he was elected mayor. Later he served in the Mississippi Legislature and as Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the first Methodist Church in New Albany and was editor of one of the county papers in the 1870s. New Albany was incorporated as a voting precinct of Pontotoc County with Joel Hearne as first mayor. Development of roads was a major concern to citizens of the town. In 1837, the first bridge across the Tallahatchie River was built at the foot of present Main Street. This evidently was a covered bridge and it was replaced by a new bridge in 1850 at the cost of $177.
1854 A certified list of persons
entitled to vote for Corporation officers in the Town of New Albany was submitted to the Police Court of Pontotoc County on December 30, 1854. It contained the names of 30 men who were residents of the town.
The War Years and After way to Holly Springs where he burned the New Albany. 1861 Federal stores, a major loss to those forces. When war was declared in 1861, there was He soon passed through again with the a quick response to the call for volunteers. Federals close on his heels. 1863 The New Albany Grays took enlistments Generals Grierson and Smith camped here In the 11 justice beats making up the beginning May 16, 1861 and its muster roll included 111 men from New Albany and surrounding communities. It was designated as Company K, 21st Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers and it reached Richmond, Va. on June 20, 1861. The company was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. It is doubtful if any body of troops of the entire Confederate Army took part in more desperate battles and rendered more valiant service than did this Company. This Brigade was the last of the Army of Virginia to march through Richmond at the time of surrender. There were no battles around New Albany but there were frequent skirmishes. A Confederate Post was located at New Albany and the armies of both North and South frequently moved by way of this town. New Albany was constantly plagued by the invaders, particularly those participating in the battles of Harrisburg, Brice’s Cross Road, Shiloh and Corinth. VanDorn, with 2,500 troops, crossed the river and camped on the north bank on his
twice on their raids through the state, which they made to cut off supplies to Vicksburg. They had 17,000 soldiers with them and they took all provisions, clothing, stock and everything they could find. All the slaves in town followed when they left. One of the officers with General Grierson wrote in his diary that New Albany was a pleasantly situated little country town with some fine residences and a few stores whose stock needed to be replenished. Colonel Phillips left La Grange, Tenn. with two requirements of cavalry, the Fifth Ohio and Ninth Illinois, and plundered the town of Ripley, Miss. On June 13, 1863, he marched south to New Albany where, it was reported, “he burned the whole town up, not leaving a single building standing.” Only a few houses were left standing. All stores and the Presbyterian Church were burned. Mr. Bond, whose store had been burned, bought a new stock of goods and opened a store in his residence. For several years after the war this was the only store in
area around New Albany, a total of 3,080 men were listed as being subject to draft. Captain Charles D. Fontaine of Pontotoc served as recruiting officer. New Albany was on the line of march from Nashville to New Orleans, and Northern and Southern armies moved through it.
June 20, 1863 The Battle of Mud Creek was won by Confederates.
October, 1863 Various skirmishes were fought around New Albany.
1864 New Albany recovered slowly after the war.
Union County is Formed had been necessary to go to to-do and respected citizen civic center is now located. This 1870 Ripley or Pontotoc to obtain a whose parents came here in served as a courthouse until New Albany and the surrounding area were impoverished after the war. The only store was in the home of Mr. Bond, mentioned above. The country was under carpetbag rule, the people were impoverished and there was great unrest. A school was opened and the schoolteacher, Mollie L. Henry, was paid at the rate of 7 1/2 cents per pupil per day. The county paid tuition for children whose parents were unable to pay. The school term lasted only four months and the following year the studies took up where they had been discontinued the prior year. During all these years, it
marriage license or to attend to legal matters. It was the general opinion of the people that this section had been unfairly treated in many respects, so a meeting was called and it was decided to try to have a new county formed. The sum of $3,000 was collected and a man was selected to carry the money to Jackson where the carpetbag Legislature was in session. It was not said how the money was spent; however, Union County was established on July 7, 1870. It is said that the county received its name when George S. Mitchell, Nimrod Wilkins and a few other men met to consider the matter. Mr. Wilkins, a well-
1840 from Union District, S.C., suggested the name of “Union” for the county to which the others agreed. This occurrence was mentioned by Mr. Mitchell in his diary. New Albany, being centrally located, was chosen as the county seat. A new day began to dawn for both the town and the county. The first officers in Union County were appointed by the Republican Governor and were, of course, Republicans. The immediate need was for a building to house the county offices. A large, frame building was constructed at the west end of Cotton Street, beginning about where the front of the
1872 when the new, two-story, brick courthouse was completed on the present courthouse block. This building housed not only the county offices but the law office of Young and Dalton and the New Albany Democrat whose power plant furnished electric lights for the building. The weekly newspaper ‘’The Intelligencer” began, owned and edited by S. M. Frierson. A Grange Hall was built on the hill near the city cemetery east of town. In 1870 there were only eight residences in New Albany proper. Outside the town, Judge Lee Jarvis lived in a large log house on the hill where Squire New Albany Magazine 2026 | 11
Reaves later built his home just east of 406 Reeves Street. James A. Hill lived in a fine old home beyond the cemetery that in later years became the Ben Taylor home (where the post office is today). Across the road from the Hill home was a large, two-story, log house occupied by Dr. Clarence Cullens and later occupied by Judge Jarvis. Mill Street became the new business area as wooden store buildings were constructed a few years after the Civil War. Dr. Dudley Wiley had a small office and drug store. Next was the lot where Mr. Bond’s store later was located. Joining it was J. H. Williamson’s saddler shop, then Peter Wiley’s saloon. Nathan Brown’s blacksmith shop stood near the river (What we now refer to as the Tallahatchie River is the canal that was dredged in 1912 and was reworked in 1952). About 1870 the town began to grow. Merchants from Orizaba, old Fredonia and Ellistown communities moved their businesses to Mill Street. There also were several saloons, usually listed on census records as “grocery stores,” during the ‘70s, including those of S. L. Neely, Leroy J. Langston and E. P. (Pete) Wiley, T. B. Sloan, AG. B. (Bob) Anderson and Spencer Embrey. Naturally there was much drunkenness and many fistfights on the street, especially on Saturday. Dr. Wiley appeared regularly as a defendant in Justice of the Peace Court, charged with fighting, swearing and cursing on the streets of New Albany and drunkenness. The Justice Court was busy with such cases and those charging boisterous conduct, brick batting, affray, attempting to fight and pushing a man off a platform. Following Squire Hearne, John A Beard and E. M. Coker became Justices of the Peace in 1874. The town and county had not recovered from the period of “hard times” following the Civil War. After the death of 12 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Noted trainer A. L. “Uncle Alva” Collins of Myrtle with some of his dogs after conducting a hunt with then-Gov. Martin Sennet “Mike” Conner, who served from 1932 to 1936.
C. T. Bond, the administrators of his estate in April and May 1873 filed 56 lawsuits in Squire Hearne’s court to recover money owed Mr. Bond on open accounts and promissory notes. The successor administrator, in the spring of 1874, filed 185 additional lawsuits, the smallest amount being $1.00 and few amounts being over $100. The list of defendants included business and professional people, tradesman, mechanics, craftsmen and farmers. The first lawyer in New Albany was Shelton Heard whose small office stood across the street from the courthouse. Coming to New Albany were J. L. Young of Lee County, Z. M. Stephens who was called “Marion,” Frank Beckett of West Point, Heywood Dalton, T. M. Harris from Holly Springs, W. G. Bias from Virginia and John W. Frederick. In 1870, a stock company was formed to buy equipment for a weekly paper, “The Intelligencer,” and Mr. S. M. Frierson was the editor. A Grange Hall had been built on the hill near the cemetery and this building served as church, schoolhouse, Masonic Hall and general meeting place for the community until separate
buildings were erected.
1871-1872 A new two-story brick
courthouse and a jail were built on the present courthouse block. After the courthouse was completed in 1872, the Legislature authorized the public sale of the old courthouse and lot after the lot was subdivided into suitable business lots. The Bigham Survey of the town, made in 1873, included the courthouse lot plus the land lying between the Camp Survey and the Collins Survey. This addition to the business district began at the present Tanglefoot Trail line and extended east to the new courthouse block. The survey also included the courthouse block and the block north of it, which originally were in the Camp Survey. In 1880, the federal census listed New Albany with a population of 250. Beat 3 including New Albany, had a population of 4,208 and Beat 4, 3,548. Though the town was still small, it had a substantial trade area surrounding it and the farms were producing fine crops and many cattle.
The coming of the railroads was the most important event that occurred here in the ‘80s.
