Clarksdale, Blues music capital in Mississippi, United States
Clarksdale is a town in Coahoma County within the Mississippi Delta, situated along the Sunflower River where wide streets cross flat terrain. The downtown area consists of low brick buildings lining main roads that follow the paths of old Native American trading routes.
John Clark founded a settlement with a timber mill in 1848 at the crossroads of two old trading paths that later became major transport routes. During the 20th century, the town grew into a center of cotton production and drew many musicians who shaped Delta blues here.
At the Crossroads in the center of town, where Highway 61 meets Highway 49, visitors stand where Robert Johnson is said to have struck his legendary deal, and the spot remains a pilgrimage site for blues fans. Clubs along Issaquena Avenue open nightly, and those who step inside often hear local musicians playing Delta blues in its original form.
Those visiting the town find lodging in local guesthouses and larger hotels, with most places easily reached on foot or by car. Music events happen every day of the week, so travelers do not need to time their arrival for a specific date.
The Riverside Hotel, once a hospital, became lodging for traveling musicians and housed Bessie Smith and Robert Nighthawk during their tours. Visitors today can walk through the rooms and see original furniture that still remains from that era.
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