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Deep South USA: Locations |
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Louisiana
New Orleans
The French founded New Orleans in 1718 and they chose to settle
in what is now known as the French Quarter because the crescent
in the Mississippi provided the perfect lookout on all sides.
Congo Square in the French Quarter is known as the 'cradle
of jazz'.
The Garden District was built by Americans, who weren't allowed
into the French Quarter by the French Creoles. Tour groups
comb the streets admiring the incredible mansions and soaking
up the ambience of this historical American neighbourhood.
Around the city there are numerous plantations along the
Mississippi banks which can be visited as testaments to the
culture of slavery. |
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Acadiana
Also known as 'Cajun Country', this swamp territory is the
home of zydeco music, Cajun food and Cajun dancing which originates
from the poor French Canadian settlers from L'Acadie (now
Nova Scotia). Lafitte is twenty miles south
of New Orleans, in the heart of a huge expanse of swamp and
lakes. This area takes the full force of the hurricanes that
swing in from the Gulf of Mexico between May and November,
and the fragile wetlands are eroding at an alarming rate.
Bearer Terrier Park
Bearer Terrier Park in Louisiana preserves eight and a half
thousand acres of wetlands, and motorised vehicles are not
allowed in the swamps. There are bees in the bushes, which
are worse than the also prevalent snakes, because the bees
will attack you. There are racoons, otters, mink, deer, rabbits
and the rare bayou as well, and you can eat anything and vice
versa - it really just depends on who's hungriest. If you
come across a snake, and they do sometimes drop out of the
trees in this park, the best thing to do is to leave it to
do its own thing, rather than, say, trying to beat it to death.
It'll probably be just as frightened as you are.
Alabama
Birmingham
Rather like the original Birmingham in England, Birmingham
Alabama was a thriving 19th century industrial city. Once
ruled politically by the Klu Klux Klan, it was once the most
segregated city in America, right until recent decades. Now
you can explore the thorny issue of Birmingham Civil Rights
as well as numerous museums dedicated to Jazz, Art and Sports.
Also in the North is The Shoals, known as
a centre for the recording industry during the 1960's. |
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Tuskegee
America's first ever black fighter pilots were trained in
Tuskegee, and there is an annual airshow at Morton
Field, which attracts crowds from all over the place.
The history of it is that in 1939, when the war clouds were
gathering over Europe, black men who applied for aviation
training were told the army had no plans whatsoever to teach
black men to fly. They said they did not have the agility,
the dexterity or the sill to operate something as complicated
as an aircraft.
In December 1941, the American government set up an experiment
in Tuskegee in order to see how long it might take to train
black pilots. The pilots left Tuskegee for Casablanca, North
Africa, in April 1943. In their first week they shot down
seventeen German aircraft, and were the only unit in 200 bomber
escort missions that never lost a bomber to the enemy interceptors.
The Tuskegee bombers held vastly in pushing forward Black
Rights. |
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Ian Wright flies with the pilots of Tuskegee
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Montgomery
Alabama's capital was a hotbed for segregation politics,
which exploded in the 1950's when a black woman, Rosa
Parks, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a
white man. This lead to a one year boycott led by Martin Luther
King of all buses. It's sad that a city is even still today
subject to racist and segregative attitudes, but if you're
interested in the Civil Rights movement, this is a key city
to visit. Be sure to check out the life style bronze statue
of Hank Williams in Lister Hill Plaza.
Mobile
Mobile is the place to experience authentic Mard Gras, where
the festival has been celebrated for 3 centuries on the azalea
lined streets. It was once the French capital of Louisiana,
and has influences from its rulings by the French, British
and Spanish. The nearby beachfront of Pleasure Island
is the place to bag your own beach house for the season.
Mississippi
Mississippi Delta
The 200 mile long Delta stretches from Memphis
to Vicksburg. It's based on farming produce
like peanuts, catfish and rice but conditions in places are
extremely poor and almost third world compared to the oppulence
of the rest of the nation. From this harsh environment in
the 1920's came the angst music of the blues
which can be uncovered in the historic town of Clarksdale.
The blues are everywhere, on every street and former plantation
in the region. Greenville at a population
of 40,000 is the largest town where the Mississippi
Delta Blues Festival is held.
Vicksburg
Vicksburg played a strategic role during the Civil War when
it was occupied for 47 days. Now attitudes have changed, there
is a Museum from that great American instution, Coca-Cola
Memorabilia and a National Military historic cemetery.
