Discover Ward 3 in Jackson, Mississippi
Ward 3 is one of Jackson’s most historic and culturally rich areas. Every city ward except Ward 6 makes up its borders. Its boundaries are Hanging Moss Creek (north), parts of I-55 and N Mill Street (east), W Fortification Street/Bullard Street (south), and Broadview Street and Ford Avenue (west). Some of its most notable neighborhoods include Georgetown, Elraine (Medgar Evers Neighborhood Historic District), Fondren North, and Virden Addition.
Neighborhoods
Georgetown: Georgetown is one of Jackson’s oldest, largest, and historically Black neighborhoods. The annual Georgetown Festival, founded and directed by Landon Stokes, celebrates the community and the area’s cultural heritage, including the beloved Lanier Junoir Senior High School (formerly W. H. Lanier High School). Freedom Corner, the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Medgar Evers Boulevard, is an important landmark in the community. The annual MLK Day Parade starts there and travels down MLK through the neighborhood. Norma Michael and Lee Bernard reestablished the neighborhood association in 2024, and the organization hosts regular monthly meetings and events to improve and engage the community.
Elraine: After World War II, Elraine was designed specifically for middle-class African Americans. Author and educator Margaret Walker Alexander purchased the first home in the subdivision in 1955. Civil rights activists Medgar and Myrlie Evers moved into the neighborhood shortly after. Medgar’s assassination in the carport of his home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, and it became a catalyst for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1994, Mississippi designated the Elraine subdivision as the Medgar Evers Neighborhood Historic District, Jackson's first neighborhood historic district.
Fondren North: Fondren North, formerly the Broadmeadow Neighborhood Association, makes up the northern strip of Fondren and is home to various residential properties, churches, schools, and businesses. The neighborhood is defined by Northside Drive (north), Meadowbrook Road (south), State Street (west), and Interstate 55 (east). The community’s annual Soup’s On! fundraiser helps to support their neighborhood events like Fondren Fright and their Fourth of July cookout.
Virden Addition: The area around the Jackson Medical Mall is known as Virden Addition, one of Jackson’s most historic and notable neighborhoods. The community is named after Alexander Virden (1814-1892), an early merchant and civic leader of Jackson who also served as an alderman and on the board of trustees for Jackson Public Schools. According to JAN Ward 3 Board Member Felicia Tripp, accomplished trial attorney Judge Robert L. Gibbs, former president of the Hind County Board of Supervisors Douglas Anderson, the late Reverend Joe Definest Hayden, and former Virden Addition Association President Jimmy Robinson, Sr. were all reared in the Virden Addition community. Tripp plans to reestablish the neighborhood association this year.
Other Notable Neighborhoods
Mid City: Mid City is one mile long and has a rich history. Most of the area was developed before 1920 and was connected to the streetcar line that traveled from downtown to Woodrow Wilson on Bailey Avenue until 1935. Mid City’s Pleasant Avenue was also on the route of the March Against Fear in 1966. Mid City is one of the oldest single-family residential areas in Jackson. It is home to Galloway Elementary School and two parks, W.C. Gorden (formerly Jaycee Park) and the Kevin Garnett playground. The Yellow House at 1622 Wood Street is home to the Mid City Community Development Corporation, a community center managed by Akili and Ashlee Kelly.
Shady Oaks: Shady Oaks is another historic Jackson neighborhood. Shady Oaks’ boundaries are Utah Street (north), Parkway Avenue and Albermarle Road (east), Medgar Evers Boulevard (south), and Medgar Evers Boulevard and Sunset Drive (west). According to JAN Ward 3 Board Member Sirena Wilson, community leader and civil rights activist Ineva May-Pittman and American Blues singer McKinley Mitchell are former notable residents of Shady Oaks. Wilson is president of the neighborhood association, and they meet monthly in conjunction with High School Park and Dalehaven.
Fondren: Although most of Fondren is in Ward 7, a corner of the historic district is in Ward 3. The Fondren Warehouse District is a mixed-use industrial neighborhood. The industrial park is home to the Plant Venue, Jackson Bolt & Screw, Specialty Metal Supply, The Vault, and Habitat for Humanity Restore.
