The Farish Street Historic District was once the heart and soul of black Mississippi’s civic cultural life. Today, when people talk about the district, located in downtown Jackson, the conversation predictably focuses on abandoned storefronts and crime. Despite the high-profile paralysis of efforts to convert the Farish Street business district into Jackson’s entertainment district, Farish remains home to a dynamic neighborhood full of dedicated people fighting to retain its sense of history and place, fighting to hold it together as a community. Meet a few of them.

A Farish Street Historic District sign is seen on North Mill Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
Tony “Dr. Shoemaker” Brothers works on a customer’s shoes at his family’s business, Dennis Brothers Shoe Repair Service, in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
Tony “Dr. Shoemaker” Brothers is photographed outside of his family’s business, Dennis Brothers Shoe Repair Service, in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018. “New Orleans’ Bourbon Street couldn’t compare to Farish Street back in the days, “ said Brothers.
The inside of Dennis Brothers Shoe Repair Service is photographed in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
Tony “Dr. Shoemaker” Brothers looks at Farish Street while at his family’s business, Dennis Brothers Shoe Repair Service in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
A pedestrian walks in the 300 block of North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
A man rides his bicycle in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Farish Street Historic District, once the heart and soul of black Mississippi’s civic cultural life, is still home to a dynamic neighborhood that is fighting to hold the community together.
Damaged infrastructure is photographed in the 400 block of North Mill Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
Art is seen at Monument Park in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Friday, June 29, 2018.
Mary Hardege hugs her son, J.D. Benfield, at their home on Leonard Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018. The family has lived in the historic district for nearly 20 years.
Ma’ati Jone Primm, owner of Marshall’s Music and Bookstore, center, gives Malcolm Thompson, left, and his grandson Jonterrence Hanna, 13, purchased products from her store in the 600 block of North Farish Street in Jackon Friday June 29, 2018. The bookstore has been located on Farish Street for over 50 years.
Books, music and other products are for sale at Marshall’s Music and Bookstore in the 600 block of North Farish Street in Jackson, is seen Friday June 29, 2018.Friday June 29, 2018.
Ma’ati Jone Primm, owner of Marshall’s Music and Bookstore, is photographed in the 600 block of Farish Street Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
Graffiti in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
David Bradley, a resident of the Farish street Historic District, washes a car outside of Marshall’s Music and Bookstore in the 600 block of North Farish Street in Jackson Friday June 29, 2018.
Sal Philip, left, and Kirby Johnson prepare food for customers inside Big Apple Inn in the 500 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018. The restaurant has been in existence for nearly 80 years.
Customers dine at the well-known Big Apple Inn in the 500 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
Customers wait for food inside of the Big Apple Inn in the 500 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
Sal Philip cooks at Big Apple Inn in the 500 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
F. Jones Corner is photographed in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018.
Patrons mingle at F. Jones Corner on North Farish Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018.
A bartender pours a drink for a customer at F. Jones Corner on North Farish Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018.
A bartender speaks with a customer at F. Jones Corner on North Farish Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018.
The band Dexter Allen performs at F. Jones Corner on North Farish Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018.
Johnny T’s Bistro and Blues is photographed in the 500 block of North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, July 6, 2018.
Laughter is shared at Johnny T’s Bistro on North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, July 6, 2018.
Patrons enjoy the night life at Johnny T’s Bistro on North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, July 6, 2018.
Patrons enjoy the night life at Johnny T’s Bistro on North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, July 6, 2018.
People enjoy the night life at Johnny T’s Bistro on North Farish Street in Jackson Friday, July 6, 2018.
Douglas Smith sits in the 500 block of Farish Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018. Smith grew up in the Farish Street Historic District.
A man sleeps in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
Marilyn Martin points to a vacant home that is located next door to her home on Davis Street in the Farish Street Historic District Tuesday, July 3, 2018. “It is a shame that no one has done anything about this property,” said Martin.
Townhomes in the Farish Street Historic District are photographed Friday June 29, 2018. The homes are rented to low income residents. The homes benefit from a Mississippi Home Corporation tax credit.
Lee Eric Evans, 26, shows his entry and exit gunshot wounds while at his aunt’s home on Davis Street in the Farish Street Historic District Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Evans has been shot on three different occasions near the historic district. On Saturday, July 7, Evans was shot multiple times and found laying on Central Street which is about two miles from the Farish Street Historic District. He died later at the scene.
Neighborhood kids Shannon Sturgis, 11, and Jamichael Burgess, 8, on Leonard Street in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District Thursday, July 5, 2018.
Marilyn Martin, left, sits on her porch as her nephew, Lee Eric Evans, hangs a U.S. flag outside of Maritn’s home on Davis Street in the Farish Street Historic District Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

We want to hear from you!

Central to our mission at Mississippi Today is inspiring civic engagement. We think critically about how we can foster healthy dialogue between people who think differently about government and politics. We believe that conversation — raw, earnest talking and listening to better understand each other — is vital to the future of Mississippi. We encourage you to engage with us and each other on our social media accounts, email our reporters directly or leave a comment for our editor by clicking the button below.


Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Eric J. Shelton was a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018. He rejoined Mississippi Today as our health photojournalist in January 2022.