Tupelo
Tiny Tupelo is famed as the birthplace of The King - Elvis
Presley. Everyone here has an Elvis story to tell, even though
he left for Memphis age 13.
Jackson
The state capital was burnt down 3 times during the Civil
War, so it's somewhat lacking in visible history. There are
a number of interesting museums to visit for Sports, History,
Science, Art and Agriculture. For a little history, travel
25 miles to Canton with its Victorian homes
and quasi Greek centrepiece. |
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| Natchez
Named after the Natchez Indians, this beautiful town on the
river has a number of historic houses which are opened annually
on a Pilgrimage Tour. There are some nice
riverside cafes and salons. The Natchez Trace Parkway
was a European trading route based on Indian tracks. Now this
road passes through attractive woodlands all the way to Nashville,
Tennesse.
Gulf Coast
This fishing district has a greater French and Spanish influence
than the rest of the state. There are great beaches in Ocean
Springs, and several casinos in Gulfport.
Biloxi was once the French capital of Louisiana,
now its popular for holidays with plenty of places to camp
and budget hotels. Off Gulfport are several islands which
can be accessed by charter boat. |
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Battle re-enactment at Fort Morgan, Gulf Coast
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Arkansas
Arkansas was once known for its natural hot springs, cotton picking
slaves and its love of outdoor life - camping, fishing, hunting
and the birthplace of the blues in the Mississippi Delta.
It's one of the poorest states in America, and former racial divides
are rife with rumoured support for the Ku Klux Klan. It's
capital city, Little Rock, is a lack lustre 19th - 20th century
construction with a few interesting state buildings and museums.
Outdoor life can be enjoyed in the Ouachita Mountains with
Hot Springs, man made lakes and the Arkansas River. The Buffalo
National River running through the Ozark Mountains is
great for kayaking and boat trips.
Tennessee
Tennessee for many is the Deep South - embodying the traditions
of music with the great outdoors.
Memphis
You can gain a first glimpse of the Mississippi River, the
longest river in America, going through ten different states. Memphis
is situated on the river, a town that flourished on the cotton trade
of the Mississippi Delta, but the place is now better known as the
home of Elvis Presley (though he was born in Tupelo) and
the home of the Blues. Only in Memphis can you visit museums for
rock, blues and soul music. It's the centre for civil rights activity
and the birthplace of Martin Luther King.
Nashville
Tennessee's second city of music, Nashville, is known primarily
as the home of country and western music and there's plenty of kitsch
and tacky souvenirs to be had. If you love line dancing or country
music, this is the place to come and listen and star spot. Be sure
to pay a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Music
Square, or if you dare, the Country Music Wax Museum.
Great Smoky Mountains
In Eastern Tennessee, the phenomenal Smoky Mountains are the most
visited in the USA, although only 10% of visit see beyond asphalt,
so if you get out of your car you'll find it suprisingly deserted.
Its rich in flora and fauna with numerous elegant flowering plants,
birds and mammals including Brown Bears. The mountains get their
name from the thin layer of mist hanging over them. Remember you'll
need a permit to hike and camp, but this is the best way to avoid
the crowds.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge could equally be called 'Dollywood', because
the fact that Dolly Parton grew up here is clearly what defines
the place. When she was born there were only a few shacks in Pigeon
Forge, but Dolly changed all that when she bought a little penny
arcade and smartened it up. Now the main street is just one seething
mass of arcades, and the town has become a theme park dedicated
to Ms Parton herself.
Chattanooga
Before the white man arrived, all the land in North America was
divided between the indigenous tribes, and North Carolina was one
of the territories inhabited by the Cherokees. In 1838, though,
a whole tribal force walked to Oklahoma along what is now known
as the 'trail of tears', because nearly a quarter of them died on
the journey. Some of them decided to stay in the mountains and hide,
and it is their descendants who are living in the area today. Now
it's an interesting little city, attractions include the state Aquarium,
and several art museums. Lookout Mountain just outside of
the city hosts the Ruby Falls and Rock City gardens.
Kentucky
As well as the notorious chicken fast food chain, Kentucky is famed
for baseball, bourbon and beautiful forests and manmade landscapes.
Here, the people are mainly relaxed and friendly. Things to see
include the Kentucky Derby, held in May in Louisville,
but don't even think about turning up - seats are booked years in
advance and cost hundreds of dollars.
