Vintage Morgantown

06/08/2023

One of Morgantown’s beloved native sons has passed away. Jim Easterling was born at Morgantown in 1934 and was married for 70 years to Rhelda Morgan Easterling. They owned and operated Easterling Music Company in Vidalia, Louisiana for 57 years, helping many musicians and churches gain access to instruments, music, and sound needs. For 40 years he was a member of the traveling band, The Mississippians, and he wrote and recorded songs, some of which were recorded by other artists, such “Hello Daily News” recorded by Country
singer Marty Robbins. Best-selling author Greg Iles also credited Jim with connecting him to sources that resulted in Iles writing the Natchez Burning trilogy. Jim’s name is included on the Morgantown historical marker for his impact in music. He was a man who made a significant impact by just doing what he loved and enjoyed. Jim and Rhelda restored the Baylor-Newsom House at Morgantown, where they enjoyed weekend getaways. Vintage Morgantown extends our sincere sympathy and love to the Easterling family.

VIDALIA, La. — The long-time owner of Easterling Music Co. in Vidalia, who was beloved by many in the music industry and throughout the Miss-Lou, died late Saturday. James Gordon Easterling Sr., whom most knew as “Jim,” was 88 years old and diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, according to ...

03/18/2022

Thank you to Susan Amundson and The Columbian-Progress for the excellent article about the Morgantown Historical Marker and recent dedication ceremony. Click here to read the full article. Thanks to all who braved the winds and joined us for the event last Saturday.

Saturday was a special day for Morgantown as a small crowd gathered despite the chilly temperatures for the unveiling of a historical marker. The marker was established in memory of Feldon "Bud" Morgan, who was a mail carrier for the community for more than 40 years and a small business owner.

03/13/2022

Yesterday was a special day— long-awaited and one filled with a reminder of all that has gone before to provide what we enjoy now. Many thanks to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for approving a historical marker for Morgantown and for recognizing the significance of our hometown and the contributions of so many through the years who created such a wonderful place. To all who joined us yesterday, thanks so much. Such a good day! For those who missed the event, go by and see the marker when you have a chance. Here’s a link to the history included on the marker:

Celebrating the community of Morgantown in Marion County, Mississippi

03/12/2022

LOCATION CHANGE !!!
Due to high winds and cold, today’s ceremony at 1:30 p.m. will be held in the Fellowship Hall (gym) of Morgantown Church of God.

The coffee and cookies will be ready, so plan to join us today for the brief ceremony to dedicate and unveil the state historical marker for Morgantown. We will have a representative with us from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Come and help us celebrate!

When: Today (Saturday, March 12th) at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Morgantown Church of God Fellowship Hall (gym)

03/07/2022

REMINDER…
This Saturday, March 12th at 1:30 p.m.
You are invited to the dedication ceremony for the state historical marker for Morgantown. The outdoor ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at 1449 Highway 587 in Morgantown (old store across from the church) and include brief remarks and the unveiling of the marker.

02/24/2022

Ida Dunaway and Lavada Morgan at the old bridge over Morgantown Creek, 1920s

02/18/2022

Remember the Eat Shop at Morgantown? Lewis “Son” and Irene Alexander owned the Eat Shop that was located at Hwy 587 and Carroll Loop. Irene made some of the best hamburgers around. Here’s a photo of Lewis and Irene and another with their children, Carolyn (Crump) and Lewis Jr., who will celebrate his 75th birthday this weekend.

Lewis Sr. was the son of Webb and Mollie C**n Alexander. Irene was the daughter of Luther and Mattie May Hammond and granddaughter of R.W. “Bob” and Rosa Morgan Hammond. Irene also had two sons, Elzey Ray Thornhill and Melvin Thornhill.
(Thanks to Lewronna Webster for sharing the photos).

Feel free to share your memories of the Eat Shop.

02/08/2022

You are invited to the dedication ceremony for the state historical marker for Morgantown. The outdoor ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at 1449 Highway 587 in Morgantown (old store across from the church) and include brief remarks and the unveiling of the marker.

10/27/2020

Jane Tracey Beard (center) with two of her daughters, Julia Beard Hammond (left) and Nellie Beard Dunaway (right) at Morgantown before 1910. Jane’s father emigrated to America from Ireland and settled in New Orleans, where Jane was born. She and her father were separated during the Civil War and never saw each other again. As a child, Jane was brought against her will to Mississippi and mistreated until rescued by a neighbor, Dr. W.A. Russell. She later married C.N. Beard and raised a large family at Morgantown. (Photo courtesy of Louis F. Morgan)

12/26/2019

Merry Christmas from Vintage Morgantown!
Follow this link: http://www.louismorgan.info/morgantownchurch100.html
to access the e-book version of the centennial history of Morgantown Church, which also includes some early history of Morgantown. First printed in 2016, slight revisions were made for this digital edition. Enjoy!
(The e-book is below the video on the webpage linked above)

08/23/2019

It was 109 years ago that J.A. “Jim” Morgan delivered Mississippi’s first bale of cotton for that year’s crop. It was grown on his farm at Morgantown. The bale weighed 477 pounds, was purchased by the Rankin Company in Columbia for 15 cents per pound, and then transported to New Orleans, where it was exhibited in Varieties Alley and sold for 17 cents per pound. Jim Morgan also received $10 in gold for delivering the first bale. Boll weevils were on the rampage in Marion County in 1910, and many farmers only produced about half a crop that year.
(Newspaper article from Marion County Progress - Columbia, Miss., 1 Oct 1910, p. 1)

02/17/2019

Here’s a photo of the Morgantown Depot with Reggie Greenlee in the foreground. The depot was located across the railroad tracks from the store. Passenger trains, including The Rebel, stopped daily and the mail was delivered by train. Thanks to Ann Williams and Bo Williams for sharing this photo.