Visit Oxford (Formerly law offices)

The Visit Oxford building was constructed in the antebellum era and survived the burning of much of Oxford during the American Civil War.

In 1867, just a few years after the conflict ended, the building was the site of the first meeting of the Klu Klux Klan in the town, when the founder of that order, Nathan Bedford Forrest, supposedly rode down from Tennessee in order to organize a new chapter himself [1].

Later, in 1905, "General" James Stone, who had moved to Oxford from Batesville, Mississippi during the 1890s, purchased the Visit Oxford building to use as his law office. Though called "General," Stone had never served in the army, but many claimed that his personality warranted the nickname. All reports of Stone describe a formidable presence, chief council for the Illinois Central Railroad, banker, lawyer, founder of the Tallahatchie Hunting and Fishing club, and a man with a stout thirst for drink [2]. Stone added a stepping stone in front of the building, something today that would never be needed today, in order to mount his horse. It holds significance due to the importance it played in early travel before cars, and is still there marked by a plaque [3].

Stone's son Phil eventually took over his father's practice after returning from Yale, but seemed to be more interested in literature than law. He would later offer the services of his secretary to help get William Faulkner's early work published into magazines. Stone was an aspiring writer himself but his work never truly gained traction. Stone was truly pessimistic about his own writing, once complaining that he "didn’t know why he kept on writing because he was sure he would not only never make any money out of it but would never receive any literary recognition either” [4]. Stone may have given up on his own writing dreams, but he took a chance on William Faulkner even though everyone questioned why he would support Faulkner's work. Stone went as far as to defend Faulkner from Faulkner's uncle John Faulkner when he insulted him in public. “No, sir, Judge Falkner, you’re wrong about Bill," he supposedly said. "I’ll make you a prediction. There’ll be people coming to Oxford on account of Bill who would never have heard of the place except for Bill and what he writes.” “Ah, hell!” the Judge said as he walked off, “that goddamn tripe Bill writes" [4]!

Today, the Visit Oxford building is used by the city of Oxford as a site for any tourist to visit to get information on all sites within the town. In one way it is ironic that the building that was owned by a man who helped support Faulkner in his early days still helps the Faulkner legacy today.

1. Kendel, Julia. "Reconstruction in Lafayette County." Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, XIII (1913), 239. 
2. Davis, John. Seeing the light in August, The Daily Journal. August 14, 2015. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.djournal.com/oxford/lifestyle/seeing-the-light-in-august/article_f9dc1a96-d238-56ba-945f-324b65a1ee57.html.
3. Rucker, LaRecca. Upping Stone at Visit Oxford has a unique history, The Oxford Egale. April 10, 2016. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.oxfordeagle.com/2016/04/10/upping-stone-at-visit-oxford-has-a-unique-history/.
4. Mayfield, Jack Lamar. "I Know William Faulkner" Phil Stone and Stark Young, Hotty Toddy.com. May 21, 2014. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.hottytoddy.com/2014/05/21/i-know-william-faulkner-phil-stone-and-stark-young/.