30 miles away, Fort Knox is a place you can nowadays guarantee
entry to where America's Gold Bullion was once safely stored. You
can explore the legacy of folk songwriter Stephen Foster (composer
of 'Oh, Susanna') in Bardstown and the birthplace of president
Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville.
Prehistoric caves can be explored with full pleasure at the Mammoth
Cave National Park, or hike at the nearby Green River.
This is also bluegrass country, the lands around Lexington
town are all horse related, like Horse Country equine
theme park and the American Saddle Horse Museum. Traditional
old American communities are evident in the mountains, with historical
villages dedicated to the Shakers and Appalachian life.
North Carolina
North Carolina is known for its 'Research Triangle', an academic
centre for universities and research into the high-tec industries
in the towns of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Charlotte
was a centre for rebellion during the War of Independence. The East
Coast is great for sandy, natural beaches and holiday resorts.
Albermarle Sound was the site of early 18th Century European
settlements and there is a rich sense of history here, from signatories
for the Constitution to the Wright Brothers.
Appalachian Trail
The 2000 mile Trail passes through the North Carolina Mountains,
which is a great place for outdoor activities like skiing, hiking
and snowboarding. Explore beyond the hillbilly stereotypes at the
Appalachian Cultural Museum in Boone, or drive the
Blue Ridge Parkway taking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smoky
Mountains and Shenandoah Park in Virginia.
Asheville
Just over the border into North Carolina is the mountain town of
Asheville, which is well known for its home grown entertainment.
During the summer there is a mountain music event every Saturday
in Asheville. It involves a shindig on the green with traditional
Southern Mountain music, played by local musicians. Players can
hang out and play on the green, and get invited onto the main stage
if they are good enough.
South Carolina
Mrytle Beach
This 25 mile beach stretch is the centre for commercial, developed
tourism in the state. It's a fairly tacky seaside resort that attracts
American students and holidaymakers love with its cheap amusements
and plethora of golf courses. With 1700 restaurants, you'll at least
be guaranteed somewhere cheap and cheerful to eat. Away from the
throngs, at Murrell's Inlet you can take a charter boat fishing
or visit the Brookgreen Gardens plantation, amongst others.
Charleston
Charming, sophisticated and historic, you can't but love Charleston.
Named after English King Charles II, it was originally a cosmopolitan
port and the first shots of the Civil War were fired here at Fort
Sumter, which you can visit today. It's a great city to
just wander around the winding streets and explore the great shops.
There are several plantations to visit in the area.
Georgia
There are numerous interesting parks, part of the Appalachian trail
runs through the state, and the Amicalola Falls State Park, great
for mountain biking and the popular faux Swiss mountain village
of Helen.
Atlanta
Originally Atlanta was just a railway intersection called 'Terminus'.
A hundred and fifty years ago, though, the whole place was burnt
to the ground in the civil war, and between then and now the place
has become a little more glamorous. Now Atlanta, birthplace of
Martin Luther King, Jr, has been built up into one of America's
model cities.
Atlanta has the busiest airport in the whole world, the business
district is thriving; CNN is based there, as is the Holiday Inn,
and a few years ago the Summer Olympics were held there. Also a
few years ago in Atlanta a guy in a small pharmacy thought he had
invented the ultimate hangover cure, now a little-known beverage
named Coca-Cola. There is a museum in Atlanta dedicated to
the drink; The World of Coca-Cola is open seven days a week
and, sad to say, it is the most visited indoor site in Atlanta.
Athens
Athens (the other one) is more know for those who have come from
there rather than the place itself, like 80's rock bands the
B-52s and REM. What you may not know if that it's an
attractive college town with a cafe and music culture and oddities
like 'The Tree That Owns Itself' that no one is allowed to dig up
or intrude on. Come here and soak up some quirky inspiration.
Columbus
Georgia's second city sits at the highest point of the Chatahoochee
River and the original town was powered by waterfalls. Now there
are several museums and a Black Heritage Trail. Nearby there's
some Presidential sites to visit like Warm Springs, where
Rossevelt tried to cure his polio and Plains, Jimmy Carter's
hometown.
Savannah
Savannah was the first English settlement in Georgia and a place
of bitter conflicts. In it's historic district you can visit the
former Cotton Exchange and the restored Davenport House
and the home of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl
Scouts of America. Nearby are the historic forts of Old Fort
Jackson (from 1808) and Fort Pualski, used during the
civil war.
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