Is it really worth it?

Honey and I received a gift certificate to a well known restaurant in Greenville, we decided that we had better use it so if they were affected by the flood. We took my Dad and off to Doe's we went.

The food was marvelous, I mean really it can't be beat but the surroundings. I think that they are trying to preserve history and believe me it is the same as in 1941, read more below. After eating there I am sick and I think it is allergies due to the old building and now I am thinking was it really worth it?

So if you want a LARGE great steak and atmosphere's do not bother you come to Greenville, MS the home of Doe's!

 

The History:

Doe's Eat Place was established in 1941 by Dominick "Doe" Signa and his wife Mamie. Doe's Father moved to Greenville in 1903 and opened a grocery store in the building that now serves as the restaurant. The family lived in a house behind the store. The grocery which the Signa Family called Papa's Store did well until the 1927 flood. After that, Big Doe Signa went into bootlegging to help the family get back on its feet. After several years he sold his 40 barrel still for $300.00 and a Model T Ford. Around 1941 Mamie received a partial recipe for hot tamales. She improved the recipe and began selling them. That was the beginning of Doe's.

At first Signa a ran a honky tonk in the front part of the store. It was strictly for blacks. He had things like buffalo fish and chili. Ironically, the "carriage" trade arrived by the back door, like segregation in reverse. One of the local doctors began coming for a meal between calls. Big Doe would cook him up a steak and feed him in the back. Pretty soon the doctor brought another doctor then a lawyer and before he knew it Doe had a regular restaurant in the back. After calling in family and in-laws to help with his thriving restaurant, he eventually closed the honky tonk and focused on the eat place.

Big Doe Signa retired in 1974 and turned the business over to his sons Charles and Little Doe. Today they still carry on the family tradition of greeting customers in the front kitchen that was the original honky tonk. Though time has taken a toll on the building, it only adds to the atmosphere of dining at an old family restaurant where the true authenticity of the 1940's grocery and restaurant remains.

Mamie passed away November 5, 1955 and Doe Sr. on April 29, 1987.

I do love the history of the MS Delta!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon.

History of Carrollton

There's not much happened with me since attending the Thacker reunion. I'm getting ready to go to the farm and celebrate Punkin's 1st birthday so stay tuned I know there will be lots of photos coming soon.

I've been reading up on the history of Greenwood and Carrollton. Here is some of the information I have found that I thought was really interesting. Enjoy

The town the railroad bypassed in 1889 is almost untouched by the twentieth century, thanks to the commitment of the citizens of Carrollton to revive and restore their historic town. Their appreciation of its past has inspired many residents to restore buildings a century and a half old, and a love for historic Carrollton has even brought former residents home to open new businesses.

"Carrollton was on the stagecoach,route from Memphis to New Orleans, " said Wilton Neal, tax assessor. That's the sort of thing you grow up knowing if you grow up in Carrollton, or in North Carrollton as Wilton did. And it's the sort of thing that rolls off your tongue whether you grew up there, lived there in the summers, or adopted Carrollton as your own town.

In recognition of the community's efforts to preserve Carrollton's history, the whole town was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1976 as an historic district. As an historic district, Carrollton's buildings, landscaping, fences, setting, and the confederate monument on the courthouse grounds, are on the register. But even as the town strives to preserve its past with museums and restored homes, the historic buildings are housing thriving new businesses, as well.

One new business located on Highway 17, off Highway 82 between Winona and Greenwood is the Peppercorn Grill, owned by Shelly and Andy Rone. This bustling restaurant serves just about everything you could want, and the menu says if you don't see something you want, just ask. If you aren't craving a burger, chicken, or Philly cheese steak sandwich, a waitress will quickly tell you that kabobs and frog legs are available.

At the entrance of town is the Merrill Museum. The museum is proud to possess the largest collection of photographs and memorabilia from the family of Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential hopeful. Senator McCain's great-grandfather and namesake, John McCain, Sr., was once sheriff of Carrollton. Recently, CNN filmed the museum and aired the show before the election in November.

