Belhaven Heights

On one of the highest hills in Jackson, you'll find Belhaven Heights, an older and more official neighborhood than "Belhaven" itself.

The neighborhood has its own history and is known for various architectural styles, stepped lawns, and streets covered by tree canopies. The boundaries are from Fortification to High Street, and from State Street to I-55.

At the intersection of Bellevue and Madison streets, the hill reaches its peak. Looking to the east from there, you can catch a glimpse of neighboring Rankin County.

Back on November 28, 1983, the Belhaven Heights Historic District got its initial spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Oaks House exterior
The Oaks
Credit: Canizaro Cawthon Davis

The Oaks, located at 823 North Jefferson Street, a Greek revival cottage owned first by Mary Boyd (and female-owned ever since), is a museum and one of the oldest remaining residences in Jackson. Today, the site hosts cultural celebrations for the neighborhood. Fun fact: The Oaks has the distinction of having hosted the country’s first Memorial Day concept in April of 1865.

There are other intriguing residences in the area as well. Notably, the Lewis-Mack residence at 901 North Jefferson (built in 1923-24) and the single-story cottage at 909 Jefferson (built around 1912) catch attention. The latter is even cited in the 1985 Field Guide to American Houses (page 457) as a standout illustration of an American Craftsman dwelling.

Cody Cox, co-owner of Urban Foxes
Credit: Find It In Fondren

Belhaven Heights is a small but mighty contender for some of the best food in Jackson. At Urban Foxes, Cody Cox and Molly West are serving artisan pies and coffees and providing a venue for local artists, vendors and musicians to showcase their creativity. At Sunflower Oven, Robert Raymond and his team make bread, sandwiches and other pastries that "prioritize people," a radical approach to a "creative, sustainable, leisurely, and just" community. Long seen as some of the best pizza in Mississippi, The Pizza Shack creates generously-topped original creations. And at Fenian's Irish Pub - Jackson's only Irish pub, chef-driven cuisine meets hole-in the-wall aesthetic as one of Jackson's favorite dives.

And while The Heights isn't well-known for retail, Old House Depot is a storied favorite. Located off High Street, the businesses specializes in antique and old home salvage, a spot where treasures await.

A man and woman walking, swinging a child in the air and pushing a baby in a stroller

Recreation is right at home in The Heights. The Museum Trail is an approximately 3 mile multi-use trail connecting the Mississippi Farmers Market to the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Nearly two miles of the trail is Jackson's first "rail trail" along the old GM&O line on the eastern border of the Belhaven and Belhaven Heights neighborhoods. Most users park in the former lot of Dave’s Triple B off High Street on the south end or access the trail through Belhaven Heights Park.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SISTER NEIGHBORHOOD, BELHAVEN

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