The three-story Lafayette County Courthouse stands in Oxford and was built in the Italianate style in 1871. It has been in continuous use ever since. The building opens onto a history that reaches from the Oxford Courthouse Square Historic District to Chickasaw heritage, the history of slavery, and the 20th-century civil rights struggle. Museums, art, and activities at Sardis Lake are also part of the picture of Lafayette County.
Oxford: Courthouse, Square, and History
The Oxford Courthouse Square Historic District represents 150 years of commercial history, local government, and religious institutions in Oxford. The courthouse and Square were rebuilt after their destruction during the Civil War. William Faulkner later immortalized both in his writing; the fictional Yoknapatawpha County and the town of Jefferson served as models for Lafayette County and Oxford.
Since Oxford was incorporated in 1837, The Square has been the city’s cultural and economic center. A map of Lafayette County from 1835 shows the Memphis to Cotton Gin Port Road as part of the “long trail” from Mobile to Memphis. The county’s history also includes its role as an important rail route on the way to Vicksburg. In 1962, James Meredith challenged segregation in Oxford when he was admitted to the University of Mississippi.
Museums and Literary Traces
The University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses was founded in Oxford in 1939 as the Mary Buie Museum. Permanent exhibitions include ancient artifacts, American art, folk paintings from Mississippi, and 19th-century scientific instruments. The museum also presents changing exhibitions featuring selected works from the permanent collections, as well as loans from artists, collectors, and institutions. Exhibitions change throughout the year.
The museum offers educational programs for all ages, including hands-on learning experiences, workshops, and tours. Individual programs and dates may change. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check the hours before your visit.
Rowan Oak is also connected to Faulkner’s life story: he purchased the house in 1930 and lived there until his death in 1962. The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Maintenance or access conditions may change, so it is worth checking before your visit. The Bailey Woods Trail, a National Recreation Trail, connects Rowan Oak to the University Museum. The trail is about 3,000 feet long; the estimated walking time is approximately 20 minutes.
Art, Books, and Cuisine in Oxford
Square Books was founded in 1979 and hosts more than 150 author events each year. The Oxford Artists’ Guild, Oxford’s oldest art organization, currently has more than 90 members. On Oxford Square, it holds an annual spring exhibition and a fall exhibition, accompanied by musicians and activities for children. The Double Decker Arts Festival began as a community initiative to support the local art, food, and music scene.
The Oxford Treehouse Gallery in Lafayette County also tells a story of growth: a blacksmith shop founded in 2002 became a painting studio and gallery. Oxford’s culinary character brings together Cajun influences, Memphis-style barbecue, Southern classics, and internationally inspired menus. The Square features restaurants, shops, and elegant boutiques, including the South’s oldest department store.
Sardis Lake and Outdoor Trails
Sardis Lake spans more than 98,000 acres across Lafayette County and the neighboring counties of Panola and Marshall. Possible activities at the lake include camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and hiking trails. The surrounding area also has boat ramps, fishing areas, restrooms, beaches, and picnic shelters.
Near Oxford, the Clear Creek Mountain Bike Trail offers another way to spend time outdoors: the public trail is 13 miles long and consists of three interconnected loops. While Clear Creek offers a loop-based mountain biking trail, Sardis Lake brings together a wide range of activities on and around the water.
Discover more destinations: Oxford, Coahoma County, Lincoln County, Smith County, Oktibbeha County, Adams County, Quitman County, Jones.
For the overall travel guide: Mississippi.
