In this capstone course Southern Studies majors were encouraged to look beyond Oxford and discover the unique cultural, historical, and social identities of small towns in North Mississippi. After field trips to Holly Springs, New Albany, and Water Valley they were asked to create photo essays featuring one of these communities.
Learn more about their work below.
Abandoned Mississippi Industrial College by Skylar Lynch
“Photo essay capturing the beauty of The Mississippi Industrial College before it is gone for good.”
Black Soil, Deep Roots: The Agricultural Heart of Holly Springs, Mississippi by Shelby Friedrichs
“Holly Springs, Mississippi was an agricultural gold mine back in the 1800s. This is truly how it gained its popularity. Back in 1855, Holly Springs popularity boomed when the Mississippi Central Railroad was built, making it a trading hub for the South during the Civil War. A few years later, it was connected to other major cities through the Kansas City, Memphis, and Birmingham Railroad. Due to its geographical location and rich soil, it became a mecca for crops such as rice, soybeans, corn, and especially cotton. Cotton is what grey and puts this city on the map. During the Civil War, Union General Ulysses Grant used Holly Springs as a supply location and headquarters. With the winter season being the “dead” season for farming most crops, many people are not farming so much. of what I have done here is shown what it is like when there is not much growing, but where there is death, new life will soon begin. The fields you see in these photographs will be filled with lively crops come May and June.”
Why Water Valley? by Carter Bennett
“Located just thirty minutes outside of Oxford sits the town of Water Valley, MS. With a population of around 3,000 residents, this is one of the smaller towns in the state. It sits right off the highway, and you can miss it if you aren’t paying attention. It’s small downtown is filled with local businesses. Driving through you have the opportunity to see local restaurants, an art gallery, a railroad museum, and a drug store that feels like you’re stepping back into the 1900s. Time feels like it slows down when you step inside the city limits. For the past few months I have gotten the opportunity to explore this town and interview some of the residents. I have had the pleasure to interview people who have lived here for over 50 years and some that have spent less than 10. My purpose is to figure out why people choose Water Valley. Is it the cheap property value? The proximity to Oxford? Or does this town have something special that really draws people in? I found multiple different answers to my question, but as I interview these people the reoccurring answer was that there is something special about this town.”
Closed Until Further Notice by Jack Hope
“Finding yourself driving down East college avenue and South market street it’s hard not to see the evident dilapidated state this town finds itself in. Both Mississippi state government and more local government can be blamed for this derelict state of this once college centric booming town. From the now defunct Mississippi Industrial College, to the empty storefronts, and the continual lack of funds for basic utilities have all led to this new condition Holly Springs finds itself in. As you will come to find out however, Holly Springs does not quit.”
Columns and Spires: Holly Springs Architecture by Tara Watts
“For this photo essay, I explored the rich architectural history of Holly Springs, Mississippi, focusing on the Greek Revival and Gothic Revival styles that define some of its most iconic homes. I began my project with broad, sweeping shots of four historic houses—Hamilton Place, Montrose, Walter Place, and Oakleigh—to capture their full grandeur and establish a sense of place. From there, I moved in closer, photographing the distinct details that make each house unique: the stately columns of Greek Revival homes, the pointed arches and intricate woodwork of Gothic Revival structures, and the other elements that reveal the careful design choices of the 18th century.
Capturing these images came with its challenges. Lighting was often unpredictable, and some angles were difficult to access without disrupting the natural setting or private property. I had to experiment with different lenses, distances, and perspectives to highlight the architectural features accurately while maintaining a balanced composition. Despite these obstacles, this process allowed me to look more closely at the craftsmanship and artistry that make these homes enduring symbols of Holly Springs’ architectural heritage.
Through this essay, I aim to bring the details and grandeur of these historic structures to life, showing how columns and spires tell the story of a town shaped by both classical elegance and Gothic imagination.”
Main Street Enterprise: Water Valley, Mississippi by Ella Koecke
“While traveling to different small towns that are right outside the “Velvet Ditch,” I couldn’t help but notice how quaint, charming and peaceful the towns were. So close in distance to the hustle and bustle that we see everyday in Oxford, these towns and its people are so content with their slow moving lifestyles. Upon arriving in Water Valley, Mississippi, just thirty minutes South of Oxford, there is a darling downtown Main Street lined with architecture dated back to the 19th century. Within these buildings are some of Water Valley’s most beloved small businesses. Similar to the “Hallmark” feel of Oxford, yet far less crowded and populated.
As a small business supporter, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight small businesses located on Water Valley’s Main Street. Within my Capstone project, you will find some of Water Valley’s most valued small businesses through photographs and self-narrated profiles. This project explores how local entrepreneurs preserve Southern traditions while adapting to modern challenges. Main Street Enterprise celebrates the creativity, resilience, and sense of community that define small-town Southern living, and highlights how businesses contribute to the economic and cultural development of Water Valley, reflecting community and heritage.”
Made and Found in Water Valley, Mississippi by Rebecca Johnson
“This photo portfolio invites you into the heart of Water Valley, Mississippi, a small railroad town famous for its community and locally owned shops. I set out to explore the people of Water Valley, but more importantly, I aimed to photograph local businesses, shop owners, and small moments involving people, with an emphasis on what these people buy and sell, and to explore the overall relationship surrounding consumerism.”
Civil War Ear and Slavery Era in Holly Springs, Mississippi by Evan Hogan
“During my time doing this project, I have realized many things, one of which is that Holy Springs is a very private and quiet town that wants to forget its horrible past. To me, all history is important, and it should not be forgotten but remembered so that we do not make the same mistakes as the past. For this project, I chose a very hard subject for many, which is diving into the history of holy springs during the Civil War and the slavery era. For this eproject, I was very interested in the civil war aspect, but then slowly realized I was more interested in the slavery aspect. The town has a lot of history from that era, which we learned in class on our field trip to holy springs and meeting with Mrs. Godard. Behind the big house is where I did most of my research because it has elements of both the Civil War and the slavery era. From the hidden stairs that the enslaved people had to go through to the musket hole in the wall, behind the big house, there is a lot of history. The main part of the project was to show what people choose to ignore and to also put the viewer in the perspective of the enslaved person during that time period.”
