Baptist Town Mississippi Blues Trail Marker

Established in the 1800s, Baptist Town is one of Greenwood Mississippi's oldest African American neighborhoods. While the majority of African Americans lived closer to plantations, others settled in Baptist Town, alongside Gritney, G.P. (Georgia Pacific) Town, Buckeye Quarters, and other neighborhoods in Greenwood. These neighborhoods were important hubs of blues and gospel music; Honeyboy Edwards called Baptist Town a safe haven for musicians who wanted to escape work in the cotton fields. Edwards and Robert Johnson often performed at a local juke joint, Three Forks. There are rumors that the owner of Three Forks poisoned Johnson in retaliation for having an affair with the owner's wife, which resulted in Johnson's death; others believe Johnson may have been born with congenital syphilis, which combined with alcohol, could have caused an aneurysm.

Baptist Town is also the hometown of award winning actor, Morgan Freeman.

Baptist Town, Mississippi Blues Trail. Accessed April 12th 2021. http://msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/baptist-town.

The Devil's Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Johnson, U Discover Music. May 8th 2020. Accessed April 12th 2021. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/devils-music-myth-robert-johnson/.