1874 The present Baptist (10
members) and Methodist (7 members) churches were organized. These two and the Presbyterians came together and built a union church in 1876 located where the Baptist Church parking lot is today. In 1874, the present Baptist and Methodist churches were organized. The Baptists had 10 members and the Methodists had seven. These, with few Presbyterians, bought a lot and built a union church in 1876. This is the lot on which the present First Baptist Church annex is now located. When the Methodists built a church of their own in 1886, this became the Baptist Church. In 1898, the Baptist Church sold the lot to the Church of Christ and purchased the lot fronting on Cotton Street where a brick church was constructed.
1875 A one-teacher black school was built.
Recovery born here in 1897. stump or anything whatever 1880 Dec. 2, 1886 within eight feet of any sidewalk.” The charter for Poplar Springs The first train over the Frisco The board was looking ahead 1888 Normal College was secured, tracks came in. Before the track The board of aldermen because there were no sidewalks the only college Union County ever had, with 300 boarding school students. D. H. Davis was the first principal. Rev. T. A. J. Beasley (father of the late Kenneth Beasley) was principal 1897-1905. The school closed in 1912. At that time the city had a population of 250.
Oct. 28, 1881 This courthouse was burned
by an arsonist wishing to destroy his criminal record on October 28, 1881. Lost in the fire were all the county records accumulated since 1870. Until a new courthouse could be constructed within the following year, court was held in the home of Dr. Mumford Wilson which was on the corner of present Main Street and Court Avenue, across the street and west of the courthouse lot.
was completed, there was a strike and laborers guarded the area with shotguns. The contractor absconded with the payroll. Everyone in the county who could come was there to see the first train pull in. There had been much excitement before the track was completed. A second railroad, the Gulf & Ship Island, a narrow-gauge railroad, was built with convict labor. Col. W. C. Falkner was one of the founders of the company that built this road. Col. Falkner threatened to change the route of the road and build it through present Glenfield. A mass meeting was called and several thousand dollars was collected and given to the company, so the controversy was settled and the track was completed through New Albany in August, 1887. Col. Falkner’s son, Murry Falkner, came down to work at the depot and his son, William Faulkner of literary fame was
appointed a city marshal and night watchman, each of whom was paid the sum of $20 a month and $1.50 for every arrest. Each officer was required to post a bond of $1,000. Conditions must have been rather bad here by 1888. Among town ordinances of that year a fine of $5 or 10 days in jail was imposed for carrying a dirk, dirk knife, sword, sword cane, pistol or other deadly weapon. It was more serious to carry concealed or partly concealed a bowie knife, brass knucks and pistol. The sentence was $10 or 20 days in jail. In 1892, the slingshot was added to this list of deadly weapons. Traffic regulations were enacted in 1888 also. The fine was $1.00 and costs for driving across a bridge at a pace faster than a walk. One dollar or two days in jail was the penalty for “hitching any horse, ox, mule or other animal to any tree, snag,
in town. However, in October of that year, the board approved specifications for sidewalks to be built by property owners at their expense. This irked some of the citizens, so walks were forgotten for several years. In 1893, the editor of the county paper congratulated Z. M. Stephens for building the first sidewalk in New Albany in front of his residence which stood where the old post office is now located. In 1888, a group of business and professional men incorporated the “New Albany High School Company” to provide better education for the children of the town. Two lots on which the present Middle School is now located were purchased and a large frame schoolhouse was erected. Tuition was charged to defray the expense of operating the school. With the expansion of the town, the frame building became inadequate and was soon filled to double its capacity.
Urbanization The population of New Albany the sense in which we now use was organized, The Aesthetics, to 1890 was now 548. The town now the word, set in during the ‘90s. which both ladies and gentlemen State stock laws were passed requiring a fence be built around every town so one was built around New Albany. Bidders were G. W. Snider and G. S. Mitchell, $199 a mile; H. A. Beard and W. A. Liddell, $195 a mile; Knox, Parks and Co., $188 a mile and Z. M. Stephens, $192.50 a mile. A contract was awarded J. A. Smallwood for building a gate on the east end of the river bridge and keeping it in good repair for one year for which he was paid the sum of $5.
had one bank, one newspaper, four doctors, five lawyers, two railroads, one schoolhouse, two churches, one insurance company, three stores, two building and loan associations, one cotton gin, several saloons and a Law and Order Society. Everybody who was anybody in town joined that Law and Order Society. Since the coming of the railroads, the growth and development of New Albany have been steady. Progress, in
The Jeffersonian, the county paper of that date, bragged that New Albany received the Memphis paper every morning before the sun had been up three hours, and added, “Truly, this is an age of progress.” During the ‘90s, the first sidewalks were laid, individual power plants provided electric lights and artesian wells were bored. Banks were organized, an opera house was built, and a seven-piece brass band was the pride of the town. A culture club
belonged. The 100-acre tract known as the Town Land in the northern part of town was surveyed and subdivided into lots that were sold. A parking lot was needed for those who came to town to trade, so a wagon yard and sleeping house were provided on the Jockey Yard, now West Main Street. During these years many disastrous fires occurred. Between 1880 and 1890, there were eight fires that destroyed an New Albany Magazine 2026 | 13
immense amount of property. In 1890 not a business house was left that was here when the county was formed. These were replaced by brick buildings. In 1895, New Albany had 27 brick stores, all located on what was later to be named Bankhead Street. There was a well in the middle of the street around which people gathered for a cool drink of water.
1891 In 1891, New Albany’s first booster came to
town. He was Henry Edward Blakeslee who came down from Benton County to become editor of the Gazette. He announced that he was aware of the fact that the Gazette, to a large extent, had been filled with the arrivals and departures of editors and proprietors but he was here to stay. He was right about this. During the 20 years of the existence of a newspaper in New Albany, there had been 27 editors and the paper was published under different names. Mr. Blakeslee remained editor for more than 10 years during which he praised New Albany and Union County in the most extravagant language. Much credit is due Mr. Blakeslee for their growth and development. He installed electric lights in the office of the Gazette in 1897. Soon the plant was enlarged and supplied electricity for business houses and nearby residences. It was not until 1904 that New Albany voted 65 to one in favor of issuing bonds in the amount of $20,000 for electric lights and water works.
Youthful fun at a swimming hole with a rare slide, possibly at Springdale Lakes near Myrtle. The lakes were a popular attraction for the public and later owned by the New Albany Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
The power plant at the Gazette office still 1893 supplied power for nearby business houses New Albany was made a separate school district and the board of aldermen issued bonds for $500 and bought the property of the New Albany High School Company. They operated it until 1901 when a brick building was constructed to replace the frame structure.
1897 William Faulkner, whose father, Murray Falkner, had been sent to New Albany to manage the railroad station for the Gulf and Ship Railroad, was born here Sept. 25.
and homes.
1899 On the 4th of July, 1899, New Albany
probably held its largest celebration. The local paper estimated that there were 10,000 people here to celebrate. The streets were full of people by 7 o’clock in the morning and every train was full; some even sat on top of the coaches. The brass band played, there were political speeches and tribute to the flag and a ball was enjoyed.
Growth After the First War New Albany were behind it and with officers Paul Owen and 1900 the town was on the brink of 1905 Dick Rowland, the Bank of New New Albanian Ed Blakeslee The present Cleveland Street was appointed first State Commissioner of Agriculture. He died Oct. 27, 1924 and is buried in New Albany Cemetery. The first telephone pole in New Albany was put up by R. L. Shannon. At that time the Gazette, located where Barbara Tyre’s business is today, was the first phone connected and had the number one. By 1900, the population of New Albany had increased from 548 in 1890 to 1,033 people. The early days of 14 | New Albany Magazine 2026
industrial growth which took place in the decade following.
Presbyterian Church and Rainey Hotel were built.
1901 A brick school building was 1906 built.
1903 Paul Rainey located here.
In 1906 the First National Bank was organized with W. P. Wiseman as president, R. W. Pickens as vice president, R. L. Smallwood as cashier, and A. L. Rogers and H. M. Henry as bookkeepers. In 1908 there were three banks in New Albany, the Merchants and Farmers Bank
Albany, and First National Bank. Business was good. There was a cotton compress, oil mill, two brick and tile manufacturers, ice factory, Coca-Cola bottling works, local and long-distance telephone systems, machine shops, marble works, box factory, clothing factory and a $75,000 hotel.
1908 The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid.
1909 Some of the businesses in
New Albany about this time were R. B. Henderson Co., M. M. King and Sons Hardware and Lumber (later Mercantile and Manufacturing), Butler Brick Co., A. L. McAllister Jeweler, City Meat Market, J. J. Houston Co. (later to become Houston Dry Goods), Union Mercantile Co., McGill Ice Plant, three drug stores - Bratton’s, Henderson’s, and J. L. S. Rogers’, Hall Lumber Co., Stephens’ Union Lumber Co., and J. F. Larkin’s New Albany Spoke Mills. Larkin’s employed 24 men and boasted a daily output of 5,000 spokes.