Sheriff McCain was also the grandfather of Elizabeth Spencer, a critically acclaimed novelist, who wrote her memoirs in Landscapes of the Heart, which offers a look at Carrollton when its population was 608--twice what it is now.

The home where Spencer wrote her memoirs is not far from the recently renovated Sullivan House in Carrollton. The Sullivan House, was restored this past summer by Carrollton resident Wessie Gee, and "when the preservation ladies Carrollton Historic preservation, heard about the renovation blessing, they began planning," says Gee. They served cold fruit punch, homemade sandwiches, and cookies to thank the many people who helped Gee with the restoration.

"There was no blueprint," Gee recalls. "We had to figure out how to redo it as we went. The house is as original as possible, other than the addition of the kitchen."

Gee's Store 

Lexington St. Gee's Store is the oldest business in Carroll County under the same name.

This community-wide passion for restoration has drawn attention from around the state. Todd Sanders, architectural historian with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, claims that "Carrollton is one of my favorite places to be because of the energy and all the restoration. Not too long ago we were worried about Carrollton. Then citizens began to realize what a special place it is."

Carrollton received media attention this year when the first new business on the square, Carroll County Market, was featured on the Mississippi Roads show during Walt Grayson's visit to Carrollton. Co-owned by three relatives who have come home to Carrollton, Carroll County Market is a unique dining and music venue.

"We've had tremendous success on Saturdays," says part-owner Glenda Jones. "People come from all over--Jackson, Greenwood, Grenada--and they all say the same thing: 'We love this place'."

Saturday nights, Glenda's brother, Cecil Abels, and her son, Greg Jones, also part-owners, book live bands. Nash Street, a bluegrass band from Starkville, played at the Carroll County Market before capturing the $100,000 top prize in a national contest in Nashville. The blues, bluegrass, and country music are a good fit both for the customers and the Carroll County Market decor. A sign inside reads, "This is not a museum ... all this junk is for sale."

Nestled next door to the Carroll County Market is another new business that opened in April. Miss Sippy's Coffee Shop and Mercantile, owned by Betty Ray, was named with her grandfather in mind, as he once was in the mercantile business in Carrollton. Although the name says coffee shop, sandwiches, salads, plate lunches, and desserts are served as well. Ray's guest book has visitor's signatures from towns all over Mississippi and out of state documenting the shop's popularity. When Ray moved back to Carrollton, she also purchased her great-great grandfather Captain William Ray's house.

Captain Ray House

110 W. Washington St. The home was built prior to 1844. Remodeled for William Ray during the 1850's adding a second story. Scenes from the movie "The Reivers" were filmed here.

Neighboring Miss Sippy's is Zona Studio and Gallery. Zona Pilgreen opened the studio as an outlet for local artists, channeling her desire to restore the building and give it a function.

Offering art classes for children and adults, the shop also hosts painting workshops conducted by instructors from New York.

The last storefront on the square is the newest business, Merganzers, named after the Merganser duck, is owned by Paige and Scotty Thornton. The gift and novelty shop features the work of local potters and artists, jewelry, body care products, designer tote bags with umbrellas to match, and many other items.

Across the street, Ye Olde Town Water Department has gotten a face-lift. The building, owned by Linda McGregor and leased to the city, was eligible for a renovation grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History because at one time it housed the city hall.

Lum Reek, another historical fixture in Carrollton, was recently restored by Libba and Tommy Goodman. Tommy is a retired architect and teaches at Mississippi State University. Their home was named after a Scottish toast, "Lang may ye lum reek," which means "long may your chimney smoke."

"About all we had to start with was smoke," Goodman said. "The floor was dirt and termites had eaten the floor boards. We had to tear everything out, number the wall boards, save the nails, re-insulate, and put the boards back the way they were."

Lum Reek was originally a two-room dog-trot when it was built in 1839-1840. The second floor, added in 1850, gave the home a neoclassical look. The Goodman's added a kitchen, den, bedroom, and bathrooms to the house, but they were careful to retain elements from the home's origins. The home's original faux grain doors are in the upstairs bedroom, and pieces of wood from the back porch walls line the walls of the den.

