When you think of historic districts in Jackson, the neighborhoods that often come to mind are Belhaven and Farish Street. What about neighborhoods such as Poindexter Park? Your first reaction may be, “Oh! Isn’t that the park with the pavilion that’s on Capitol Street?” My response would be that you’re right. Poindexter Park is a public park located on West Capitol Street, but located behind that park is a neighborhood that bears the name of the park and a lot of history to boot.
The Poindexter Park historic district is roughly bounded by W. Pearl, Rose, Hunt, W. Capitol, and Clifton Streets and the neighborhood dates back to the turn of the 20th century. In the early years of the neighborhood, W. Pearl Street was named Sharkey Street and Robinson Street was named Clinton Road. Sharkey Street, currently West Pearl Street, probably derived its name from Reconstruction Governor and former Mississippi Chief Justice William Lewis Sharkey. Upon retirement from the bench, Judge Sharkey built his home in the Poindexter Park neighborhood in the 1850s. A few years later, Poindexter Elementary School, originally named West Jackson School, was constructed in the neighborhood in 1900.
Poindexter Park derives its namesake from Mississippi’s second governor, George Poindexter. Upon the estate of the former governor rests a quaint, yellow house. This house is the location of Poindexter Park Inn, a small bed & breakfast that has a soul for the blues. Poindexter Park Inn is the idea of Marsha Weaver, a former city councilwoman who serves as innkeeper for the establishment.
Poindexter Park Inn features 5 unique rooms: 3 which can accommodate 2 visitors and 2 that can accommodate 1 visitor. Upon entering the inn, you’ll notice a checker-painted floor and a stairwell that is lined with record albums. The first floor is where breakfast is served. Continental breakfast is included with the price of the room and bedandbreakfast.com indicates that the inn’s signature dish is hot muffins with edible flowers.
The rooms feature an assortment of antique furniture. I’m a gadget person, so the main things that caught my eye were the cool, antique bedside clocks and a neat old camera in one of the upstairs rooms. Speaking of upstairs, the inn is two stories. It features one bedroom downstairs and the remaining bedrooms upstairs. The inn also has a neat upstairs porch that would be great for clearing your mind or planning your day.
I took some pictures of the inn when Ms. Weaver graciously opened up the business for a quick open house. I even ran into Ms. “Misty Blue” herself, singer Dorothy Moore.
If you are interested in booking a stay at Poindexter Park Inn, call (601) 944-1392.
Sources:
Miles, Diana G. From Frontier Capital to Modern City: A History of Jackson, Mississippi’s Built Environment, 1865-1950. Gainesville, Georgia: Jaeger Co., 2000.
Rowland, Dunbar. Mississippi, Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons. Atlanta: Southern Historical Publishing Association, 1907.
Photos of Poindexter Park Inn:
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Marsha Weaver, Innkeeper
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Foyer
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Bathroom towel
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This is one cool old school camera
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Room numbers
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Billie Allen poses with singer Dorothy Moore
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Replica Mississippi Blues Trail Marker
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Upstairs Porch
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Neat retro radio
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Wall of records
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One of the 5 rooms
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View from upstairs
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