1913 Mattie Thompson School
(then Cleveland Street) was built for grades one through four and added on to in 1916 after enrollment reached 350.
1915 The Rainey Hotel burned (the
first time) Nov. 25. Also burned was the town’s first moving picture theatre, called the Opera House.
1926 Fifth and sixth grades were
added to Mattie Thompson School and Central Primary School was built on Apple Street. The newer version of the Rainey Hotel, replacing the ornate original built in 1905 and burned in 1915. The hotel burned in the 1980s and was where the parking lot behind City Hall is today. In the photo below is the Shands Hospital at the corner of Main Street and South Central Avenue. It began as a home converted by Dr. Mayes and later had additions in the front and back. It was closed and later demolished with the use of Union County General Hospital.
Before the War building built for that purpose town to be Gazette advertising their labor. 1933 on Carter Avenue in 1936. manager. The Ki-Ro Gym was built at a cost of $1,300, financed by the 1934 Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs – Armour Creameries began 1936 hence the name. George Speck operations here in a building 1935 An auditorium was added to was the carpenter in charge. uptown, then moved to the W. O. Rutledge Jr. arrived in Cleveland Street School. Robert and Faye Henry gave
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 15
Crank telephones were taken out. The brick high school was replaced. During construction students went to school in First Methodist and First Baptist Churches (something that would be repeated during the final weeks of construction of W. P. Daniel High nearly 30 years later). Work on the downtown post office began and City Hall was built with emergency aid funds.
1937 Mayes Hospital, which was
built around the turn of the
century, was bought by Dr. R. E. Shands and renamed Shands Hospital.
1938 Irwin
Manufacturing Company began operation here.
1939 A new jail (behind the courthouse) was built with federal aid. The jail used prior to that (where the chancery court building is now) was taken for use by the County Extension Service.
The turn-of-the-century Henderson Building, which housed a number of commercial, retail and professional businesses over the years in addition to the drug store. Today it houses Jo Jo’s Cajun Restaurant. Below, a group of youths possibly wondering whether the water might be a bit chilly at the city swimming pool between South Central and Glade Avenue next to where the community center is today.
The Town’s Centennial and World War II 1940 The city celebrated its
Centennial Year July 18-21. The Selective Training and Service Act became law on Sept. 16 with John Davis appointed its clerk. The office was in the old jail building.
1941 The Selective Service office moved House.
to
Wells’
Boarding
1942-45 War bond drives begin with J.
G. Houston, Frank S. Wilbanks and the Rev. J. L. Tolbert serving as chairmen. Connie Davis served as Union County chairman of the aircraft warning service and citizens learned to “black out” their homes. Tires, gasoline, sugar, coffee and appliances were rationed. When the war ended, 44 service men from New Albany and Union 16 | New Albany Magazine 2026
County had given their lives.
1947 The bus station building was completed.
1948 Futorian
Manufacturing Company started up.
1949 The Legion Hut by the
fairgrounds was completed. The municipal swimming pool opened in the summer of 1949 with Coach Paul Davis as manager.
Industrial Growth Begins 1951 Memorial Gym was built across from New Albany High School on Apple Street. Jan. 1955 – The Union County Health Department moved into its new building at the corner of Main and Glade Streets. It had been housed in the old jail building.
1956 The National Guard Armory
at the fairgrounds was ready for use. The Miss. Hwy. Dept. Maintenance Building on Hwy. 78 E. was completed.
1957-58 The Jennie Stephens Smith
The Corps of Engineers decided to dredge and clean up the Tallahatchie River. The first canal was dredged in 1912 and redone in 1952 to create a straighter, open channel. Below is another photo of the city pool with the notation that the 65-year-old in the foreground is taking his first swimming lessons.
Library was built on Court Square. An addition to it was built in 1977-78 where old jail had stood. They moved into new building on King Street in November, 1984.
1958 Piper Impact Inc. began here
as National Impacted Metal Corp. The Community House was built in 1958. It burned in 1966 and was rebuilt and reopened in March, 1967.
1959 A $322,694 allocation for
a new Negro high school was made with 26 classrooms built, a cafeteria, auditorium and gym. Mississippi Federated Co-op, Coastal Chemical Corporation, U.S. Extrusion, and MFC Services Feed Mill industries were begun on Hwy. 15 North. The Duval Manufacturing Company started. The citycounty airport was begun.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 17
The City Expands 1960 The Laher Spring and Electric Car Corporation opened on Hwy. 78 West past Futorian.
1961 Master-Bilt Products begun
on Hwy. 15 North. A new high school was built on Hwy. 15 in 1961 and named for W. P. Daniel, long-time superintendent. The Junior High took over the old high school including grades six, seven and eight. Central Grammar took the old junior high space. A new cafeteria and more classroom space was added to Cleveland Street School and its name changed to Mattie Thompson.
1963 New Haven School was built.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol District Headquarters were occupied on Hwy. 15 South.
Flooding like this was not unheard of before the river was cleaned and the Riverside Service Station, about where Farm Bureau is today, just got wet. Below, Bootlegging could be a profitable, but dangerous, career in the 1950s. Here, Sheriff Jim Hines and another man, display their latest haul.
2,300 students and 85 teachers. Broken down, that was 1,445 white students and 53 teachers, and 855 black students and 32 teachers.
1969 New Albany Woodworking plant opened.
1964 1976 Furniture Frames began operation.
1966 Union County
General Hospital opened; Shands Hospital closed. Mesker Steel began on Hwy. 15 North.
1967 Ertel Mfg. Co. opened on
Hwy. 15 North. Oaks Country Club formally opened.
First National Bank moved to its new building across from the courthouse square. Parking meters were covered and a $500,000 street renovation program was approved by city aldermen. A tornado hit the county, which also experienced the driest year in 10 years. The Sunflower Food Store closed and Foodway Food Store opened in a new shopping center. The First Freedom Celebration was held. The old jail on courthouse block torn down to make way for library expansion.
1967 A $395,000 bond issue 1977 passed to build an additional wing to the junior high school. Enrollment in city schools was 18 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Beer was voted down in New Albany 1,451 to 760.
warehouse on Denmill Road. 1978 The old Shands Hospital became In January, the old Frisco Depot was gutted by fire and dismantled. The Union County Development Association bought a 68,760-acre industrial site. Construction began on a new Center firehouse. Douglas Powell was named postmaster. Aldermen vote to construct a new electric department
a federal aid office. New Albany Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church held first services in the new sanctuary on Hwy. 15 South The renaming of streets and renumbering system neared completion. The city completed buyout of Union Gas Company gas system. The Frisco Railroad replaced wooden bridges with
steel and concrete ones.
1979 Barclay Furniture opened.
Longtime downtown fixture Hitt’s Barber Shop closed. The city voted to renovate the old First National Bank building for city hall and awarded a $157,660 contract for the work. West Bankhead three-laning began. The New Albany Gazette was sold to out-of-state firm Landmark Community Newspapers. Tech Aerofoam began. The $300,000 Baptist Family Center construction began. Clark Street mission opened. The new city hall opened for business. The city facelift project began.
One of the city’s many full-service gas stations in the 1950s. This one was at the intersection of East Bankhead and Hwy. 15, where Manning’s Barbecue is today. Below, what is almost certainly a homecoming parade in the 1950s led by the New Albany High School Band and majorettes along Main Street.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 19
Changes in the Face of the City 1980 Work on the new $2
million Middle School began. Community Development Block Grant work near Ford School began. Hickory Springs closed. The sheriff ’s office had its first computer terminal instaIled. The county poor house closed. Census figures showed New Albany population to be 7,097. Victory Christian Academy opened
1981 The Rainey Hotel burned for
the second time. Hugh Clayton resigned after 44 years as city attorney. The old Rainey Hotel lot was turned into a city parking lot Study hall at B. F. Ford School, which was used as an elementary school before the new school was constructed on Sam T. Barkley Drive.
1983 Laher Spring Corporation Industrial bypass. Superior began after reorganization from the bankrupt Laher Spring and Electric Car Corporation. Charlie Harris became the first black city school board member.
Foam Products began in the new industrial park.
1984 Hallmarc Inn construction
Joe Cotton became the city’s first heart transplant patient. The Union County Literacy Council was formed. Linda Laher became the city’s first woman attorney.
begun. The Olympic Torch passed through New Albany. The library moved to new building on King Street. Mark Mitchell was ruled legitimate heir of the Mayes Estate following years of legal action and state law changed in the process.
