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Interesting Facts
- Several famous writers have ties to Oxford. Novelist William Faulkner lived in Oxford for most of his life, attended classes at Ole Miss and bought his home, known as Rowan Oak, in 1930. Bestselling contemporary author John Grisham graduated from University of Mississippi's law school and owns a home in Oxford.
- The University of Mississippi was thrust into the national spotlight in 1962, when James Meredith the school's first African-American student enrolled. Today a Civil Rights monument and statue of Meredith stand on the campus to commemorate this important era in the university's and our nation's history.
- Got the blues? Celebrating the region's musical heritage, Mississippi blues artists frequently play in Oxford, and the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture produces Living Blues magazine. An annual Blues Symposium is held in February.
- Named for Oxford, England, this college town was founded in 1837 and became home to the University of Mississippi in 1848. Today "Ole Miss" is Oxford's largest employer and boasts an enrollment of over 17,000 students and 2,369 full-time employees.
- Filled with historic architecture, shopping and dining, Oxford's Victorian town square is the city's focal point. Its key landmarks are the Lafayette County Courthouse (1840), the J.E. Neilson Company department store building (1897), and the City Hall (1887).
- SEC sports events at the University of Mississippi are Oxford's premier attraction. During football season, Rebels fans tailgate on the Grove, a large green space on campus, before the games.
- Established in 1848, the University of Mississippi has a number of historic buildings that are still standing. The campus's first academic building, The Lyceum (1848), is now used for administrative offices. Originally built for the physics and astronomy departments, the Barnard Observatory is occupied by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and is listed on National Register. Other notable structures include the Oxford Depot, an old train station converted into a public venue in 2003. Memory House, once home to William Faulkner's brother John, is currently used by the University of Mississippi Foundation.
- During the Double Decker Bus Festival held every April, England a red, British two-level bus, paying tribute to Oxford, England circles the town for tours. A host of concerts, a children's fair, 5- and 10-K races and a food court accompany the celebration.
- During the Civil War, Union troops invaded Oxford and burned many of the original buildings. The University of Mississippi was used as a military hospital for soldiers on both sides, and many of the men who lost their lives in the Battle of Shiloh are buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Ole Miss.
- Oxford has some archaic laws regarding alcohol. If you buy a six-pack in Oxford, don't expect it to be chilled: selling cold beer within the cities limits is not permitted. In addition, local restaurants and bars do not serve alcoholic beverages on Sunday, and some do not serve at all.
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