The Carroll County Antiquities Society recently obtained ownership of the Conservative newspaper office off the square, and they have a 99-year lease on the old jail that is no longer in use since the building of the new jail in Vaiden. "We've talked about making the Conservative office into a welcome center and the old jail into a place for artists; maybe with some rooms fixed for out-of-towners," said Glenda Jones. "But the Merrill Museum is in the worst condition. We have to concentrate on that first."

Masonic Lodge  

Located on Lexington Street. Organized in 1834. The present building was constructed in1899. 

 The work is ongoing to restore, protect, and treasure the buildings in Carrollton. The Masonic Lodge, one of the oldest buildings still being used in the state, is currently being restored. Wessie Gee is also working on another home, Seven Gables. Did new businesses come because of the restoration of old buildings or vice versa. Whatever the answer, the result is preservation of a remarkable, historic Mississippi town.

 
Carroll County Courthouse
Lexington St. Built in 1876 after the first building burned. It houses a complete set of County records.

.J.Z. George Law Office E. Washington St. Built in 1838

Community House

Lexington St. Built in 1936 out of native pine logs with WPA labor. Mr. W. D. Felts was the contractor. The Community House is jointly owned by the Town of Carrollton and the Board of Supervisors for the County.

McEachern House

Lexington St. Built in 1907 for the McEacherns. The roof of this house was to be steep enough that no leaks would ever occur. Now owned by Farrish Jenkins and used as an antique shop called "Antiques and Stuff". 

Vance House - Old Hotel
801 Lexington St. Probably built by Dr. Hart circa 1880. 
Used as a boarding house and hotel until circa 1930. 

Carrollton Presbyterian Church 

604 Green St. Organized in 1833. Present building built in 1897.

Grace Episcopal Church 

301 E. Washington St. The church was organized by
Bishop William Mercer Green. The present building erected in 1884.

 

Carrollton Baptist Church

The church was established as a house church of 9 members in 1833 near Coila, Ms.
By 1838 land had been purchased where the present church was built in 1894 and 1895, and the name of the church changed from Bethel Baptist Church to Carrollton Baptist Church. U.S.Senator J.Z. George was probably it's most prominent member.

Carrollton Methodist Church
Located on Green St. The church was organized in 1833. The present church building was built in 1885. The annex was added in 1976. 

Bear Marsh M.B. Church

Prior to 1869, most blacks in Carroll County worshiped with the whites. As their numbers grew so did the desire for their own church. Bear Marsh M.B. Church was established as the first black church in Carroll County. Bear Marsh M. B. Church is still a vibrant and active church.

Shaderest

112 W. Washington St. The present home was built circa 1860. This is a fitting name for this rambling 2 story house whose owners have been many. It was remodeled in the 1990's by the present owners.

Woodson Hall

(James A. Young House) 904 College St. The home was built prior 1841. This was once the home of Dr. Holman whose family started the Jitney Jungle grocery store chain. Remodeled in the 1980's and enclosed with a wrought iron fence.

The Oaks

1001 College St. The Oaks was built in 1848 for Green Jenkins. The Oaks has a framework built of hand-hewn materials pegged together. Nails were used only in the roof and weatherboarding. There are seven sets of double entrances in the original rooms.

Bingham House

106 W. Washington Street. Built prior to 1869 and remodeled by R.L. Bingham. The opening scene of Faulkner's "The Reivers" shows Steve McQueen appearing on the upper balcony.

Browning House
The Browning House is sometimes called the Buckland House after the builder of the house. It dates to 1891. It sits on the site of the first Carroll County Courthouse built in 1836.

A lot of the photos are my own, most of the information was taken from:

http://www.carrollcountyms.com/carrollcounty2.htm

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/

Maybe you should plan a trip to Greenwood in the future!

