The WPA Files: Fewer Aliens, More Gossip

Have you ever wanted to learn more about your town? Do you like gossip and facts about trees? You need to check out the WPA files! WPA stands for Works Progress Administration, which was organized as part of the New Deal to provide jobs for unemployed Americans during the Great Depression. One of the projects of the WPA was to gather local histories by going into each county, interviewing the residents, and compiling research. MLC has files for all of Mississippi’s counties except for Sharkey and Wilkinson. The source material for these files can be found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. 

Now that you know what the files are, you may be wondering what they contain. Most files have a similar layout: they begin with the history of the county, including education and industry, and then discuss notable people from the area, local flora and fauna, and local traditions, myths, and legends. It is also important to note that these files were put together in the 30s, so there is some language that was not considered offensive at the time and is today. Namely, the language surrounding people of color is outdated and derogatory.

Since some parts of the files depend exclusively on interviews, it is best not to consider them authoritative sources on a subject. These sections are helpful for building an understanding of a county before and during the 30s and getting some fun, old-timey gossip. If you are doing research, there are sources cited in the papers that you can use to find more definitive information. The WPA files are like the Wikipedia of historical information: they are good for gaining a basic understanding of a county, but you should use the cited sources at the bottom for any research.

In the Hinds County papers, you learn that the county seat changed several times before landing in Jackson. The first county seat was Doaks’ Stand, but it then moved to Clinton, and then Raymond[1]. There are detailed descriptions of notable homes, some of which are still standing, like the Manship Home. The WPA files describe the home’s layout, its decorations and furniture, and even the contents of its china cabinet.[2]

In addition to the gentility of stately homes, there are descriptions of the wilder Saloon Days. According to the WPA files, there was a saloon located under the Eagle Hotel, as in literally underground[3]. There was also a saloon on the corner of Amite and North President streets, with a plank walk that ran from the back of the first Capitol directly to the side door[4]. The saloon was at the location of the future Craft property, and looking at the Sanborn map from Jackson 1885, there are several dwellings at this corner, and the walk would not have been terribly long.

If you wanted to dig around and see what life in Hinds County, or any other Mississippi county was like in the 1930s and before, the WPA files are a great place to start. You can build on your knowledge by finding photos on the Mississippi Digital Library, read more about Mississippi on the Mississippi Encyclopedia, or even try to find saloons using Sanborn Maps. You can also see what’s available at your local Mississippi public library, as many have local history sections.

[1] WPA Files, Hinds County, p. 4.
[2] WPA Files, Hinds County, p. 40.
[3] WPA Files, Hinds County, p. 163.
[4] WPA Files, Hinds County, p. 163.

Alex Brower, Information Services Director