31-698: The Minnie Ball House , also known as the Robinson-Slack-Marinelli House , is a historic residence in Friars Point in Coahoma County, Mississippi . It is marked from U.S. Navy shelling during the American Civil War . It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . A historical marker commemorates its history. It was built of cypress and red poplar. It had a lookout tower. It
62-475: A Blues Trail marker in Friars Point in recognition of musician Robert Nighthawk , who at various times called Friars Point home. In 1940, Nighthawk recorded "Friars Point Blues", singing of "going back to Friars Point, down in sweet old Dixie Land." When dedicating the marker, Governor Haley Barbour proclaimed: This talented Mississippian made a huge contribution to development of that unique genre of music,
93-473: A nightclub called Show T Boat where a man was shot to death in 2011, and a bank. The town no longer has a doctor or health clinic, a drug store, a sit-down restaurant, a recreational center, a library, or any businesses to speak of. Kids travel 15 miles to Clarksdale for junior and senior high school. Muddy Waters said the only time he saw Robert Johnson play was on the front porch of Hirsberg's Drugstore in Friars Point. A crowd had gathered around Johnson, who
124-460: A number of people being killed, and served to suppress the black vote, allowing conservative Democrats to regain political power. The famous gunman and train robber Jesse James came to Friars Point one evening during the 1880s. He visited with the Methodist minister, then played poker and had some drinks at the local saloon. The next morning he was gone. The Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad
155-470: A short distance east of the town. Alcorn turned from Whig to Republican after the war, and went on to become governor with the support of the large number of “ carpetbaggers ” who had settled in Friars Point. In 1875 towards the end of Reconstruction , violence from the Democrats ( Mississippi Plan ) included James L. Alcorn leading a whites against black Republicans at Friar's Point. The battle led to
186-421: A tornado—part of the 2011 Super Outbreak —hit Friars Point. The tornado was rated EF0 , with estimated wind speeds of 75 mph (121 km/h). Time magazine wrote in 2013: Once a thriving port town and the county seat, economic decline has left Friars Point with a lone elementary school, a few churches, a city hall, a post office, a small general store, a museum that opens only sporadically,
217-595: Is $ 13,028. About 38.4% of families and 41.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 54.9% of those under age 18 and 24.1% of those age 65 or over. Robert Palmer noted that in the mid-1930s Helena was "the blues capital of the Delta ". Among the musicians who regularly visited and performed in the area at that time were Robert Johnson , Johnny Shines , Sonny Boy Williamson II , Robert Nighthawk , Howlin' Wolf , Elmore James , David "Honeyboy" Edwards , Memphis Slim and Roosevelt Sykes . Helena, Arkansas
248-561: Is free to the public. Helena is located at 34°31′45″N 90°35′10″W / 34.52917°N 90.58611°W / 34.52917; -90.58611 (34.5292, -90.5861). According to the United States Census Bureau , Helena had a total area of 8.9 sq mi (23 km ), all land. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,323 people, 2,312 households, and 1,542 families residing in Helena. The population density
279-607: Is home to historic buildings such as the Sidney H. Horner House and the Centennial Baptist Church . The Edwardian Inn is located on land occupied by Union forces during the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places . Helena-West Helena School District operates schools in what was Helena. Schools in the former West Helena. Eliza Miller Junior High School and Central High School ,
310-518: Is the eastern portion of Helena–West Helena, Arkansas , a city in Phillips County, Arkansas , located on the west bank of the Mississippi River . It was founded in 1833 by Nicholas Rightor and is named after the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips, an early settler of Phillips County and the namesake of Phillips County. As of the 2000 census , this portion of the city population was 6,323. Helena was
341-486: The county seat of Phillips County until January 1, 2006, when it merged its government and city limits with neighboring West Helena . During the American Civil War , the Battle of Helena was fought July 4, 1863. Helena is the birthplace of many notable people including prominent African Americans and Arkansas' former senior United States senator, Blanche Lincoln . Helena is home to the longest running daily radio program in
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#1733127057538372-646: The county seat was moved from the nearby town of Delta to Friars Point. Strategically situated at a bend in the Mississippi River, Friars Point flourished before the Civil War as the largest shipping center for cotton south of Memphis . During the Civil War, Union troops occupied and burned portions of the town. The Robinson-Slack-Marinelli House (now the Minie Ball House), which still stands and bears
403-527: The Mississippi blues . I am pleased Nighthawk's imprint on the blues scene, which is still heard through the tunes of modern-day blues artists, will be recognized with his inclusion on the Mississippi Blues Trail. "Friar's Point" is a song on blues musician Susan Tedeschi 's 1998 album Just Won't Burn . Friars Point is located in northern Coahoma County, close to the Mississippi River , though
434-557: The U.S., King Biscuit Time . Citizens of Helena incorporated the Arkansas Midland Railroad in 1853, intending it to be a fairly straight ” air-line railroad ” running west from Helena to Little Rock, Arkansas , about 115 miles. However actual trackage was not completed until 1872, and only ran to Clarendon, Arkansas , about 48 miles. This line later became part of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway in 1910, but
465-519: The Union-held town of Helena, Arkansas. Holmes planned and executed three different failed attacks on the town. The main attack broke through Battery C, but Union troops fended off the attackers and sealed the breach. The Confederates withdrew on July 4, 1863. There were 1,636 Confederate casualties and 205 Union casualties. Fort Curtis was built in August 1862 by Union soldiers and freed slaves in Helena. For
