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We are coming to you this week from the northern
edge of Hinds County. We invite you to discover
the tiny roadside village of Pocahontas.
Located fourteen miles northwest of Jackson on
Highway 49, the little town of Pocahontas had
its beginnings in 1884 when J. E. Lane donated
land for the railroad right-of-way.
Section houses and a depot were later added
to the railroad hamlet followed by a number
of private homes and businesses.
The town took its name from the two Indian
Mounds located nearby. Although Pocahontas
is no longer a stop on the rail line, the
trains still chug up and down the tracks
that parallel this roadside community. These
tracks were the life-blood of many small
towns bringing supplies, news and influences
from other parts of the country.
And speaking of influence, in our first
story we go barging down our countries largest
waterway and discover how this mighty river
and the people of the south had an impact
on our nations musical heritage.
Music on the Mississippi is an Elderhostle
program that travels from Memphis to New Orleans
exploring the music and ports along the Mississippi
River. Join family and friends for this very
exciting and unique travel experience onboard
America’s only floating hotel, the luxurious
and spacious RiverBarge
Excursion Lines River Explorer.
If you come to Pocahontas follow your nose
to Big D’s Bar-B-Q. It’s some
of the finest wood smoked meat you will ever
put in your mouth. And there are plenty of
picnic tables available for you to savor
this down home cooking in the great outdoors
were it was meant to be enjoyed.
And speaking of down home cooking, we visit
another Pocahontas restaurant that specializes
in another Mississippi delicacy, in our next
segment.
Catfish Haven has an all-you-can-eat special
($10.95) of whole fish, filets or a mix of
both, plus your choice of either baked potato,
fries or onion rings. All of the dinners
also come with your choice of either salad
or cole slaw.
If you want to get out and enjoy nature then
the Springdale Hills Arboretum in Pocahontas
is an ideal location. This 104 acre retreat
features 150 different species of trees, ponds
for fishing, nature trails and the ruins of
an 1830's mansion. It’s a great place
to unwind and get back in touch with nature.
In our next story, we meet a Pocahontas
man who likes to unwind in nature but at
a lot higher altitude than most. David Mars
flies us back in time to the golden age of
aviation in his vintage airplanes.
The Pocahontas Indian mound here was built
and used between 1000 and 1300 AD. It’s
175 feet across at the base and about 22
feet high. Remains of a mud-plastered log-post
building have been discovered at the top
of this mound. The structure was used as
a ceremonial temple or as a residence for
chief. And we thought this would be a fitting
place to end our visit to Pocahontas at the
spot where the town’s name originated.
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