An Overview of Starkville Mississippi
Starkville is a bustling city that has something special for all visitors. History buffs, art admirers, thrill seekers and everyone in between will find their perfect activities here.
Mississippi State University, the state’s largest university, is situated nearby. The school offers degrees across a range of fields and has an active Greek community.
1. Downtown
No matter if you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast or an adrenaline junky, downtown Starkville offers plenty to do. In fact, Mississippi State University even refers to this town as “Mississippi’s College Town.”
Begin your tour of Starkville by stopping at its historic marker on Lafayette Street. Here you will learn many interesting and informative facts about this small city formerly known as Boardtown in 1831 before it was renamed Starkville in honor of Revolutionary War hero General John Stark.
Take a leisurely walk along the streets of downtown to be amazed by all of the vibrant art murals, each painted with vibrant splashes that will excite your senses. Don’t forget about the festoon lights of Lafayette Street plaza during summer months for an enjoyable evening stroll.
Visitors to Mississippi State can enjoy a round of golf at its 18-hole championship course, which was recently rated among the top 30 university-owned courses by Golfweek Magazine. Designed by Brian Ault, this challenging layout provides plenty of opportunity for golfers of all abilities.
2. MSU
Mississippi State University (MSU) is a public, coeducational institution of higher learning located near Starkville. As a land-grant university, MSU offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.
Research and service are at the core of the university’s mission. With a growing endowment and nationally acclaimed faculty and programs, it strives to push discovery forward and provide solutions that make our world better.
MSU provides undergraduate degrees in fields such as education, agriculture, business, engineering and forestry. Furthermore, it offers master’s and doctoral degrees across numerous disciplines.
MSU’s Law School offers an encouraging atmosphere, numerous hands-on learning opportunities and an impressive curriculum that prepares students for legal advocacy and leadership positions. Meanwhile, the Music College nurtures renowned musicians, scholars, educators and composers; furthermore, NatSci program promotes basic scientific understanding through research, teaching and public service across biological, physical and mathematical sciences.
3. Hollywood Premier Cinema
Hollywood Premier Cinema, situated in downtown, offers 11 screens with digital sound and projection. Additionally, they provide basic concessions like popcorn.
Magnolia, Mississippi is home to Mississippi’s first movie festival — The Magnolia Independent Film Festival or “the Mag.” This renowned event showcases films made by amateur and professional filmmakers from around the globe.
In addition to its cinematic experience, the theatre also has plenty of other amenities for locals and visitors alike. Recently, they launched their loyalty card program which rewards you with free tickets on future visits.
Other impressive features include digital signage and the option to buy movie tickets online. But perhaps most impressive of all is the debut of a larger screen that can seat nearly 200 people, replacing the previous traditional screens used at this theater since opening. These newer ones are much closer to the action than before — literally right there in front of you!
4. Waverly Mansion
Waverly Mansion is a historic house museum and former plantation home, built in 1852. It’s an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture.
Waverley’s design features two-story loggias in front and back, a central rotunda, and bifurcated staircase connecting it to the rest of the house. Additionally, it boasts an octagonal cupola — one of few remaining in America.
Waverley was a self-sufficient plantation during the Civil War, boasting gardens, orchards and livestock. It also operated its own lumber mill, tannery and hat manufacturing operations.
Waverley House had lain vacant since 1913, until Robert and Donna Snow purchased it in 1962 and began a lengthy restoration project room-by-room.
5. Mississippi State University Art Galleries
Mississippi State University boasts an impressive collection of art from both local and national artists. Additionally, the GSDP building houses a gallery that displays the work of students and faculty members.
Additionally, the Martha Lipsey Gallery celebrates Mississippians with the most severe disabilities as they discover the power of self-expression through art through Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T).
Add the Cullis and Gladys Wade Clock Museum to your list of must-visits. Here, you’ll find an impressive collection of clocks and watches dating back to the early 1700s — making this a great opportunity to learn about history while being amazed by the artwork displayed.
Starkville offers plenty of activities and sites for those who want to have some fun while visiting the city. Dog lovers will especially love Golden Triangle Kennel Club which will teach them how to be the best owner possible!
6. Mayhew Junction Brewing Company
Mississippi boasts an abundance of fantastic breweries. But Mayhew Junction stands out among them all as one of the best in its class — if not even Mississippi itself! Established by Jean and Derek Irby in 2015 in what used to be Wasson’s fishhouse at 106 Eckford Dr., Mayhew Junction has been producing top-notch ales and lagers ever since with impressive results.
Mayhew Junction boasts the state’s most generous liquor license, enabling the Irbys to sell up to 30 bottles of beer daily on site. This is an incredibly generous license in the beer industry and one reason why Mayhew Junction has achieved such remarkable success.
Mayhew Junction has earned a number of accolades, such as a Good Design award for their beer packaging and being recognized with the Best of Starkville award in Brewing for their remarkable contribution to Starkville’s economy and environment. These recognitions serve as testament to their unwavering determination in realizing their business model.
7. John Grisham Room
If you’re a fan of John Grisham, the John Grisham Room in Mitchell Memorial Library on campus is an ideal destination to view his personal collection and memorabilia.
Author John Grisham is a renowned author who has penned 28 number-one bestsellers and sold more than 300 million copies of his books worldwide. His novels typically focus on legal thrillers, but Grisham also writes insightful, emotional, and humorous fiction.
After earning his law degree, Grisham opened a practice in Southaven and served as a member of Mississippi’s State Legislature as a Democrat. He was elected for two terms until 1990 when he decided not to seek another term.
Lepanto, located in DeSoto County’s southeast corner, was chosen to represent Black Oak in Grisham’s novel due to its charming personality and picturesque setting. Furthermore, Lepanto provided the ideal setting for filming of Grisham’s book.
8. Veterans Memorial Rose Garden
Starkville boasts one of the most stunning and picturesque rose gardens in America: Veterans Memorial Rose Garden. Showcasing over 30 varieties of roses as well as other gorgeous blooms, this lush oasis will surely leave you in awe.
The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden is situated at Highway 182’s entrance to Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Facility of Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES). Here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of both traditional and modern rose varieties.
This breathtaking garden boasts over 2,000 roses in bloom. It also has a central gazebo, raised-brick planting beds surrounding it, paved walkways through the beds, an arched bridge and three arbors.
It is the ideal spot for relaxation and nature lovers alike. It features a rest area, as well as being American With Disabilities Act compliant. Open daily from dawn until dusk, this attraction is free for visitors to enjoy.
9. Starkville Museum of History
The Starkville Museum of History is an excellent destination to learn about the city’s past and people. Housed in a historic building, its collection contains artifacts that showcase Starkville and Oktibbeha County’s culture.
The Museum is an ideal destination for families and adults alike who want to discover more about their local area. It provides a range of programs and exhibits that highlight local history.
For further details about the museum, visit its website. It also offers several virtual field trips for students.
Starkville was once a bustling center of business and entertainment, but it also experienced times of controversy and natural disasters.
Starkville may be much smaller than it once was, but its residents still value their town’s heritage. Recently, they formed the Certified Local Government (CLG) to ensure that their remaining historic buildings can be preserved for future generations.
