History and Architecture in Holly Springs
Discover Marshall through its many facets of history, architecture and nature. In Holly Springs, the Holly Springs Courthouse Square Historic District forms the commercial center. The district is also of architectural and historical importance to the state of Mississippi. East of it lies the East Holly Springs Historic District, which covers 95 acres. Explore the city’s history through these two clearly identified districts.
In Holly Springs, you can take a driving tour of more than 25 historic antebellum homes. Burton Place was built in 1848 and later extensively restored. Montrose dates to around 1858 and is a Greek Revival house museum. The dates place both homes in the mid-19th century, while their distinct descriptions offer different points of reference for exploring architectural history.
Museums and Historical Stories
The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum is housed in the Spires Bolling House in Holly Springs, where Wells-Barnett was born. The museum welcomes visitors by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Confirm visiting hours before your trip. The Yellow Fever Martyrs Museum offers a different historical perspective: it tells the story of the heroes and victims of the 1878 yellow fever epidemic in Holly Springs and also explores the history of St. Joseph’s Church and its yellow fever martyrs.
Educational History
Rust College was founded in 1866 as a school for formerly enslaved people. The McCoy Administration Building stands on its Holly Springs campus and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It is significant as an example of the historical development of Rust College, the oldest historically Black college in Mississippi.
Mississippi Industrial College also has its own educational history: it was founded in 1905 as an educational institution for African Americans. During its growth phase from 1905 to 1926, four important buildings were constructed; three have survived. Along with its founding year, the surviving buildings give the college’s history a tangible architectural dimension.
Nature, Trails and Recreation
The Chewalla Lake Recreation Area has a 1-mile hiking trail. At Wall Doxey State Park, a 2.5-mile nature trail loops around Spring Lake—1.5 miles longer than the trail at Chewalla Lake. The Chewalla Lake Recreation Area also offers 36 campsites and a swimming beach. The Strawberry Plains Audubon Center is an Audubon sanctuary three miles north of Holly Springs, adding another clearly located stop to the nature destinations described here.
Golf and local markets also offer different ways to explore: the Kirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs has an 18-hole, par-72 course. On the square in Holly Springs, the Marshall County Farmers Market brings local growers, bakers and makers together to offer fresh food and handcrafted goods. Along with architecture and history, you can include sports and regional products as distinct interests in your trip planning.
Discover more destinations: Byhalia, Copiah County, Pearl River County, Rankin, Union County, Neshoba County, Oktibbeha County, Grenada County.
For the main travel overview: Mississippi.
