July 5, Holly Springs, MS

We left the house this morning at 9:00 AM and arrived in Holly Springs, Mississippi (approx. 366 mi) around 4:00 PM Central Time. We stopped three times for respite, lunch and fuel.

Holly Springs is reputed to be the quintessential antebellum town. I had read an article about an old grocery store in Holly Springs that touts the best hamburgers around these parts. I flagged down some locals in a city utility truck, to get directions. When the fellow saw my perplexed expression, he said “come on, follow me”. Small town America is still alive and well!

This was the first thing I spotted - of course -railroad brat that I am!

The Railroad Depot was an elegantly designed building resembling a castle more than a depot. Locals said a woman bought the depot to convert it to a B&B, but just never got around to it.

Phillips Grocery was a nostalgic trip back in time; a time when you could walk a few blocks to the drug store, get a Cherry Coke at the soda fountain and go sit at a tall black iron table to enjoy it. Your mother didn't worry about you because everyone there knew you and you were safe.

We chatted with some ladies in the store and ordered our hamburgers; I got some deep fried mushrooms recommended by another customer.

There were thousands of antique items in the store, but no groceries! I assume they make enough off the hamburgers, etc. to survive. We returned to the campground with full tummies and sweet memories of a time gone by.