Travel Guide Leland

Leland, a small town with less than 5 000 inhabitants on the banks of Deer Creek, has its history marked by several famous figures. Among them, James Son Thomas (1926-1993), a recognized bluesman (who was also a grave and sculptor) and Jim Henson (1936-1990), the creator of Kermit the frog. As one finds the first in the Highway 61 Blues Museum, which is undoubtedly the major attraction of the city, the second is honored at the tiny Jim Henson Museum. Leland is also the birthplace of Tyrone Davis (1938/2005), one of the most popular soul singers of the 1970 s. Finally, Johnny Winter's fans will learn that his father was mayor of the city in the 1930 s. Built all along Highway 61, Leland does not really propose a place where stroll outside its two museums. The streets close to the highway (3 rd and 4 th Streets, for example) can be explored in order to discover beautiful murals, works by local artists. Leland houses a centre for agronomic research (agriculture research station) at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.