1985 State funded kindergartens
began. Walter Johnson was elected mayor. The construction of Camp Zion Tabernacle began in Myrtle. The UCDA purchased 85.5 acres of land for an industrial park at the junction of Glenfield Road and North 20 | New Albany Magazine 2026
1986 Sam T. Barkley Drive opened.
1987 The city bought 42 acres of
land for $125,000 to be used as a landfill. Arnold Doom retired as county chancery clerk after 28 years. A Habitat for Humanity chapter started in May. Fire destroyed the old GM&O depot. Munsingwear Vasserette announced it would close. The landmark state four-lane highway program passed.
Memorial Hospital, Memphis, 1988 Tenn. Silver Oaks Furniture The Good Samaritan Center opened. Emma Wade was the first recipient of a Habitat House. Sylvia Owen was chosen for a national Democratic Party post. The old Shands Hospital was condemned. WilIiam D. Parham was hired as executive director of the UCDA. Concerned citizens worked to keep a hazardous waste processing plant out of the county. The city bought a new computer system. The unit system of county government was voted in. The former Fab Steel building on Hwy. 15 North was bought by supervisors to use as a central maintenance building for the unit system.
1989 The Daystop Motel on Hwy. 30
West was built. Former Gazette owner W. O. Rutledge died at age 78. County lake plans were being studied. Union County General Hospital was leased to Baptist
Company broke ground. Union Planters Bank, Memphis, bought First National Bank. A dropout program, Full Circle, began at Daniel High School. Freight Savers South announced plans to build a furniture distribution center here. The Huddle House Restaurant opened. Paradise Furniture Co. closed. Catholics announced plans to build a new church on Hwy. 15 South. Albany Apparel had a ribbon cutting.
1990 The E-911
emergency telephone system implementation began. Park Along the River grant money was received and work began. The New Albany Gazette celebrated its 100th birthday and the city had a 150th birthday party to kick off a year of sesquicentennial celebration.
The Second hundred Years Begin 1991 City Hall
underwent renovation in the former Bank of Commerce building and the Union County Historical Society was formed. Because of the Persian Gulf Crisis, local people tied yellow or red, white and blue ribbons on trees and mailboxes to show support for our troops. The Historical Society bought the former Catholic Church building on Cleveland Street to serve as the initial part of a museum after the church moved to its new building on Hwy. 15 South. The Park Along the River was improved and a road added in June and former New Albanian Steve Patterson announced candidacy for state auditor. Residents were given their new E-911 addresses in July to conform with the emergency telephone system. Plans were announced for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter and Food World grocery store to be constructed.
Later that year, Hickory Springs furniture purchased the former Denton Mills plant and city attorney Roger McMillin was elected to the state court of appeals.
1995 Local surgeon Dr. E. E. Bramlitt
The photo is not dated but playing dominoes has been a popular men’s pastime for decades. Players could be seen at the old fire department 75 years ago, or playing at easy-going businesses.
Plants were announced to build a new health department on Carter Avenue and the Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in October.
1993 1992 An arboretum was added to A new multi-million hospital expansion dedicated at Baptist Memorial and the endowment for excellence in education founded by the late Dean Provence was renamed in his honor. Local residents claimed victory when Heritage Cablevision restored WMCT Channel 5 to its lineup following vocal protests from the public; the move had been because Tupelo’s WTVA claimed NBC rights to the area. The Sportsplex got new lighting after its opening and New Albany ceased using its own landfill, the construction of which had been controversial. Solid waste would be going to the Three Rivers Landfill near Pontotoc instead.
the Park Along the River. City trustees discussed creation of an alternative school and Jitney Jungle purchased the former Food World store. Tom Cooper was elected mayor and the Sportsplex was dedicated that summer. Local singer Jerry Hunsucker received publicity over his song about a Bigfoot sighting and local residents petitioned to have the highway department restore the traffic light at Bankhead and Central. Legislator, attorney and historian Edgar Stephens, 77, died. A new section of the Hwy. 78 four-lane was opened at the end of the city bypass.
1994 Furniture pioneer Morris
Futorian, 86, died in January. The largest post oak in the nation, an estimated 225 years old, was cut down at the intersection of Main and Central. The first Frog-A-Nal to raise funds for the Dean Provence Endowment for Excellence in Education was held in February. A February ice storm paralyzed the area with some residents not having power restored for nearly 30 days. In April, the city began shipping solid waste to the Three Rivers facility and a storm-related fire damaged the Gazette. Long-time attorney and civic leader Hugh N. Clayton, 86, died. In August, a new math and science wing was dedicated at the high school and the city got new warning sirens.
died in March at age 65. The Union County Good Samaritans moved to their new home across from the high school. The city voted to pay half the cost of a study to create a county lake in April and former New Albany resident Stephanie Saul Bogdanich won the Pulitzer Prize for a Newsday story. Irwin B. Schwabe shirt factory officials declared the company was still viable in the face of other factories leaving the country, but Silver Oaks Furniture closed after a six-year run. B. F. Ford Principal Collett Cross won the Milken Foundation education award along with $25,000. Wal-Mart announced in July it would build a regional distribution center here and despite earlier assurance, Irwin B. Schwabe closed in September after 57 years. The former city hall was declared a historic building and River Oaks Furniture announced it would open in the former Silver Oaks building. Local merchants began meeting in November, concerned about commercial outward migration in the city.
1996 The Bank of New Albany
celebrated its centennial in January and a few weeks later the area saw ice, snow and twodegree weather but avoided the power losses that occurred two years before.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 21
A group of citizen and officials began work on a 25-year comprehensive plan in April and the next month, in response to merchants’ concerned, the city committed to join the Mississippi Main Street program. That summer, the Quanex Corp. purchased Piper Impact, BenchCraft Furniture was 20 years old and the new Wal-Mart Distribution Center was opened.
1997 The city’s comprehensive
plan was ready in January and residents were mounting an effort to keep the old downtown post office open despite construction of a new building east of town. In March a tornado moved up from the Martintown area, damaging or destroying 73 homes and injuring 17 people. The new New Albany Main Street program was unveiled that month. In mid-year, a petition was circulated asking for an election
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Renovation is underway at the closed Cine’ Movie Theater, originally the Magnolia. The owners donated the building to New Albany to serve as a civic center that reverted to its original name. Renovation was complete in 1998.
of the legalization of beer and light wine sales. The city passed a twopercent tax on accommodations, amusement and food prepared on site that would be used strictly to promote tourism. First United Methodist Church added to their building and a four-screen movie theatre was added to the community. That fall, the new law
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enforcement center was being readied and worked started on Tallahatchie Trails. Cary Weeden was named to head the Main Street program and the beer petition came up short of needed signatures.
1998 New Albany native Hudson
Hickman was named vicepresident of the international television division of MGM. That spring, city officials began to consider the use of downtown upstairs areas for residential use. Aldermen established a tourism committee to recommend use of the new tourism tax and the law enforcement center opened. The city annexed several small fringe areas in April adding slightly more than seven square miles. The museum benefited from a $100,000 appropriation from the state legislature and local law enforcement officers cautioned about growing gang activity in this area. Fire destroyed Superior Products, renovation of the new Magnolia Civic Center was nearly done and school officials were looking at a $253,500 shortfall. Bobby Johnson, 52, of the Mosley and Johnson Band, died while performing in August. Also that month, city schools approved use of drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities.
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The Paid in Full gospel quartet won a Grand Ole Opry competition to perform on the revered stage there, the Tallahatchie RiverFest, held in conjunction with the birthday of New Albany native William Faulkner, honored Morris Futorian, and the Historic Northside Neighborhood Association gained strength.
1999 Local residents gathered to
watch as huge pieces of equipment moved through town for the new Enron demand power generating plant at Pleasant Hill. The Boys and Girls Club was organized in March and city schools reported a superior Level 5 accreditation. Annexation was approved after a court test and a welcome center and office was opened at the sportsplex. After 50 years in business, Nell Ligon closed the Two Sisters Dress Shop. Work began on the museum expansion and the post office moved into the new building on East Bankhead. In July, the old Shands Hospital was finally demolished. It had been purchased by Dr. Shands in 1937 but parts of it had been the turn-of-the-century home converted by Dr. Mayes. The city received $555,000 for park expansion and tobacco was forbidden on all city school property.