Freedom Corner
Historical Context: Jackson’s Firsts
Lanier High
Founded in 1925, Lanier Junior Senior High School (formerly William Henry Lanier High School) was Jackson’s first high school established for Black students. Its namesake, William Henry Lanier, served as president of Alcorn College from 1899 to 1905 and was the first superintendent of Jackson Public Colored Schools. Lanier students were at the forefront of the Jackson Movement of 1963, a series of protests and sit-ins that sought to desegregate public facilities and end segregation. The building was designated a Mississippi Landmark on November 8, 2007, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 2014. The school will celebrate its centennial this year.
Hawkins Field
Originally known as Davis Field, Hawkins Field Airport was the first airport in Jackson and served as a pilot training center for the U.S. Army during World War II. The City of Jackson purchased the 151 acres of land in 1928, and Delta Air Lines made its first flight to Jackson in 1929. In June of 1941, Hawkins Field was designated as an Army Air Base. The facility was used as a pilot training center through January 1949 before it reverted to civilian aviation status. Today, Hawkins Field is a general aviation airport that serves private and corporate pilots. It remains part of the Jackson Metro Aeroplex, which includes Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.
Jackson Medical Mall
The Jackson Medical Mall was once Jackson Mall, the city’s first retail mall. Metrocenter Mall opened in 1978, and Northpark Mall opened seven years later, causing business to slow down for Jackson Mall. The city’s original retail mall was nearly empty by the end of the 1980s; however, civil rights activist and healthcare innovator Dr. Aaron Shirley envisioned a comprehensive, multidisciplinary healthcare complex for the space and proposed that the property be converted into a state-of-the-art ambulatory healthcare facility for the underserved. The Jackson Medical Mall was established in 1996 and has become a national model for high-quality, efficient healthcare delivery for the underserved. It continues to provide great service to the Jackson community.
Lanier Junior Senior High School
A “Mom-and-Pop” Community
A "mom-and-pop community" refers to a neighborhood or area where small, family-owned businesses, often called "mom-and-pop shops," are prevalent, creating a strong sense of local connection and personal interaction between business owners and customers. Mom-and-pop communities are the heart and soul of neighborhoods like Ward 3, fostering locally rooted traditions and culture. These local staples thrive on personal relationships, where shop owners know their customers by name and often go the extra mile to provide exceptional service. By supporting mom-and-pop establishments, communities preserve their unique character and charm, ensuring that the values of craftsmanship, authenticity, and community pride endure for future generations. Below is a small list of some of the most popular family-owned establishments in Ward 3.
Bully’s Restaurant: Bully’s is an award-winning, family-owned, soul food restaurant owned and operated by Tyrone Bully and Greta Brown Bully. Since the 1980s, the restaurant has been a staple in the Ward 3 community, serving customers greens, fried catfish, macaroni and cheese, and other southern culinary staples. The James Beard Foundation awarded Bully’s one of its America’s Classics Awards in 2016. The America's Classic Award is given to restaurants with timeless appeal, each beloved in its region for quality food that reflects the character of its community.
E&L Barbecue: Eddie and Lula Hilliard opened E&L’s in Chicago in 1979 before returning to Mississippi to open the Bailey Avenue location in 1989. The family-owned business has now been passed down to second and third-generation family members. It is best known for its famous rib tips, homemade sauce, and wet fries. E&L remains a staple in Jackson’s barbecue community.
Stanton Body Shop & Wrecker Service: Stanton Body Shop is a family-owned business and has been a staple on Livingston Road for 32 years. Mr. Ernest B. Stanton, Sr., also known as “Mr. Livingston Road,” is heavily invested in his community as he owns many properties along the corridor. According to Mr. Stanton, customer loyalty is why this business is still thriving today.
Stanton Body Shop
An Array of Educational Opportunities
Education is the cornerstone of all thriving communities, serving as a powerful tool for social and economic development. Education also helps break cycles of poverty, providing opportunities for upward mobility and reducing inequality. Schools, colleges, and community centers often serve as community hubs, bringing people together and nurturing a sense of unity and shared purpose. Ultimately, education empowers individuals and strengthens entire communities. Ward 3 is home to a host of educational spaces that lay the foundation for Jackson’s future.
