Mississippi Civil Rights Project

History of the 82 counties

Background/History

During the early years of the civil rights movement, Clarksdale was a relatively liberal city. Blacks did not face the same violent opposition to enfranchisement as in other parts of Mississippi.

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Aaron Henry
Aaron Henry, one of the most influential figures in the civil rights movement, grew up in Clarksdale (742 Garfield).

Places

Haven United Methodist Church
Aaron Henry's church and site of the first Clarksdale NAACP. Haven served throughout the civil rights movement as a meeting place and safe house for activists. Located at 404 Yazoo Ave, Clarksdale.
Fourth Street Pharmacy
Aaron Henry's pharmacy located on corner of Ashton and Fourth. The pharmacy burned down in 1993.
Booker T. Washington School
Booker T. Washington School was a black school in the 1960s that taught first through fifth grade. Today it is no longer in operation.
Myrtle Hall School
Myrtle Hall School was a black school during the segregation era that taught first through eighth grade. Still standing today.

Events

Beating of Bessie Turner
Date of Event:
1960s
Bessie Turner was arrested and beaten in jail. She was humiliated in jail by police who forced her to strip and then beat her over her buttocks and genitals.
Louis Stapleton Murder
Date of Event:
1960
Louis Stapleton died in jail, most likely of a beating. The police claimed that he died of heat exhaustion. The matter was never resolved.
Denzill Turner Murder
Date of Event:
1951
Denzill Turner was an epileptic black man who had a seizure at a local Greyhound bus station in Coahoma County.

Organizations

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