2000 A January tornado damaged
60 homes and injured six people. That spring, the museum got its first permanent exhibit and Jill Smith was named director. BenchCraft announced it would phase out its New Albany operation. Jitney-Jungle closed and a group of Historic Northside citizens began to gain strength amid fears of increased crime and deteriorating rental housing in the neighborhood. New Albany officials decided they would build a new
This is what was left of Van-Atkins Department Store after it burned overnight in 2001, possibly due to a defective heater. The store, where Cooper Park is now, replaced Houston’s Dry Goods and carried a wide range of men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, shoes, jewelry and other items. Several other businesses located in the building were also lost in the fire.
elementary school.
2001 In March, 81 percent of the
district voters favored passing a $9.85 million bond to build a new elementary school and make improvements to the other schools. The landmark Van-Atkins stored burned, along with other businesses in the building, in January and voters were in favor of keeping the state flag. Locals reacted to the 9/11 attacks by contributing money and sending aid and personnel to affected areas. W. P. Daniel High School, named after the late superintendent, was renamed New Albany High School to help avoid confusion for people not familiar with the area.
2002 The city passed a sign
ordinance, primarily aimed at portable flashing-light models. In May, UNITE, a community development foundation and branch of the CREATE Foundation, was founded here. That summer, it was announced
that the former Mattie Thompson Elementary School, no longer needed by the city, would become a satellite campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College.
2003 Tallahatchie Trails opened to
expand the city’s already-envied downtown park area. The Northeast at New Albany campus opened, as did the city’s farmers’ market that summer. Plans were announced for a new downtown bridge across the Tallahatchie River.
2004 City schools scored nearly
100 percent proficiency in the Mississippi Curriculum Test and the UNITE Foundation prepared to accept its first grant applications. In March, a group was working to organize what would become the Tallahatchie River Players, the airport received a $156,000 grant for a new taxiway and the Mississippi-Tennessee Railroad closed. Piper Impact was put on the market in April and the Duke Energy plant was being
downsized. New Albany attorney Roger McMillin announced his retirement from the Mississippi Court of Appeals after serving less than two terms in order to become a private contractor in the reconstruction of Iraq. The local unit of the National Guard was put on alert in May and New Albany qualified as a Tree City. BMH-Union County opened its new women’s unit and engineers determined a clogged drain was responsible for a large sinkhole that appeared on Bankhead near the police department. It was announced the 155th would be deployed to Iraq in August, possibly to stay for a year, and the city received a $450,000 grant that would be used to provide water and sewer to the newly annexed area. Bettie Wilson was the state’s oldest person at age 114 and would eventually be the oldest living American before her death. Refugees arrived here from Hurricane Ivan and residents were concerned about gas prices being at a record high of $1.86 per gallon. Another alcohol petition was being circulated and city New Albany Magazine 2026 | 23
beautification leaders were calling for, and getting, action concerning unkempt property and buildings and abandoned cars and other items. Hwy. 78 was officially deemed an I-22 Corridor in November.
2005 New Albanians
were enthusiastic about the PUL Alliance’s “supersite” certification from TVA, greatly enhancing the likelihood of landing a major industry. In February, nine juvenile New Albany High School students were found to be printing and using counterfeit $5, $10 and $20 bills on home computer equipment. City officials were wondering whether their sign ordinance was too restrictive and ward lines were being redrawn partially as a result of the 2000 Census. Discussion continued on the proposed ordinance covering rental property and aldermen
24 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Blues icon Sam Mosley presents a keyboard used by his musical partner, Bob Johnson, to the Union County Heritage Museum. Johnson died while performing in 1998 but the Mosley and Johnson Band had already earned a place in blues history as well as a marker on the Mississippi Blue Trail.
expressed interest in building a “mini-coliseum” near the Sportsplex, approving advertising for bids. In March, one of the city’s oldest businesses, Hamilton Hardware, closed. Officials warned in May that time was running out to save
the former GM&O rail corridor and city officials went so far as to designate $1 million over time for the discussed mini-coliseum. That summer, dentist Dr. Ron Feather lost his life on a church mission trip to Honduras and seven others from here were injured in a truck crash.
August saw the arrival in New Albany of people fleeing from Hurricane Katrina and city aldermen officially dissolved the Park Commission, taking over the role themselves in much the same way they would assume tourism oversight.
2006 New Albany was first to
participate in the rail banking project that would lead to the creation of Tanglefoot Trail. Well-known local figure and long-time employee of Gray’s Drugs, Travis Loden, disappeared. Despite much speculation and theories of foul play the mystery was settled that fall when his vehicle was found in a ditch literally in sight of his driveway. The reason for his crash and death was never really determined.
2007 New Albany basked in the
publicity and optimism of Toyota’s announcing it would build an assembly plant at Blue Springs. A successful Northeast at New Albany satellite campus announced a building addition. The Bank of New Albany became BNA Bank along with its plans to move outside the county.
2008 The possibility of Tanglefoot
Trail was discussed more and the UCDA hired Bethany Dalton as tourism specialist. A group of westside residents opposed plans to construct an asphalt plant adjacent to an existing plant in a case that could carry on for years. Aldermen discussed possibly constructing a spray park in February and that month Vista III Media was purchased by Metrocast to provide cable TV service. The alcohol issue was being brought up again and work began on Toyota supplier Diversity Vuteq. The city appointed members to work toward having a Certified Local Government that would lead to a Historic Preservation Commission. The Northeast at New Albany campus expanded again and
This bare patch of dirt is now the location of the Union County Schools District Office. You can see the edge of the Union County Library to the left and in the back center is where the Tanglefoot Trail Welcome Center is today.
in May a tornado damaged homes on the west side of town, primarily on Honeysuckle Drive. That summer, the Mississippi Department of Transportation allotted $5.5 million for the railsto-trails project. The furor over the asphalt plant continued, New Albany learned it would be part of the Mississippi Blues Trail and a vote to legalize alcohol failed. Locals were disappointed to learn opening of the Toyota plant would be delayed indefinitely due to the economy.
2009 United Funeral
Service observed its centennial year and UCDA director Stephen Surles resigned to work for TVA. City officials talked about hosting the Cotton States baseball league and the area’s first garden show was deemed a success. Walgreen’s Drugs opened, failed mayoral candidate and former alderman Jerry Kennamore pleaded guilty to forgery involving absentee ballots. Worthington Cylinders purchased the Piper plant. Marshaun Braxton died as a result of accidental drowning
while on a mission trip with First United Methodist Church to Costa Rica. Aldermen decided to expand the sportsplex on the north side of Hwy. 78 and the historic sale barn burned in October.
2010 After several failed attempts,
beer and light wine sales were voted in in January. The Hampton Inn opened and the city adopted new building codes. Aldermen fired city attorney Bobby Carter after he helped file part of a class action suit against Toyota. Residents and officials expressed concern and disagreement over the issuance of a new map showing local flood plain areas. Save-a-Lot purchased the former Union County CoOp building (which had housed two grocery stores previously) and Imperial Trading purchased Union Grocery. Widespread flooding was reported in May, worsened by a levee break that put two feet of water in the New Albany Gazette building. MDOT broke ground on the four-lane expansion of Hwy. 15 through New Albany
and the local Red Cross chapter was closed by the state and national organizations. Toyota announced the plant would open and begin production of Corolla in the fall. Citizens spoke out on the need for a city pool, spurred on by an announcement that the Healthplex pool would close. Alderman Bill Tucker, 48, died after a lengthy illness and city officials passed a long-delayed ordinance to regulate and inspect rental property in the city.
2011 Walter Grace became director
of Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County in January. In March, city officials again began stepping up efforts to remove unsafe housing and Steve Coker was named fire chief. New Haven Center for Special Needs Adults announced plans for a new wing and BNA Bank committed $500,000 to the sportsplex over a 20-year period that would include renaming the facility BNA Bank Park. Smoking was prohibited in all public places, a wine and spirits sale petition appeared in October New Albany Magazine 2026 | 25
and the first Corolla rolled off the line in the Toyota plant during November. The year ended with an outpouring over the shooting death of Amanda Price and wounding of husband coach Ron Price during what appeared to be a burglary gone wrong.
2012 The latest election over sale of
wine and spirits again failed with the city remaining dry. City officials were asked to purchase and possibly demolish the trailer park between East Bankhead and Murrah Road, which had been cited as a recurring cause of drug and other problems, as well as where it was determined the accused killer of Amanda Price had lived. Work continued on Tanglefoot Trail and work also began for the final upgrades needed for Hwy. 78 through New Albany to meet interstate standards. Residents were granted free access to
the Code RED program that automatically calls locations in a warned area if dangerous weather is approaching or any other sort of alert needs to be sent. After many months of hearings, opposition, discussion and rewording, the city’s ordinance governing rental property was finally passed. Aldermen established a committee to study needs to better develop tourism and use tourism funds in the area but after a year’s work on the plan aldermen hired a director without using it. Yet another petition was circulated to vote on sale of wine and spirits, with more likelihood of passing since a change in the law allowed the vote to be in the city rather than county-wide.
