Founded in 1828, Greenville was named for Nathaniel Greene, the famous Revolutionary War hero. Although burned to the ground during the Civil War, Greenville residents persevered, and developed the area into a prosperous city.
Greenville is often referred to as the "heart and soul of the Delta." Spend just a few hours here and it's easy to see why. One of the city's biggest attractions is the Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival. This massive event is so huge, that mini-festivals, such as Blues Week have developed in the weeks preceding the main attraction.
Visitors will be surprised to discover Greenville's diversity. The city successfully blends blues with ballet, galleries with quaint shops, casual cafes with upscale fine dining- and of course, down home Southern specialties abound. Curiously, many world-renowned writers have called Greenville home. The Greenville Writers Exhibit showcases these writers, as well as Muppet creator, Jim Henson.
For nature lovers, Greenville offers Warfield Point Park, which has a nearly 40-foot observation tower, offering the adventurous glorious views of the Mississippi River. Tennis is a special sport in Greenville, and excellent public courts abound.
A very special discovery awaits those who visit the Winterville Mounds and Museum; a National Historic Landmark located just six miles north of Greenville. Noted as one of the nation's most noteworthy sites of prehistoric Native American culture, the massive mounds were used primarily for ceremonial purposes. A stop at the museum provides visitors with the interesting history of the mounds, and the people who built them. Displays offer an excellent collection of artifacts.
Greenville is located approximately 130 miles northwest of Jackson, MS, near the most western boarder of the state, just moments from the Mississippi River.