From its origin, Operation Shoestring was created to serve as a community catalyst and safe place for children to play in Ward 3. The non-profit organization primarily serves the Georgetown, Virden Addition, Mid-City, and Midtown neighborhoods in the heart of Central Jackson. It provides high-quality afterschool and summer programs for children and youth and support services for families. McWillie Elementary School is the only public Montessori school in Mississippi. It has maintained its A-rating via the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System for three consecutive school years. Montessori education offers multi-aged classrooms emphasizing interactive, self-directed learning for preschool and elementary children. The Hinds Community College - Jackson Campus is one of six Hinds Community College locations. Located on Sunset Drive, they live by the motto “small campus, big heart.” The Logistics Technology Program, Minority Male Leadership (M2M) Program and the Tech Nest are specifically offered at this location. Smilow Prep is a free, open-enrollment charter school serving students in grades five through eight. It has improved to a B-rated school, up a letter grade from the previous school year. Since 1953, Saint Richard Catholic School has empowered, engaged, and educated students in a warm, loving, and faith-filled environment. Its challenging curriculum ensures rigor, a commitment to Catholic education, and prioritization of skills and standards. Educational collaborations include the Whole Schools Initiative and STEM.
Saint Richard Catholic School
Ready? Set? Go and Explore Ward 3!
Exploring this city is important because it allows you to discover hidden gems, support local businesses, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Jackson community. Whether visiting a historic museum, shopping at a community gathering spot, or attending a local event, immersing yourself in Jackson's culture can be exciting and rewarding. Additionally, exploring locally can be a great way to break routine, find new favorite spots, and contribute to the local economy. Here’s a short list of key places to explore in Ward 3.
1. Sharing is Caring Neighborhood Block Garden
Located in the Georgetown community, this garden provides fresh produce to seniors in the neighborhood. Georgetown President Norma Michael purchased the vacant lot across from her childhood home and established the garden in 2021. Call 601.345.1298 to plan your visit.
2. Banner Hall
Banner Hall has served as a community gathering spot for over 40 years. It is conveniently located on the I-55 South Frontage Road and is currently experiencing a resurgence with new tenants such as Beans & Bananas, a local sundry store. Broad Street Baking Company and Cafe, owned by Jackson restauranteur Jeff Good, has been a community staple since 1998. Every loaf and pastry is made from scratch daily! Lemuria Books is an indie bookstore and arguably one of the coolest bookstores in the nation! So, grab a coffee and pastry from Broad Street and head upstairs to a comfy, cozy corner in Lemuria.
3. Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
Located in the Medger Evers Historic District (Elraine), this national monument preserves and interprets the home and story of Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers and his family. Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant leader. Myrlie Evers continues to promote issues of racial equality and social justice. Visit the National Park Service website to plan your visit.
4. Queen of Hearts
The Mississippi Blues Trail makes a pit stop in Georgetown on Ann Banks Street at the Queen of Hearts, once a historic venue for down-home blues in Jackson. The club opened in the 1970s. Chellie B. Lewis owned and operated the club, where she has booked musicians and cooked soul food for decades. Blues greats like King Edward, Z.Z. Hill, Little Milton, and McKinley Mitchell all graced the grounds of this historic “hole-in-the-wall.” Stop by and check out its trail marker sign!
5. Cade Chapel M.B. Church
Once the weekend is over, Cade Chapel M.B. Church is an ideal place for Sunday morning worship. The historic church has a rich history embedded in the fabric of Jackson. Its founder, Ishman Cade, was a former slave who owned the land now known as Fondren. Duling Avenue was Cade’s Alley, and the original Cade Chapel was located in the parking lot of Fondren Presbyterian Church. The racial divide forced the church to move from its original location to its current location on Ridgeway Street in Ward 3. Today, Cade Chapel offers an array of worship experiences, including Monday Prayer Call via phone and virtual Bible classes on Wednesdays. Ishman Cade’s photo can be found in its Hall of Ministers.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
Ward 3 remains a diverse and historically significant area that plays a vital role in Jackson’s culture. Its landmarks and institutions still stand strong and will continue to face the test of time. While the area faces economic disparity and infrastructure concerns as the city does, dedicated neighborhood leaders and community-driven efforts continue to shape its future.
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