2013 The sale of wine and spirits
became legal in the city and Tanglefoot Trail officially opened in September.
Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County announced plans for a $9 million emergency department. The sportsplex – now BNA Bank Park – turned 20 and long-time chief of police David Grisham decided to retire and not seek re-election. In November, Journal Publishing Inc. of Tupelo purchased The New Albany Gazette.
2014 In January, the city was rocked
by a series of explosions at the biodiesel plant at North Haven, resulting in school closures and fear of further damage. Later that year the new BMHUnion County emergency department opened. The Barretto husband and wife team who were charged in the death of an infant child and operation of a puppy mill, and who had been on the run for years despite being repeatedly featured on “America’s
Most Wanted” were found in the Northwest and brought back for trial. The Union County Heritage Museum announced plans for a nearly $2 million expansion to more than double the size of the building. Tanglefoot Plaza opened to become the new focus for users of the trail as well as a setting for city events. The city stepped up efforts to demolish unsafe housing and the oldest family-owned car dealership in the state, Parks Chevrolet, was sold to Barnes Crossing Chevrolet.
2015 After nearly 40 years of highway improvements, U.S. Highway 78 became I-22. The designation is the product of foresight by two New Albany public officials – John David Pennebaker, former Representative to the Mississippi legislature, and Zack Stewart, former Northern District
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Transportation Commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Pennebaker championed the $1.6 billion 1987 A.H.E.A.D four-lane highway program that began a concerted multi-phase effort to build more than 1,000 miles of new highways in Mississippi. Stewart led Phase IV of the program, called Vision 21, in 2002, which emphasized construction of highways based on a needs assessment. The board of directors of the Union County Historical Society broke ground July 2 for the $1.6 million expansion of the Union County Heritage Museum, planned for nearly six years. The 6,000-square-foot addition will include an extensive William Faulkner Library including other Mississippi writers and overlooking the Faulkner Garden, a room for exhibits designated “The Way We Work,” a larger alternating exhibit and meeting room with direct access to an outdoor patio, a kitchen, various offices and conservator storage, larger restrooms and a director’s office. Washington-based furniture manufacturer Emerald Home Furnishings announced in May its intentions to open a new plant location in the Denmill Industrial Park, southeast of New Albany. Emerald purchased the former Hickory Springs plant and is currently investing approximately $2 million to improve the facility in preparation for its opening. The company said it would primarily manufacture stationary sofas at first and expected to create 150 jobs initially. Mi Pueblo opened a new location on Highway 15, across from New Albany High School, earlier this year. In early December, the restaurant closed its former location on Bankhead to open a new, larger store just a few doors down. In addition, both Popeyes Louisiana Chicken and Zaxby’s announced intentions in May to open restaurants in New Albany. In September, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. purchased property
just off Coulter Cove, adjacent to the Hampton Inn but made no announcement about building a restaurant at the time. The City of New Albany installed a new arched bridge on the Tanglefoot Trail in early May to replace the former bridge that overlooked Main Street. The new bridge is 120 feet long and achieves a five-degree slope, which should raise it well above the height needed for trucks to pass safely underneath, as well as a poured concrete deck. The new bridge installation was less than $50,000 with Paul Smithey Construction removing the old bridge in exchange for the steel in it. New Albany Principal Lance Evans was named Mississippi Principal of the Year and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County received two service awards. Premier, Inc. recognized Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County with the Quest Award for High-Value Healthcare for providing outstanding patient care. The hospital was also named a Top Performer as part the Joint Commission’s Top Performer on Key Quality Measures recognition program.
2016 The Union County Heritage
Museum expansion was confirmed to be behind schedule
at 40 percent completion but still headed for a March 22 finish date according to museum director Jill Smith. The $1.1 million construction was to nearly triple the size of the museum, adding exhibit space, a Faulkner library, larger meeting room, administrative and storage space. The addition of displays and other items drove the cost up at least a few hundred thousand dollars more. As of the end of February, the Union County Library System effected a reduction in hours of operation and personnel hours, due to increased concerns over its budget. A local group of citizens seeking to establish an animal shelter in Union County moved a few steps closer to their goal in recent months. Known as the Union County Humane Society, the group said it has received nearly 5,000 signatures from New Albany and Union County residents to help form the society. Spokesmen for the group said that, thanks to private donations, it has recently reached its nonprofit status. The previous Saturday, in fact, the group received $1,200 and collected several animal-related items in donations at a fundraiser at WalMart. Attorney and former state representative John David Pennebaker died in March at age
72 having been in failing health for some time. Pennebaker represented District 14 from 1976 to 1992 when he decided to spend more time at home with family. Somewhat unexpectedly, Pennebaker returned briefly to politics in 1999 when he was appointed temporary chancery clerk following the resignation of the current clerk. But the FourLane Highway Bill of 1987, as it was called, drew him the most praise. Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County, formerly Union County General Hospital, turned 50 years old this month. Over the years the hospital has seen repeated expansion and added new services under the stewardship of the Baptist organization. Director of New Albany Main Street Association Vickie Duke submitted her resignation March 15. She left to take a position with the American Cancer Society. She had served as director for the past 10 years working with downtown projects such as Holiday Open House and creating awardwinning events including Arts, Beats and Eats. She has served as manager of the Magnolia Civic Center, co-coordinator of the Keep New Albany/Union County Beautiful program and City Beautification where she has help implement the decorative street signs and building lights New Albany Magazine 2026 | 27
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downtown throughout the city. Carly Wilbanks of New Albany has been named the director of the New Albany Main Street Association. Wilbanks attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology. During her time at MSU, Wilbanks served as the secretarial assistant to Dr. Byron Williams. In 2015, Wilbanks worked at Pacifica Enterprises, Inc. in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. as the administrative assistant to the chief financial officer and was most recently employed at Rutledge and Davis, P.L.L.C. City police announced they were going to institute a bicycle patrol on a limited basis, following consultation with the mayor and board. Chief Chris Robertson said the idea has been talked about for some time but now seemed ideal as a way of dealing with downtown illegal parking. Bike officers also patrol other appropriate areas such as Tallahatchie Trails, possibly Tanglefoot Trail within the city limits, the parks, sportsplex and at special festivals and other public events. A lightning strike damaged Calvary United Methodist Church. Fire appeared restricted to the attic with mostly smoke and some water damage to the building. Fire officials investigated and noted that if the blaze had not been spotted immediately about someone in the vicinity the church likely
could have been lost. The Magnolia Civic Center, moving into its 18th year and seeing growing success, began seeking a director serving at least part-time. A request from the civic center commission was brought to aldermen at their July meeting Tuesday. Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County announced the Baptist HealthPlex would transition to a new owner. Flex Fitness, LLP was to take over operations with a long- term goal is to make enhancements to the facility, and make the transition a seamless one for members. The Washington-based Emeral Furniture company held a formal ribbon cutting after a nearly $2 million renovation of the almost-derelict former Hickory Springs facility. About half the funding came from TVA and MDA sources and the rest from Emerald. The company is leasing the plant from Union County and in the process of buying it. Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County added another service that will allow area residents to receive treatment here without driving to other cities. Baptist officials formally opened a new cancer treatment center, the result of a $600,000 renovation to the former emergency department. Cancer patients have been able to receive care through the Jones Clinic but the new center will provide a wide range of treatment options short of extensive radiation therapy. The New Albany Gazette announced they would be
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moving to a permanent location. Now, the Gazette office is at 130 W. Bankhead St. in downtown New Albany. The address is the former office of Jed Morris Realty and, for many years, Hamilton Hardware. For the past six months the Gazette had operated out of temporary offices in the Bramlitt Shopping Center between RiteAid and Subway. The former New Albany Gazette building on Carter Avenue was sold to Barnes Crossing Chevrolet earlier this year because only a small part of the building was being used after printing of the newspaper moved to Tupelo. It was demolished the past week. The city building inspector’s office issued a construction permit for the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and site preparation for the popular restaurant had begun well before the end of the day. The location is beside the end of Coulter Cove, facing I-22. The restaurant is expected to open in May. Work was completed this past week on a $200,000 culvert
