Mississippi State Line: Welcome Sign

Last updated: November 24, 2023

In April 2021, while on our way to Hot Springs National Park, we passed the Mississippi state line welcome sign and Kris graciously pulled over and snapped my photo. Another one for the collection!

In October 2023, my parents and husband took a trip to visit Mississippi’s highest point and got some photos with the Mississippi sign when we crossed from Alabama into Mississippi. Same sign, 2 years later! I’m really glad we did this because I didn’t know back in 2021 that I’d be creating blog posts for each welcome sign so this allowed me to take a good picture for the cover photo of this blog and more than just the one I previously had.

Let’s Learn about Mississippi

Aside from being fun to spell out loud, Mississippi is an interesting state.

20th to be admitted into the Union (12/10/1817)
35th most populated
32nd largest state
Lowest income in the United States
Median household income: $43,567
People who live there are called “Mississippians”
Population: 2,963,914 (2020)
Nickname: the Magnolia State
Bird: Northern Mockingbird
Flower: Magnolia (chosen by children in 1952)
Insect: Western Honeybee
Mammal: Whitetailed Deer
Food: sweet potato
Beverage: milk (did you know 22 of the 30 states that have an official beverage chose milk?).
Gemstone: emerald
Dance: clogging
Toy: teddy bear (because they invented it). Interesting story here: In 1902, while on a hunting trip in Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt refused to kill a bear that had been tied to a tree. As news of this event spread, toy makers around the countryg simultaneously created toys to commemorate the occasion.
The Mississippi River is the largest river in the U.S. and 15th largest in the world (by volume). It either borders or passes through the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Birthplace of Oprah Winfrey, Elvis Presley, Jim Henson, and Britney Spears.
First human lung and heart transplant happened here (performed by the same doctor in 1963 and 1964).
First and largest producer of cotton
Commonly referred to as “The Deep South” (accompanied by Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas).
The Blues music genre started here.
Invented Root Beer (Barqs) – I want to know why this isn’t the state drink. ???
Home to the 5 most deadly tornados in the U.S.
Since 1861, there have been three official state flags with the most recent being adopted in 2021.
Mississippi was named by Native Americans. In the Chippewa Native American language, it means “large river”, but “great waters” and “father of waters”.
Home to the first woman’s university (1884). Prior to that, women were just out of luck.

I actually learned a lot about Mississippi while researching for this post. Heads up, I do plan to visit the highest point in Mississippi soon as it’s only 1.5 hours away from my house!

Well, that covers Mississippi. I’ll likely go to their highest point with my parents and we will certainly stop and take photos together with the state sign. Given I only have this one photo, it would be great to get a few more (and one of just the sign sign no people in it so I can update this post’s featured photo).

I’d love to hear your about your most recent out of state adventure, especially if it was in Mississippi! Do tell me all about it in the comments below!

Until next time, happy road-tripping!