For a calendar of upcoming events click the link below

Park Hill is Tupelo’s historically oldest Black neighborhood. It has 2 schools both named after two great Black Americans; George Washington Carver and Martin Luther King Jr. The community has 13 churches with Springhill Missionary Baptist Church as the oldest.

Park Hill was developed as residents were relocated from the Black community known as Shakerag. Shakerag is known as being the birthplace of Tupelo’s most famous son, Elvis Presley. Some of the older Park Hill residents share stories about playing with Elvis during their childhood. It is said that after residents were relocated to Park Hill, Elvis frequently visited the neighborhood. It was here that he was influenced by gospel music. There is a marker located in Park Hill at the site of the old Mayhorn’s Grocery Store, mentioning Elvis’ many visits there.

The neighborhood borders Franklin Street to the south North Gloster Street to the north. It also borders much of North Madison towards the west and just beyond Front Street to the east. The community has 2 parks, the C.C. Augustus Park and Gum Tree Park. Park Hill is made up of 479 acres with 714 parcels. The community also supports a Boys & Girls Club program along with the Lift Headstart Program. It also has one of Tupelo’s oldest fraternal organizations, the Henry Hampton Elks Lodge and it has the A.M. Strange Library.

(Slideshow May Take a Moment to Load)

 

The goal of the community is to create stabilization within the neighborhood; increase the tax base; attract young new families and adults back into the area; and to create an economic impact. The Park Hill community is one of the many gateways to the city as North Green Street flows to North Gloster , one of the city’s main hubs of retail and restaurant businesses. Front Street is, also, considered one of the city’s main gateways as it also brings visitors who travel off Hwy 45 and McCullough Boulevard. The association hopes to become the catalyst for the first Community Land Trust in Northeast Mississippi. The community can look forward to seeing major redevelopment at Gum Tree Park. It is also creating a new memorial park, Green Street Grove in memory of the many residents past and present who have lived in the Park Hill neighborhood over the years.

The Park Hill Neighborhood hosts the annual Forward Festival at Gum Tree Park. The festival was originated to bridge the gap between the city residents and the local law enforcement. Every year, residents of the community and members of the various local law enforcement agencies including the county come together to enjoy a festive atmosphere of music, entertainment, games, vendors, and food from around the city. The festival always concludes with the annual softball game between residents and the local law enforcement.

As the oldest African-American neighborhood the community has several historical homes and landmarks such as the Alpha House Home for Boys, originally the home of M.E. Leake of the Leake & Goodlett Company; Dr. Walter A. Zuber’s Home, who was Tupelo’s first black physician; and the Springhill Missionary Baptist Church.

Events & News

Highlights Of The Green Street Grove Dedication Scenes from the Dedication (Click to see Slideshow)     Patricia-Neely-Dorsey's "Reflections" - "You Tube" Video: A Reading By One Of Park Hill's Own   Tupelo The small town where I am from, Gets its name from the Tupelo Gum. No matter where in the world That I might roam; This is the place That I call home. Though I've been northeast for my education,  I've stayed fiercely Southern In dedication. In Memphis, I lived for many years, By my own election, And even still, there was that Tupelo connection. At Elvis' Graceland, . Fans come to mourn; But it's Tupelo, Mississippi, Where he was born. Tupelo is known as the All-American City If you've never enjoyed it That's quite a pity. It's so warm, so hospitable and so neat,  Everything about it to me is so sweet. I love the trees, the flowers and birds, I can't really describe all its beauty in words.  Though many places in my life Have played a significant part; It's Tupelo, Mississippi, ya'll, That still has all my heart.   C. C. Augustus Pool Nearing May, we could hardly wait, For the end of school; Cause that surely meant for my friends and I, We'd be headed to the pool. It was, by far, our favorite way, To pass away the time; It didn't matter much at all, If we had to scrape up every dime. Of course, there was the swimming part, But, it was more a social thing; It was the place that we'd all meet, And maybe start a summer fling. There was always the finest lifeguards, That you had ever seen. They were the most buffed and well-built guys, All muscled, toned and lean. Over the years, just to name a few, There was Malcolm, Ike and Kenny; If I were to try to name them all, The list would be too many. We'd jump into the showers, Then head out to the deck; They'd all tell us not to run, So we wouldn't break our necks. There were snow cones and candy bars And other treats to buy; Everything was fairly priced, And nothing was too high. Sometime we'd run across the street To Mr. Quick, to buy a thing or two; About how we would come to miss those days, We didn't have a clue. We really did love that place, From the time we were very young; There'd be swimming lessons During summer camp, And pool parties where we hung. There were activities both day and night, And boy; we had such fun; So, every year, we could hardly wait, For that summer sun.

 

Got information you need to post on this site about your neighborhood?

Email it NOW to the "WebEngineer"