project to prevent flooding of Main Street under the Tanglefoot Trail bridge, a problem that had plagued the city for well over a half century. Mayor Tim Kent said the new, large culvert apparently works since it not only prevented overflow during a flash flood period Tuesday, but never really was at more than half capacity. A grant-funded project connected to this was burying culverts in the creek beside the library parking lot, converting the area into a downtown access path. (This information was compiled and updated from earlier histories of New Albany and Union County including those written by Edgar Stephens, Jr., Martha Medlin Holder, Donna Sue Thomas and Sara A. Coker; that appeared in the New Albany Gazette; and from the Union County Development Association. The update from 1990 on was done by J. Lynn West)
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Nature Knows Best
at Etta Hills Farm where they help the land heal itself SOPHIE MCDONALD Special to the New Albany Gazette Many have heard the phrase “you are what you eat”, but Etta Hills farm embodies the message. From purchasing the farm as a barren piece of land in 2021, to building a harmonious farm from the soil up, the Williams family has made it their personal project to restore and rebuild the ecosystem. Christopher Williams, managing partner at Etta Hills, is a seventhgeneration farmer whose family practices regenerative soil management. The Williams family believes soil is the foundation of everything and they chose to focus on what God has supplied them with. In the words of Christopher, “nature knows best.” The Williams family runs the farm on the principle that soil is the foundation of everything, and they even refer to themselves as “soil managers.” Etta Hills has blossomed using the 6, 3, 4 principles of regenerative agriculture: know the context, do not disturb the land, keep the soil covered, maximize diversity, keep living roots in the soil, and integrate livestock. While Christopher grew up in Starkville, his family owns farms around the country. After graduating from college at Mississippi State University, Chris decided it was time to go back to his roots. The Williams family takes pride in their legacy as farmers, and Dr. Allen Williams is considered a pioneer of regenerative agriculture. Christopher Williams is raising the eighth generation of farmers with his son and daughter. The Williamses emphasize the need of teaching children about agriculture and have held workshops for kids ages K-5 to visit the farm and learn about the
importance of agriculture. Etta Hills is very welcoming to visitors and is always eager to teach someone about farm life. Not only does Etta Hills offer free tours year-round, but they are also very
transparent about production and take pride in their animals. Their farm sells 100-percent grass-fed, grass-finished beef, lamb, pastured pork, pastured poultry, and more depending on
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 33
34 | New Albany Magazine 2026
the seasons. To keep the land and animals at their healthiest, Etta Hills moves the animals and rotates the land the animals live on a daily basis. This ensures the animals have clean grass to eat and allows for the livestock to fertilize the land naturally. Etta Hills makes an effort to not disturb the natural environment with chemical fertilizers. With the farm spanning a massive 800 acres, the animals are rotated around the entire area to not only ensure the land’s health, but the animals’ quality of life as well. Etta Hills borders the Holly Springs National Forest, which has many benefits including maximizing diversity of species and preventing the farm from drifting. The owners of Etta Hills take pride in their animals and make the circle of life enjoyable for all livestock on the farm. Not only do the animals look healthier, but they taste healthier as well. While Etta Hills does not sell their products to stores at the moment, they have a shop on the Etta Hills official website where customers can purchase a wide variety of meats and
produce. Everything on the farm gets repurposed in one way or another: cracked eggs get fed to the pigs, wood chips get spread on the soil for fertilization, and shelters get made on the farm with their own supplies. Christopher stated, “we call it regenerative because we are continuously healing, growing, and improving the ecosystem.” I had the opportunity to visit Etta Hills with my two younger brothers and the farm makes an effort to be inclusive to both older and younger audiences. The workers allow visitors to be hands-on with the small animals, such as chickens and geese, and keeps the tour educational with interesting facts along the way. After scheduling a visit, you are greeted at the main entrance before embarking on a two-hour journey along the property. Larger animals such as cows and donkeys
are kept in a large fenced area where they are welcome to roam around freely. While most are skittish around visitors, viewers still get the farm life experience watching the animals interact and go about their daily routines. Most of the smaller livestock on the farm have been handled regularly and are fairly calm to being petted and loved on by new people. Any visitor is welcome to hold the chickens, and this can be the highlight of a child’s visit. Not only does this keep the children engaged on the tour, but it also helps encourage my brother to be more gentle and caring with animals. Despite Etta Hills being purchased only five years ago, the owners have devoted their time and energy into bringing the life back into the land. In late January of 2026 a severe ice storm, commonly referred to as Winter Storm Fern, hit the surrounding areas and caused damage to New Albany Magazine 2026 | 35
Front left to right: Beverly Baker, Judy Wingo, Donna Rakestraw. Back left to right: Pat Taylor, Shellie Chunn, Benny Rakestraw, Cary Saxon. Rodney Shands, Danny Jarvis, Cathy Garrett, Bro. Roger Stacy, Daniel Garcia
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both the animals and land, but through the owners’ constant care the farm is back to thriving and healing. Etta Hills allows the land to heal itself and help along the way. Not only does the owners using as natural resources as possible and focusing on the animals’ natural benefits to the land help the soil grow, but it helps the soil itself not become codependent on chemicals to thrive. The Williams family emphasizes the need to teach people about the importance of agriculture, especially children, because as Christopher puts it, “if they don’t protect it, who
will?” Visiting the farm was very insightful and through the help of Christopher and those who devote their efforts to the land I personally have been encouraged to research where the food my family eats comes from. As you go about your daily life, I strongly suggest you take the time to learn about the land you live on and the meat you eat, and Etta Hills is more than happy to help you with that. Thank you Etta Hills for taking the time to educate my brothers and me. Etta Hills Farm is at 90 CR 253, 38627, off Hwy. 30 West about 18.6 miles from New
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New Albany Magazine 2026 | 39
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Sweet, playful, and full of charm, this floral mini dress is made for sunny days and blossoming moments. Featuring delicate floral details with the perfect feminine fit, it’s a must-have from Peach Blossom Boutique located in Historic Downtown New Albany. Cute, classy, and radiant.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 41
Summer is wearing Darling Effects pajamas from Between Sisters located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
42 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Summer in Darling Effects pajamas and house shoes from Between Sisters, Located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
Summer wearing sunglasses from Katie Loxton at Between Sisters, located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
This is Emily McCarthy Royale Shift Dress features a classic jacquard print in a bold blue and white floral tapestry pattern. Available at Main Street Linen located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
This is the DH New York Pal Sweater Dress Combo in Sandstone. Available at Main Street Linen located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
Fantasy Floral top is white short-sleeved blouse with a colorful floral pattern and a navy and red striped V-neck trim. Available at Main Street Linen located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
Emily McCarthy Bonnie Top in Pink Carnation Stripe. It features a classic pink and white pinstripe pattern, a structured stand-up collar, relaxed elastic dolman sleeves, and a distinctive bright red contrast trim along the button-down front placket. Available at Main Street Linen located in Historic Downtown New Albany. New Albany Magazine 2026 | 43
Sweet, stylish, and effortlessly chic! This adorable outfit features a textured ivory cardigan top paired with the cutest sage green wide-leg pants with bold white polka dots. The lightweight fabric and relaxed fit make it perfect for everything from brunch with the girls to casual Fridays at the office. Just add your favorite sandals and accessories for a look that’s both comfortable and on-trend! Jumpin Jax Boutique in Main Street on New Albany. 44 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Kensley is bringing all the summer vibes in this gorgeous floral top and skort set! Bright colors, bohoinspired details, and a flattering fit make this the perfect blend of comfort and Southern chic style. Stop by Obsessions Boutique & Salon and shop the look and many others!
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 45
Blending soft structure with artisanal detail, this jacket combines twill and denim for subtle texture and modern appeal. This denim set is perfect for MS weather, year-round! Pair it with one of our custom one-of-a-kind scarf necklaces for a truly chic look from Merle Norman & More right here in New Albany!
46 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Here are just a few of our beautiful and versatile pieces from Grace and Gray Boutique! On the far left, we have a gorgeous Voi blue and cream striped top with embroidered flowers paired with the cutest white Jodiful pants with scalloped pockets. The shoes are one of our best sellers, Corky’s! Super comfortable and easy-to-wear wedges for any occasion! In the middle, we have a Carole Christian dress with the prettiest floral pattern and a scalloped neckline that also has a bow that ties in the back for that classic summer look. A perfect dress for weddings that is paired with another one of our best Pierre Dumas wedges. Again, very practical and comfortable while still being super stylish! And finally, on the far right, we have another Carole Christian dress that is short and super cute, also perfect for weddings, church, and many other summer activities! This dress is paired with another pair of Pierre Dumas shoes that have been a customer’s favorite! Grace & Gray Boutique located in Historic Downtown New Albany, MS
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 47
We’re crushing on this combo! The embroidered flutter sleeve top paired with these fabulous pink wide-leg pants creates the sweetest statement look. Dress it up or keep it casual but either way, you’ll be turning heads! Jumpin Jax Boutique in Main Street on New Albany.
