Oxford
Oxford, Mississippi, was incorporated in May of 1837, and was built on land that had once belonged to the Chickasaw Indian Nation.
Lafayette County was one of 13 counties that has been created in February of 1836 by the state legislature. Most of the counties were given Chickasaw names, but Lafayette was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, the young French aristocrat who fought alongside the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
In 1841, Oxford was made the home of the state’s first University, the University of Mississippi. The City was named after Oxford, England, in hopes that this would one day become a University town. The University is now one of the finest public Universities in the nation.
Oxford was nearly devastated by Union troops during the Civil War. The war claimed the lives of Oxford residents, as well as University students.
During the Civil Rights movement, Oxford again found itself in the middle of turmoil. In 1962, James Meredith entered the University of Mississippi as the first African American student.
Since that time, Oxford has thrived. The city is now known as the home of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. Many writers have lived in Oxford over the years adding to the literary reputation, including such names as writer Larry Brown, Barry Hannah, Willie Morris, John Grisham and others. Oxford’s music scene is also vibrant: with most popular bands visiting from all over the world and playing on the square or at Lyric theatre. Oxford is a town known for its creativity and talent. Its charm and sophistication is rooted in tradition. At the same time, it has all the amenities of a modern city, including elegant hotels, five-star restaurants, one of the few remaining independent book stores, Square Books, boutiques, spas. Oxford offers the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle to people of all ages, featuring bike trails, soccer fields and local produce at farmer’s markets.
Oxford is also known for its culinary achievements and as home for Ole Miss Rebels, part of South-Eastern Conference. College football is a big part of life in this Southern city. Celebrations at the grove after football games offer a great culinary and cultural experience.
Oxford is a type of town to where one, having visited once, will always be drawn to return. It is no wonder that many people want to establish their presence in Oxford, whether permanently, or for football weekends: they purchase single family homes or condos for themselves or their children. It has become popular for families to buy a condo in Oxford and let their children, who are students at the University, live there (considering rents are persistently going up) while renting additional bedrooms out to their children’s friends, thereby building equity in the property. After their children’s graduation, condos are rented out or sold, usually for higher price than when bought.
Here are some useful links for you to check out, for sports events, cultural events and more.
For upcoming events, visit:
http://visitoxfordms.com/events/www.oxfordms.net/
Here are more useful links to use:
www.retire.oxfordms.com/
http://live.oxfordms.com/
www.oxfordms.net is a government Oxford website.
www.lafayettechamber.org