I am reading The Help and I really like it. For those who don't know there will be a movie filmed about the help starting July 23 in Greenwood. Everyone is excited and things are buzzing around town.
What will it be like when the movie adaptation of “The Help” begins filming in Greenwood in July?

-->“It’s like the circus came to town,” producer Sonya Lunsford told the Greenwood Kiwanis Club Thursday. “There will tons of trucks and people running around with microphones and headsets.”

Lunsford is one of the producers of the film version of “The Help.” The best-selling novel, written by Jackson native Kathryn Stockett, is about black maids working in whites’ homes in early 1960s Jackson.

Greenwood will play the role of 1960s Jackson in the movie. The reasons for that are architecture and economics, Lunsford said.

“Greenwood hasn’t changed that much. It’s got the look (of the 1960s),” Lunsford said. “Jackson has completely changed.”

She said it’s also cheaper to film in Greenwood than in Jackson.

Lunsford said filming will begin in Greenwood on July 23 and joked that it will last “as long as the studio will let us.” Actually, she said, the shoot is scheduled to last 56-58 days.

After that, she said, the production company will return to Los Angeles for 22 weeks of post-production. That includes editing the movie and putting it together with the soundtrack.

Lunsford said “The Help” is scheduled to be released to theaters during the last three months of 2011.

Lunsford’s primary co-producers are Jackson natives Tate Taylor, who will also write and direct “The Help,” and Brunson Green.

Before becoming a producer, Lunsford worked in accounting jobs on many films, including “Traffic” and “The Good German.” The former Atlanta resident’s first job as a producer was on “Pretty Ugly People” along with Taylor and Green.

The group always wanted to film in Mississippi, and Taylor’s father suggested Greenwood, Lunsford said. Taylor was familiar with the area because he had hunted in Carroll County while he was growing up.

Lunsford said they visited Greenwood last December, even before they secured financing from the movie’s distributor, DreamWorks Pictures. Then they had to convince the studio to film in Mississippi in spite of the fact that Louisiana offers greater incentives for film production companies.

She said other filming sites considered in Mississippi included Clarksdale and Holly Springs.

In addition to Greenwood, the film crew will shoot scenes in Jackson and Clarksdale.

Lunsford said she is already working in Greenwood “for the duration” along with about half of the 170 people who will compose the film’s crew. She said the crew members’ duties now include preparing locations and sets for filming.

Shooting locations in Greenwood will include area homes and the Greenwood Garden Club, Lunsford said.

She said crew members were enjoying themselves because “it’s so much fun in Greenwood and everybody is so nice.”

Lunsford said the film will use approximately 40 main cast members and up to 1,300 extras.

The four female leads in “The Help” — Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard and Octavia Spencer — will be in Greenwood throughout most of the filming, Lunsford said. The other members of the cast will come in when their scenes are scheduled to be filmed.

Lunsford said that once filming is completed, some members of the crew will remain in Greenwood until November finishing their work.

The filmmakers are still looking for extras, Lunsford said. One open call was held last week. Another will be held Saturday in Jackson at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. People interested in being in “The Help” can also go online to get information at www.visitmississippi.org/film/

Information taken from http://www.gwcommonwealth.com/

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Help is a 2009 novel by American author Kathryn Stockett. It is about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s.
The novel is told from the perspective of three characters: Aibileen Clark, a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson, an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.
A USA Today article calls it one of 2009's "summer sleeper hits" and notes the book's climbing of bestseller lists. An early review in The New York Times notes Stockett's "affection and intimacy buried beneath even the most seemingly impersonal household connections" and says it is a "button-pushing, soon to be wildly popular novel". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said of the book, "This heartbreaking story is a stunning debut from a gifted talent".

The novel is Stockett's debut. It took her five years to complete the book, which was rejected by at least 45 literary agents. The Help has since been published in 35 countries and three languages. As of May 27, 2010, it had spent a full year on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list and was sitting at #1.

I talked to the guy working on the house Thursday, we should be all settled in before The Help is filmed. Contact me and come to visit during the time Greenwood makes history!