An Historic Downtown Walking Tour

You'll find plenty of interesting sites to explore in downtown Jackson on a half-day walk through history. Don't forget to look up along the way; many favorite treasures are perched upon the rooftops.

Start near the intersection of Amite and State Streets. The William F. Winter Archives & History Building , the War Memorial Building and the beautifully restored Old Capitol Museum (1839) are all located here around the Capitol Green , a site set aside for government in the original city plan. Starting just at the Old Capitol building is Capitol Street, downtown’s most active artery.

Stroll west on Capitol Street past buildings remembered by many as “Spengler's Corner” and the former Emporium department store building, and you'll come to the Mississippi Governor's Mansion . This stately Greek Revival treasure was first occupied in 1842 and is a National Historic Landmark.

Across the street is the Lamar Life Building , Jackson's first skyscraper, with its ornate clock tower and gothic gargoyles watching over St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral .

Continue walking along the mansion fence to West Street. A right turn northward sends you to Smith Park . The city's original design was a checkerboard of public parks and buildings, and Smith Park is the only downtown park remaining. Several historic buildings surround it, including St. Peter's Catholic Church , the old Central High School , and the original First Baptist Church (1844). Walk northward past the Woolfolk State Office Building decorated with relief flowers and stop to rest, reflect and read the inscriptions at the Mississippi Veterans Monument .

Across West Street is the “new” Mississippi State Capitol (1903), with its majestic gold-leafed American eagle keeping watch over the city. Of all the state capitols, Mississippi’s most closely resembles our nation’s Capitol building in Washington, D.C. A walk around its perimeter will reveal lovely landscaping and classic Beaux Arts architecture.

From Mississippi Street along the southern edge of the Capitol grounds, turn south on Congress Street and pass Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church and the Galloway House (1889) on the way back into the heart of the city. Walk along its only remaining, original brick street until you come to City Hall (1847), one of only four public buildings left standing after the burnings of Jackson during the Civil War. Following the devastation, only chimneys were left standing, and Jackson was nicknamed "Chimneyville."

Find a spot to rest and enjoy the City Hall gardens before continuing to Pascagoula Street. Look across to the Hinds County Courthouse and locate two statues on top of the building. One is Moses, the giver of the law, and the other is Socrates, the interpreter of the law.

Turn left and walk east on Pascagoula to President Street and turn left again for a view of the other side of City Hall. Just north, find the old Central Fire Station , now the home of the Chamber of Commerce. Take a moment to view the monument dedicated to Mississippi firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Continue north to Capitol Street where a right turn will take you past the Mississippi State School of Architecture and back to the Capitol Green and where your walking tour began.

Now that you’ve sampled downtown Jackson landmarks, you’ll want to visit the many fascinating museums, historic sites and other attractions in the City with Soul .