SCAN ME
FRIARS POINT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION
Our Mission
The Resurrection of Friars Point, Mississippi
The Economic Development Association (EDA) of Friars Point, Mississippi, under the direction of MBJ Enterprises, invites you to help us resurrect our city into the infamous “Mississippi River City” of American history. Friars Point has many unoccupied, severely damaged historical buildings that are in need of extensive repair. It is the mission of the Economic Development Association to restore Friars Point into the city that Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner wrote about. It is the goal of the EDA to create an infrastructure that will encourage and attract national business chains to take notice and take advantage of the resources that Friars Point has to offer. Our historic port town remains the only place in Coahoma County with public access to the banks of the Mississippi River. Friars Point is ready to reclaim its rightful place in history.
The EDA has completed the upgrade to the historic Minie Ball House which was built in 1850 and is on the Mississippi Historical Registry. The Minie Ball House briefly served as headquarters for Union General Napoleon Bonaparte Buford. It is the oldest structure in Friars Point. The EDA led the charge in clearing properties damaged by the ice storm that battered Friars Point the week of February 14, 2023. We are proud to be citizens of Friars Point.
The objectives of the Economic Development Association is to revitalize Friars Point into the music venue that is home to rockabilly and country music star Lloyd Jenkins, better known by his stage name Conway Twitty, in the 1950s through the late 1970s. The EDA endeavors to return Friars Point into the gateway that led blues singer Robert Lee McCollum, better known as Robert Nighthawk, from the plantation in Friars Point into the Blues Hall of Fame. Nighthawk sang about Friars Point throughout his career which extended from the late 1930s into the early 1960s. Blues legend Robert Johnson played in front of a Friars Point drugstore and made reference to Friars Point in the song “Traveling Riverside Blues.” The EDA will continue our efforts to restore Friars Point so that our current favorite sons will be honored to showcase their hometown. Jaye Hammer is the performing name of Jeremy George who currently sings the blues about “I Ain't Leaving Mississippi” and mentions Friars Point. Blues singer Christone “Kingfish” Ingram passed through Friars Point in his formative years and now calls Clarksdale home. These artists have made Friars Point famous through their talents. The citizens of Friars Point want to restore Friars Point into the hometown that these artists are so proud to tell the world about.
The EDA is soliciting financial assistance from our friends, neighbors, organizations, foundations and sister cities across this great United States to help us reach our goal of making Friars Point “The Mississippi River City” it once was. We must recognize Omicron Pi Foundation for being the “pacesetter” financially and professionally in helping our project develop.
Donations may be made to Omicron Pi Foundation at this Paypal link. If you have questions, comments or suggestions to help improve our efforts, please call Melvin Brown at 254-285-1908. Or, you may mail pledges or write to us at P. O. Box 60, Friars Point, Mississippi 38631.
Thank you for whatever donation you can provide. Thank you for appreciating our initiatives. Friars Point will be resurrected with your support.
Friars Point Economic Development - MBJ Enterprises - Omicron Pi Foundation
Incorporated May 29, 1889
Friars Point is a town in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. Situated on the Mississippi River, Friars Point was once a busy port town, and remains the only place in Coahoma County with public access to the Mississippi River's shore.
Born in Friars Point, Conway Twitty was greatly influenced by his Delta roots. The Mississippi Country Music Trail marker commemorating Conway Twitty is outside the North Delta Museum and the U.S. Post Office on Second Street in Friars Point, Coahoma County, Mississippi.
RESTORE and PRESERVE "ALL" of the HISTORICAL abandoned buildings on SECOND STREET in downtown Friars Point
Second Street is the public access street to the Mississippi River
Hirsberg's Drugstore
Construction date:
c. 1900
649 Second Street
The Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorating Robert Nighthawk is outside of the Hirsberg's Drugstore in the downtown commercial section of Friars Point .
Jeremiah J. Neal of Jackson, MS stands beside the tribute to Robert Nighthawk at Hirsberg's Drugstore.
Blues legend Robert Nighthawk called Friars Point home at various time from the 1920s to the 1960s. In a 1940 recording of "Friars Point Blues", he sang of "going back to Friars Point, down in sweet old Dixie Land."
Wayne Saunders of Ipswic, England
HIRSBERG'S
DRUGSTORE
Wayne visited Friars Point in June 2023 while touring the United States. Welcome to Friars Point, MS - Wayne!
The Ice House
572 Second Street
The first ice plant in Mississippi was built in the late 1870s and the second plant in Mississippi was in 1880.
For almost one hundred years, block ice provided health, comfort, and conveniences for Mississippi's people and business community. The making of block ice was a preeminent industry that shaped the culture and economy of Mississippi.
Friars Point Economic Development Association refuses to destroy our history! We preserve our history!
The Minie Ball House
324 Second Street
Is the oldest and most historic and oldest dwelling in Friars Point. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Minie Ball House sits at the base of the Mississippi River in Friars Point. The house is about 500 yards from the Mississippi River.
Friars Point Economic Development members make temporary repairs to the Minie Ball House.
The
North
Delta
Museum
Is situated at the foot of the Mississippi River levee and is in the National Register of Historic Places.
748 Second Street
The museum is a respiratory of artifacts from the Mississippi Delta, the Mississippi River and the military.
Military and farm equipment is on display in front of The North Delta Museum.
ABANDONED CHURCH
This abandoned church creates an eyesore in the heart of a Friars Point neighborhood on Oakridge Road. It is a potential danger to the community and is a breeding ground for animals. This church was last operated by the Church of the Living God.
1149 Oakridge Road
Saint Cecilia Catholic Church
On Second Street facing the Mississippi River levee
ABANDONED
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is located in downtown Friars Point. This abandoned church is a short, relaxing walk to the banks of the Mississippi River.
101 Second Street
How is the Friars Point Economic Development Association making improvements in the City of Friars Point?
Members of the FPEDA inspects historical buildings in downtown Friars Point and make temporary repairs until funding is available to restore the buildings.
FPEDA looks at the condition of leaking pipes around the city
FPEDA searches for solutions:
Patching or Replacing?
FPEDA prepares the historical properties for The Resurrection of Friars Point Project.
Clearing Historical Properties
Friars Point Economic Development Association members provide tools, material and labor as in-kind services for the project.
FPEDA CONDUCTS A RECONNAISSANCE MISSION
The Friars Point Economic Development Association toured the Mississippi River Park at the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River at Friars Point doing the reconnaissance mission.
FPEDA members on October 6, 2023
FPEDA board member visiting Friars Point from Texas stands on the banks of the Mississippi River on December 20, 2023.
FRIARS POINT, MISSISSIPPI
THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED
Cotton chopping and picking was the major industry in Friars Point. There are not any job opportunities in Friars Point now.
Demographics
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE IN 2023
85.65% below the poverty level
Friars Point Economic Development Association Credentials and Certifications
Omicron Pi Foundation's mission is resurrecting Friars Point, preserving history while moving Mississippi forward.
FPEDA is ready to RESURRECT Friars Point
FPEDA CONTACT AND DONATION INFORMATION
MAILING ADDRESS
Friars Point Economic Development Association
P. O. Box 60
Friars Point, Mississippi 38631
PHONE NUMBER
254-285-1908
EMAIL ADDRESS
Restoring Our History! Securing Our Future!
New Day Business Directory
Please donate below to restore these historical buildings
Please take our survey
The Resurrection of
