Yazoo Trivia

This gravel-throated blues growler was born in Yazoo City on 4/8/1908. His rawboned 1939-42 Bluebird recordings include Bottle It UP& Go, Cross Cut Saw Blues, and Deep Blue Sea Blues (Catfish Blues). He died in Chicago 1958. Who was he?
This Blues singer/guitarist was born in Bentonia in 1905. He was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts, and inducted into the nation's Folk Arts Hall of Fame. What was his name?
Though born in Alabama his family moved to Yazoo City when he was 4 years old. His successful motivational/public relations company is headquartered in Dallas, TX. He has written many books and produced 14 albums also. He is much in demand as a speaker. Who is this famous motivator?
This celebrity lived most of his adult life in Yazoo City (33 years) working for Mississippi Chemical Corporation. He has received 9 consecutive awards for "Country Comic of the Year". He has sold more country albums than any other artist -- 29 albums and 4 books are among his accomplishments. A section of Hwy. 49 is dedicated to his honor. Who is this "funny" man?
From an early age this writer grew up in Yazoo City. He was editor of various magazines, authored over 14 books, and was presented the Governors Award for excellence in the Arts in the Artists Achievement category on 2/10/94. Who was this local literary figure?
This musician was born in Bentonia, MS in 1902. He was one of the earliest and most influential Delta Bluesmen. He recorded a total of 12 albums in his career. He died in 1969. Eric Clapton recorded his "I'm So Glad" on the first Cream album.
This actress was born in Yazoo City 10/1/36. Afraid no one would know the location of Yazoo City -- She told some publications that she was born in Hot Coffee, MS. She played in many movies and even directed a feature length documentary in 1979. Who was this Yazoo movie star?
In Yazoo City he started the first Afro-American hospital in Mississippi in 1924, where blacks could receive medical service.
Undoubtedly the only town in the world that has a this figure as a legend. That legend has it that it broke through chains to burn the city down in 1904.
The largest area on the National Register of Historic Places at its time of registration.
In 1908 Yazoo City became the second city in the US to have this municipally owned system.
The first and largest farmer owned ammonia nitrate fertilizer plant in the world. There is a breathtaking view of the Delta from its Administrative Headquarters. The name of this company is?
This famous Georgian came to visit Yazoo City in 1973 for his first town hall meeting. His dear friend lived here, Mr. Owen Cooper, president of Mississippi Chemical Corporation. This is?
This was the first hospital in the state of MS where blacks could receive health care. It was founded in 1924.
This school was opened shortly after the opening of the Hospital in the above question to help with staffing needs.
Yazoo County's own John George Quekemeyer was chosen to represent the United States at the Olympics in Polo in what year?
This famous pigskin warrior was born in Yazoo City 12/2/40. His career began with that of a linebacker at Grambling State. Other teams included the pros Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. He has coached at the pro level in both Super Bowls XV and XVIII, both Raider wins. He holds various NFL records and selected to AFL all-time team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984, Grambling State University Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the SWAC Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of fame on March 17, 1995. Who was the greatest cornerback of all times?
This was the site of the first discovery of oil in MS and the major supplier to W.W.II The courthouse stayed open all 24 hours a day during this "rush". Where was this?

This is the 2nd largest tributary to the MS river. Only the Ohio is larger. This tributary gave Yazoo City its "life".

Known as "Chairmaker to the Presidents" has built rocking chairs for four U.S. presidents, numerous celebrities and hundreds of just plain folks from across the nation and in several foreign countries. He learned his trade from his father who learned it from his father, etc. This handcrafting trade dates back to the 1800s. Who is the "Chairmaker to the Presidents"?

This is the Largest County in MS, with 920 square miles.

The famous train engineer who lost his life on the day of the Cannonball Run crash. This wreck took place in 1900. What was his name?

This was the original name given to Yazoo City when it was one of the only planned communities in MS in 1826. A local school bares its name.

A distinctive kind of music developed by Father of Blues W.C. Handy, a native of Memphis, who came to play with Henry Stuckey of Satartia.

He rose to be Chairman of the US Republican Party. He was born in Yazoo City on October 22, 1947. An attorney and political leader, he was the White House Political Director in the Reagan administration. He is accredited with the GOP sweep across America in the general election on Nov. 8, 1994, in which Republicans gained control of both the Senate and the House for the first time in 40 years. Who is Yazoo City's most recent celebrity?

This was the first ship of the US Navy to bear the name "Yazoo" in active service.

Founder of Fletcher's Chapel Methodist Church in 1849, was a close friend of John Wesley founder of Methodism.

This famous military site during the Civil War constructed the ironclad ram ARKANSAS. It is located on the Yazoo River in Yazoo City. During its commission the ARKANSAS disabled four Union ships and helped hold off the siege of Vicksburg. Where was it built?

We have three animals on this list native to Yazoo in our wildlife refuges: American alligator, southern bald eagle, and the woodstork. What list are they on?

A type of vine introduced to the Yazoo area in 1930's for defense against erosion has taken over the region and became a namesake for Yazoo. What is the name of the vine that some say can grow a "foot a day"?

