Blues Trail Marker #5

First one I went to was, Hickory Street, or  as it used to be called "The Hollow," It was a regional hub for the African American community and businesses of central Mississippi for several decades, up through the 1970s. Though many of the local cafes and clubs from then are gone, their memories remain. Canton native, Elmore James also learned the electronics trade by working at an old radio shop on Hickory Street, which he would apply to develop a powerful and original electric blues style. On the sign is what seems to be a recreation of the original Hickory Street.

Second was Club Desire, a Canton landmark for many years, beloved by the African American community for both it's entertainment in a celebratory and it's atmosphere, with strict codes enforced for dress and behavior. The club was a major Mississippi blues and rhythm & blues nightclubs from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. In the '60s the club gained an extra purpose as an important meeting place for civil rights workers, which Clarence Chinn, the owner was deeply involved with. Unfortunately, Club Desire was shut down in the 1970s. With this picture being the only picture I could find of the building, I find it truly sad that it got closed down and if I had the money I would happily campaign to have it reconstructed to possibly serve as a museum of sorts.