496-421: The age of 18 living with them, 27.3% were married couples living together, 39.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.68. In the town, the population was spread out, with 38.7% under
527-410: The age of 18 living with them, 33.8% were married couples living together, 28.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.28. In Helena, the age distribution included 32.5% of
558-460: The age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.9 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 17,750, and the median income for a family was $ 19,500. Males had a median income of $ 22,386 versus $ 16,898 for females. The per capita income for
589-479: The mark of shelling from gunboats, was used as a headquarters by Union General Napoleon Bonaparte Buford . General William Tecumseh Sherman and Admiral David Dixon Porter used Friars Point as a rendezvous for 45 transport ships in December 1862, prior to attacking Vicksburg . Friars Point was also home to Confederate Brigadier General James L. Alcorn , whose grave and former plantation, Eagles Nest , are located
620-589: The next year, it served as a command post for the Union since it was centrally located on the Mississippi River . Fort Curtis was not directly attacked during the Battle of Helena as the Confederacy focused its attacks on the outlying batteries. The Confederates charged Fort Curtis in their last attack, but the heavy artillery inside kept the attack from reaching the fort. Helena built a reproduction of Fort Curtis in 2012 that
651-486: The population under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.5 males. The median income for a household in Helena is $ 18,662, and the median income for a family was $ 21,534. Males had a median income of $ 27,203 versus $ 17,250 for females. The per capita income for Helena
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#1733127057538682-475: The river's channel has moved north over time, away from the town. The town is 9 miles (14 km) west of highways 49 and 61 , and 13 miles (21 km) north of Clarksdale , the county seat . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.9 km ), of which 0.02 square miles (0.06 km ), or 2.10%, is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,480 people, 476 households, and 348 families residing in
713-455: The river's shore. Friars Point is one of two hypothesized locations where Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto may have crossed the Mississippi River (the other is Commerce, Mississippi ). The town was founded in 1836 and originally called "Farrar's Point". When the town incorporated in 1852, its name was changed to "Friar's Point" to honor Robert Friar, an early settler, legislator, and businessman who sold fuel to passing steamboats. In 1850,
744-646: The town was $ 10,769. About 38.1% of families and 44.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 53.4% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over. The town of Friars Point is served by the Coahoma County School District . Residents are served by Friars Point Elementary School and Coahoma County Junior-Senior High School . Friars Point has been written about by both William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams . At various times, both writers vacationed at Uncle Henry's Inn on nearby Moon Lake . Helena, Arkansas Helena
775-442: The town. The population density was 1,324.0 inhabitants per square mile (511.2/km ). There were 508 housing units at an average density of 454.4 per square mile (175.4/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 93.85% African American , 5.95% White , 0.07% Pacific Islander , and 0.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. There were 476 households, out of which 42.0% had children under
806-460: Was 710.7 inhabitants per square mile (274.4/km ). There were 2,710 housing units at an average density of 304.6 per square mile (117.6/km ). The racial makeup of Helena is 67.93% Black or African American , 30.59% White , 0.13% Native American , 0.60% Asian , 0.17% from other races , and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,312 households, out of which 32.7% had children under
837-684: Was all abandoned by 1979. From 1906 to 1946, Helena was a terminal point on the former Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad , which provided passenger and freight service to Joplin, Missouri . After a loss of rail service in early 2015, a successful effort was launched by the Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority to have freight service restored. The service was restored on October 1, 2015, and two new freight customers were quickly gained. In June 1863, Confederate Commander Theophilus Holmes sought to take pressure off of Vicksburg, Mississippi , by attacking
868-432: Was completed to Friars Point in 1887. In 1888, the county jail at Friars Point was completely destroyed by fire, killing five prisoners. Charles Lindbergh ran out of gas while flying his plane over Friars Point in 1924, and landed at a place he later called "The Haunted House". As nearby Clarksdale grew in population and influence, it challenged Friars Point's hold on the county government. In 1892, Coahoma County
899-445: Was divided into two jurisdictions, one going to Friars Point and the other to Clarksdale. In 1930, the county seat was given exclusively to Clarksdale. Historian Lawrence J. Nelson wrote that by that point, "Friars Point had receded into a sleepy river community." In the 1930s there was ferry service between Friars Point and Helena, Arkansas . The cost was one dollar for a car and driver and 25 cents per passenger. On April 26, 2011,
930-512: Was moved around after levee construction. It was occupied by the Union Army during the Civil War. Friars Point, Mississippi Friars Point is a town in Coahoma County , Mississippi, United States. Per the 2020 census , the population was 896. Situated on the Mississippi River , Friars Point was once a busy port town, and remains the only place in Coahoma County with public access to
961-476: Was playing ferociously. "I stopped and peeked over," he said, "and then I left because he was a dangerous man." In a 1937 recording, Johnson sang, "Just come on back to Friars Point, mama, and barrelhouse all night long." In Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues" he sang, "I got womens in Vicksburg, clean on into Tennessee, but my Friar's Point rider, now, hops all over me." The Mississippi Blues Commission placed