This famous Yazooan was born in Yazoo City 11/30/53. He worked as Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Secretary of State in Mississippi Government. He was elected to Congress in November 1986. He was also the first black Congressman from MS since reconstruction. He served on the House Budget Committee, House Agricultural Committee and was vice chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. President Clinton appointed him Secretary of Agriculture on 12/24/92. He was the first cabinet member from MS this century and only the 5th cabinet member ever from the state. Was the first black, first southerner and youngest person to ever serve as Secretary of Agriculture.

Yazoo County has one of the first privately owned one of these plants, it is still operating.

These are the mounds of wind-deposited soil that compose the hills in Yazoo County. They run from Memphis to Vicksburg. They date back to Pleistocene Age when the winds blew from the west strongly to deposit an arc of soil, they are the largest deposits of wind deposited soil on the earth's surface and comparable only to those on Mongolia north of the Gobi Desert. What are these natural wonders?

The Corp. of Engineers built this in Yazoo County in the 1930s is among the most intricate man natural flood control systems in the world. Prior to the construction of this system during high water levels it was said that the Mississippi Delta was a giant lake from the hills all the way to Memphis. What is this engineering wonder?

This was the first in history. It was invented and detonated in the Yazoo River just outside Yazoo City. This explosion sunk the USS Baron DeKalb, whose hull can be seen still when water levels are low.

This was the largest fraternal insurance company for blacks in the South in the early 1900s, with over a million dollars worth of policies.

This was the original title to Steven Fosters famous song "Way Down South on the Swanie River". The lyrics were changed because no one had heard of the Yazoo River.

He was a native of Yazoo and graduated West Point in 1906. He served as aide-de-camp to General John J. Pershing during W.W.I, at his death he was slated to become Commandant of Cadets at West Point. He was awarded the distinguished Service Medal by the US and numerous other medals by the heads of state of Great Britain, Italy, France, Montenegro, Belgium, and Panama. Who was this famous Soldier?

Beneath the Yazoo River lay these relics from the war of the states.

In the late 1930s this team went 11 years undefeated. Yazoo County was at one time part of the Delta Valley Conference, except they own the championship every year so were kicked out and forced to join the Big 8 where the first year they went to the final championships but were defeated. What team was it?

The second oldest Library Association in MS, only the one in Natchez is older.

The second oldest " ______ Station" in the State. What Yazoo area station is it?

This famous musician was born in Yazoo on 9/27/1912. Coming from a musically inclined family there was no doubt that he would have potential. After winning a contest in which first prize was a trip to New York City to audition before NBC radio affiliate, he found himself thrown into the world of big band music. Known by such artists as Lawrence Whelk, Benny Goodman, and others. He even played for the USO during war times. In 1981 while residing in Yazoo City he died, in May of 1989 he was inducted into the University of Miss Jazz Alumni Hall of Fame.

This home was built in 1844 was at one time an infirmary. It was renovated recently and awarded 3rd prize in all US for tasteful additions to old structures by the National Heritage Trust.

An aviation pioneer born in Yazoo City on June 26, 1906. He served through WWII as a U.S. Navy pilot instructor. Killed in a plane crash on 2/9/50 close to Dallas, TX. Barrier field in Yazoo City is named in his honor.

This award winning photographer and outdoorsman was born in Yazoo City in 1949. His photo of a great blue herin impaling a bluegill was Southeastern Outdoors Press Associations 1994 Photo of the Year. His photos and writings have appeared in many wildlife magazines.

A native of Yazoo City born around 1890. She graduated from Industrial Institute and College (now MS Univ. for Women) in the class of 1913. She became a successful attorney and was the first woman in the nation to argue cases before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Curt. She argued before the Supreme Court several times. She died in 1948.

This prominent business figure was born in 1908. He was one of the most influential Mississippians during the last 4 decades of his life. When President Jimmy Carter came to Yazoo City for a nationally televised Town Hall Meeting on July 12, 1977, he spent the night as the guest of this man in Yazoo City. He was the founder of and CEO of Mississippi Chemical Corporation of Yazoo City, the largest farmer-owned fertilizer cooperative in the world. A leader in civil rights, politics, economics, and especially religion, he served as head of the Southern Baptist Convention. He died on 11/8/86 of cancer.

Born in Yazoo City, MS in 1897. Studied library science at Columbia University. One of the first librarians to stress pride in black heritage. She wrote We Build Together: A Readers Guide to Negro Life and Literature for Elementary and High School Use ("41). and others. She died in 1979.

Yazoo County has been the home of two different winners of the Miss Mississippi Pageant . They are:

Yazoo County has played host to these movies:

This man was the only Agriculture Commissioner MS had ever had, at his retirement he was succeeded by Lester Spell, who's first public appearance was in Yazoo City 11/9/95 at the "Tri-State Cotton Conference.

This Yazoo City native was born in Benton. He has worked for 25 years in Economic Development. In January of 1992 he became Director of the MS Dept. of Economics. and Comm. Development. and can take much credit for the states recent economic growth. He was once a defensive back for the New Orleans Saints.

MS has only 15, Yazoo City is one. What are these?