48 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Effortlessly chic and endlessly versatile, this cream romper features a flattering silhouette with a stunning open-back detail for the perfect statement look. Dress it up or keep it casual, either way, Peach Blossom Boutique has you blossoming in style. Simple, classy, and made to turn heads. Located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
Turn heads in this elegant floral midi dress featuring delicate bow details and a timeless feminine silhouette. Perfect for brunches, showers, and every classy moment in between, only at Peach Blossom Boutique located in Historic Downtown New Albany. Blossom beautifully with effortless charm and confidence.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 49
The flattering button-front detail, matching belt that cinches the waist just right, and delicate eyelet accents make this dress both timeless and effortlessly chic. Pair it with your favorite sandals for brunch, weddings, church, or your next summer getaway! Jumpin Jax Boutique in Main Street on New Albany. 50 | New Albany Magazine 2026
Ripley Ann Willlard is wearing the Brookhaven Bow Bathing Suit in Rockefeller Royal/ Richmond Red. This can be found at Bead Shack located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
Ripley Ann Willlard is wearing a Lullaby Set heirloom bubble. You can find this at Bead Shack, located in Historic Downtown New Albany.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 51
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New Albany The Future of
A Historic City Rising to Meet a New American Century New Albany Magazine has included a history of our community to help commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary. But perhaps more important, we need to look to our community’s future as well. Toward that end, we asked Community Development Director Billye Jean Stroud, a champion of revitalization, to share her vision for our future. We are seeing many improvements to our quality of life and contributions to growth and prosperity being implemented now, but more can be done. Accompanying Stroud’s vision are some illustrations of what parts of the
city could become with vision and action. They mostly focus on the downtown area and what is known as the Railroad District – the area across the tracks. Some of these improvements will, of course, call for substantial investment and possibly take years. On the other hand, some of the suggestions would cost comparably little and could be done today. Although New Albany is already acknowledged as a growing, leading city in Mississippi, bringing these visions to life would contribute to making New Albany a stellar city in the entire Southeast.
Here is her vision: As our nation pauses once again to celebrate its birthday, a moment to honor the past, take stock of the present, and imagine the future, New Albany, Mississippi stands at a defining crossroads. This historic community, shaped by river, rail, resilience, and remarkable people, is stepping boldly into a new era of revitalization and opportunity. The plans now underway are not merely projects; they are a vision for what a thriving small American city can become in the decades ahead.
A River Reborn The Tallahatchie's Next Chapter The Tallahatchie River has always been the quiet storyteller of North Mississippi—carrying with it the memories of generations, the movement of goods, and the rhythms of life. Today, New Albany is embracing the river as a catalyst for regional renewal. The revitalization of the Park Along the River, a transformative $6 million investment, is restoring the natural
beauty of this eleven acre green space while preparing it for the next century of recreation, conservation, and community gatherings. Trails, overlooks, native plantings, and new public amenities will reconnect residents and visitors to the waterway that first gave New Albany its purpose. But the vision stretches far beyond city limits. A new regional documentary
project is underway to capture the stories of the Tallahatchie—its people, its history, its triumphs, and tragedies. This film will elevate the river’s significance not only for New Albany, but for every community along its winding path. It is an invitation for the world to rediscover a river that has shaped culture, commerce, and identity across the Mississippi Hills.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 53
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54 | New Albany Magazine 2026
The Tanglefoot Trail A Global Gateway for Outdoor Adventure Already beloved by locals, the Tanglefoot Trail is emerging as one of the South’s premier outdoor destinations. Stretching through forests, fields, and historic towns, the trail draws cyclists, hikers, and nature
enthusiasts from across the country—and increasingly, from around the world. New Albany’s strategic promotion of the trail positions the city as the northern gateway to a forty-four mile corridor
of adventure. With new trail adjacent businesses, improved signage, and expanded programming, the Tanglefoot is becoming a magnet for eco tourism and a powerful driver of the local economy.
With a little effort, alleys could be made to become more pedestrian-friendly and suitable for various activities. Shown in the alley that runs from behind Blue Magnolias Brad Company to behind Southern Traditions, as well as the alley that runs parallel to Jackson and Creighton, CPA.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 55
Railroad Roots, Reimagined Few places in Mississippi can claim a railroad heritage as rich as New Albany’s. The historic railroad yard, once the beating heart of industry and commerce, is now poised for a renaissance. Plans to redevelop the yard blend practicality with preservation: • Modern infrastructure to support future industrial growth. • Adaptive reuse of historic structures • Interpretive exhibits that tell the story of rail in shaping the region • New public spaces that invite residents and visitors to explore, learn, and gather. This project honors the past while preparing for the economic opportunities of tomorrow—turning a once utilitarian space into a cultural and tourism asset. And the future expansion of New Albany’s historic downtown district.
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What is now largely empty or unused buildings could become a vibrant pedestrian shopping and dining area, increasing the downtown footprint and attraction to visitors and locals alike.
Just north of the corner shopping area there would be room for a boutique hotel, another means of attracting visitors to the downtown area.
The Railroad District could also see construction of apartments to supplement those already downtown with a walking-distance alternative.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 57
The Faulkner Corridor Stories Waiting to be told
New Albany’s literary legacy is unmatched. As the birthplace of William Faulkner, the city holds stories that shaped American literature—and many that have yet to be shared. The emerging Faulkner Corridor aims to change that. Through interpretive sites, walking routes, public art, and partnerships with the Union County Heritage Museum, the corridor will illuminate the landscapes and experiences that influenced Faulkner’s early life. It will also lift the untold stories of the people, neighborhoods, and cultures that shaped the broader region. This is not just tourism—it is cultural stewardship.
58 | New Albany Magazine 2026
The empty former car dealership and adjacent buildings could receive facelifts and interion renovations to bring them into the 21st Century.
Historic Neighborhoods Connected to thriving downtown
Two of New Albany’s anchor neighborhoods have recently earned placement on the National Register of Historic Places, a milestone that affirms their architectural and cultural significance. With new future initiatives in investments in walkability, sidewalks, lighting, and streetscape improvements, these neighborhoods will soon be seamlessly connected to the historic downtown where the community gathers for festivals, shopping, dining, and fellowship.
Downtown New Albany is quickly becoming one of the region’s most sought after shopping destinations—a place where charm, creativity, and commerce collide in all the right ways. As boutiques, specialty shops, and locally owned businesses continue to flourish, demand for space has surged, pushing downtown real estate to a premium and signaling a powerful shift in the city’s economic momentum. This growth is fueling an exciting expansion: a downtown life with new restaurants,
vibrant retail, downtown living, shared community spaces, and a nightlife scene that feels fresh, modern, and unmistakably cool. What was once a quiet historic district was transformed into a dynamic hub where people gather to shop, dine, listen to music, meet friends, and experience the energy of a small Southern city on the rise. This is the future of small town living: historic charm paired with modern connectivity.
Since Carter Avenue is the nominal gateway to downtown New Albany, color could be added to the surroundings in addition to landscaping.
Simple, economical wooden lattice screens could be used to camouflage the rear of buildings or other areas visible to visitors travelling along Carter Avenue. New Albany Magazine 2026 | 59
Parking areas and landscaping could be added along Main Street and Cooper Park expanded. Officials are already planning to address the safety issue on Main Street due to its narrow width. 60 | New Albany Magazine 2026
A Sustainable Community Safe, Healthy and Educated
New Albany’s long term success depends on more than tourism and revitalization. It rests on the strength of its people and institutions. • Public safety initiatives continue to ensure that New Albany remains one of the safest communities in the region. • Healthcare access is expanding, with local providers and regional partners working to meet the needs of a growing population. • Education remains a cornerstone, with powerhouse institutions—from early childhood programs, A rated K-12 to community college partnerships—preparing the next generation for success in a changing economy. These pillars of sustainability ensure that New Albany’s growth is not only possible, but lasting.
Some existing structures such as this one on Cleveland Street could be renovated into a new business with landscaping and pedestrian areas nearby.
A City Moving Forward - Together As America celebrates another year of independence, New Albany is writing its own new chapter—one rooted in heritage, strengthened by community, and driven by a bold vision for the future.
This is a city honoring its past while embracing innovation. A city investing in its people, its places, and its possibilities. A city ready to welcome the world to the banks of the Tallahatchie, the paths of the Tanglefoot, the stories of
Faulkner, and the heart of a community that continues to rise. New Albany’s future is bright—and it is just beginning.
New Albany Magazine 2026 | 61
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