For those of us who are followers of Ernie Brents’ Facebook page, we have seen dozens of precious memories of Senatobia from days gone by, from the mid-1800s up to now. Pardon me if I use Ernie’s page to editorialize a bit, but these old photos have made me do some thinking.
Are we leaving downtown Senatobia with local businesses that our children and grandchildren will remember fondly? Will they eat at a place like Roy’s Café, watch local craftsman like Lee Neal repair a boot, or walk to town to shop at Ben Franklin or with Mrs. Ruby Lyon at Volunteer Grocery?
Even though those businesses are long gone, Senatobia is beginning to see growth in downtown. Just recently we have seen a beautiful mural come to life on the side of the old Varner’s Building, the future home of Community Pharmacy and Soda Fountain thanks to funds from the city and painted by artist Cristen Barnard. With funding from Sycamore Arts, another mural by artist Vitus Shell graces the wall of the Pocket Park at the corner of Main and Ward.
Tate Nutrition, which sells nutritious teas and drinks, also opened its doors on Main Street.
On Front street, The Delta Steakhouse opened in the building formerly occupied by The Loft, and in my day, home for the Mississippi State Extension programs and U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Next door Is the beautiful home décor space of Wheat and Willow. This building had many other occupants including a funeral home, flower shop, and in the early days an Opera House.
The Five Star City Fest is growing each year, Market on Main is in its second year, and Movie Night in Gabbert Park is a hit. Thanks Senatobia Main Street. So….looks to me like we are leaving our children with a downtown that will spark sweet memories down the road.
And my second point is…Ernie tells me his collection of historical photos and memorabilia were collected from old newspaper clippings, found on microfiche, downloaded from the internet, and in old yearbooks.
With small hometown papers dying across the country, what historical documents are we leaving? All across the country people have collected newsprint clippings from of their son’s little league team, award-winning vegetables and livestock, groundbreaking ceremonies for churches and buildings, and countless more events. These occasions may not have been national news material, but they are stored in frames, scrapbooks, old trunks and boxes belonging to people who treasured them.
I’m not against new technology. And I think that looking at the events of the past keeps us grounded and tells us who we are, but we also need to look at today and into the future. Where will people a half century from now find a photo of a church built in the 2000s, or an article describing a Garden Club meeting that their Great Aunt had held at her home….maybe a home that doesn’t exist.
Hats off to the remaining small papers, especially the Tate Record. And thanks for the memories Ernie Brents and David Grisham’s Senatobia History and Landmarks Facebook page.
PS: If I left out a new business, forgive me.
