Author: ericwhite

The Tallahatchie County Courthouse, located in Sumner, Mississippi, holds a significant place in American history. Built in 1902, this historic courthouse is best known for its association with the Emmett Till trial of 1955, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. The trial, which brought national attention to the brutal reality of racial injustice in the South, was held in this very building. Architecturally, the courthouse reflects the Romanesque Revival style, featuring a distinct clock tower and red brick facade. Its design and structure have been preserved to maintain its historical integrity. Today, the courthouse stands as both an active part of the county’s judicial system and a landmark visited by those looking to understand the profound events that took place within its walls. In recent years, efforts have been made to restore and maintain the courthouse, ensuring that it serves not only as a center of justice but also as a site of remembrance and education about the struggles and progress of civil rights in America.

Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market holds a significant place in American civil rights history. Located in Money, Mississippi, this small, unassuming grocery store became central to a pivotal event that fueled the civil rights movement.In August 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till, an African American boy from Chicago, was visiting relatives in Mississippi. He entered Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market, which was owned by a white couple, Roy and Carolyn Bryant. During his visit, an interaction occurred between Emmett Till and Carolyn Bryant. While the exact details remain disputed, Carolyn Bryant later accused Till of making inappropriate advances toward her.A few days later, Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam abducted Emmett Till from his great-uncle’s home. They brutally beat and murdered him before disposing of his body in the Tallahatchie River. The discovery of Till’s mutilated body shocked the nation. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, held an open-casket funeral in Chicago to show the world the brutality inflicted upon her son. The photographs from the funeral were widely published, bringing national and international attention to racial violence in the United States.The trial of Bryant and Milam was held in September 1955. Despite overwhelming evidence, an all-white, all-male jury acquitted both men after less than an hour of deliberation. Protected from retrial by double jeopardy laws, the two men later admitted their crime in a paid magazine interview.The events surrounding Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market and Emmett Till’s murder served as a catalyst for the burgeoning civil rights movement. Notably, just a few months later, Rosa Parks cited Till’s death as an influence in her courageous decision to refuse giving up her bus seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.Today, the site of Bryant’s Grocery is in ruins, but efforts have been made to preserve and memorialize its history as part of the Emmett Till Memory Project, reminding future generations of the store’s profound place in civil rights history.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church U.S. National Register of Historic PlacesLocation: 130 North 5th Street, Zanesville, OhioAffiliation: Roman Catholic Diocese of ColumbusSt. Thomas Aquinas Church, situated in Zanesville, Ohio, is a distinguished historical landmark recognized on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This remarkable church has been a significant religious and architectural presence in the region, serving as a place of worship and community gathering for generations.As part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus, St. Thomas Aquinas Church continues to be an active center for faith, offering religious services, community events, and spiritual guidance to its parishioners and visitors alike. Its rich history and architectural charm make it a cherished landmark within the Zanesville community and beyond.