Moorhead
Where the Southern crosses the
Dog
Moorhead is "Where the Southern Cross the Dog."
The Southern being the Southern RR (going left to right in this
photo and still an active line as the Columbus-Greenville RR)
and the Dog being the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley/Illinois Central
Gulf (from bottom up in both photos), aka the Yazoo Delta. Furthermore,
there are several stories out there as to how the Yazoo line became
known as the "Dog" or "Yellow Dog."
Back
to "Where the Southern Cross the Dog," W.C. Handy heard
that line, while waiting at the train station in Tutwiler (see
this page), by some anoyomus guitar
player. The saying was later used in several blues songs written
by Charley Patton and Big Bill Broonzy.
Top photo
taken in April, 2003, bottom photo taken in May, 2005
Moorhead has taken advantage to their little piece
of history by setting this gazebo up in the NE corner of the rail
crossing. There is suppose to be a historical marker here for
the rail intersection as well, but has yet to be restored as of
May, 2005 (my last visit). (This photo was taken in April, 2003)
I should also mention that other for the abandoned
section that crosses the Southern, the Yazoo Delta line doesn't
even run through Moorhead anymore (it was rerouted to go through
Greenwood to the east back in 1930s later to be abandoned all
together in the 1970s acording to Allan Hammons).
To
the left of this building on into the water tower supports would
be where the "Dog" would have continued to the north.
(Photo taken in April, 2003)
Looking north at the abandoned line, a water tower
and a church sit on the former right-of-way for the railline.
(Photo taken in May, 2005)
Looking east along the Columbus-Greenville (Southern)
RR as it bisects Moorhead. (Photo taken in May, 2005)
What was once the Bank of Moorhead has become a Union
Planters Bank. (Photo taken in May, 2005)
Unfortunately, much of Moorhead has been left to fade
into obscurity. People with means leave the town and those who
stay behind struggle just to keep the status quo. Remembering
where two railroads cross each other seems to be the least of
this community's worries at this time. :-( (Photos taken in May,
2005)
Links
Junior's Soapbox
(written in 1998)
Yahoo Groups - Moorhead
Mississippi Memories
Page created on August 16, 2005/ last updated on February
23, 2007
Questions, comments, and submissions can be sent to Sandor
Gulyas
Return to the Key to the Highway
Page