Back in 2014, the Mississippi State Bulldogs beat three Top 10-ranked football teams which got them off to a 6-0 start that season.
That beginning led to the team’s first ever No. 1 ranking. They remained No. 1 in college football for five weeks.
The team was led on the field then by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
“This isn’t you’re your grandma’s Starkville. Sometimes we say this is the Starkville Dak built,” said Paige Hunt, the director of tourism at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
Although “the new” Starkville was not literally built by Prescott and the team, that was the time significant development in the city grew to new heights. The national visibility certainly played its part.
Not just an SEC football city anymore, there’s much to do and see in Starkville these days. If you’ve only been to Davis Wade Stadium to watch the Bulldogs, Dudy Noble Field for a baseball game, or Humphrey Coliseum (The Hump) for hoops, you may have missed some hidden jewels.
All the time Mississippians need to play catch up on Starkville’s latest and greatest is a weekend.
Mayor Lynn Spruill said she always hears the same message from visitors following a trip to “Starkvegas.”
“Hospitality. People feel like they are so welcomed here,” Spruill said.
Spruill, a Starkville native who graduated from Mississippi State, came back to her hometown after six years as a pilot in the U.S. Navy and retiring from Delta Airlines after 19 years.
Spruill was the first woman in the history of the U.S. Navy to qualify as an aircraft carrier pilot in 1979.
Spruill had more than 50 take offs and landings on carriers.
Following a time as mayor of Addison, Texas from 1985 to 1993, Spruill came back home to run the family businesses, Spruill Property Management. She has been mayor of Starkville since 2017.
“We have so much to do here. Everything at the university, great museums and restaurants, just a lovely atmosphere,” Spruill said.
Spruill said she enjoys seeing visiting teams and their fans respond to the charms of the smallest city in the SEC.
What to See and Do
Starkville Art Murals
Thanks to a growing public art scene, there are more than 28 murals spread across downtown, the Cotton District, University Drive near Mississippi State’s campus, and beyond.
Bring a phone with a good camera. The self-guided mural walking tour includes the Greetings from Starkville mural on Russell Street, the StoryBook Stairs on the corner of North Lafayette and Main Street, The Starkville Favorites mural on East Main Street, the Starkvegas mural on Russell Street, — the latter three created by artist Deborah Mansfield — the Cotton District Street mural at the intersection of University Drive and Maxwell Street, and the Belle’s Gives You Wings mural on Russell Street.
starkville.org/news/public-art-murals
The MAFES Cheese Store
If you’ve lived in Mississippi long enough, you’ve heard of — and probably tasted at some point — the famous Mississippi State “cannon ball” Edam cheese.
An MSU symbol for more than 80 years, the artisan cheese springs from students from the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) who milk up to 200 cows, twice daily, 365 days a year. The MAFES Custer Dairy Processing Plant produces 50,000 three-pound balls of Edam cheese each year. The cheese is aged for three months before sale.
The cheese and other kinds of dairy products are sold at The MAFES Cheese Store on campus.
It’s not just about cheese, either.
About 25,000 gallons of ice cream are produced each year by the MAFES processing plant. Muscadine Ripple, a popular favorite, is produced with muscadine grapes grown and harvested at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station. It takes 150 gallons of muscadine juice to produce a year’s worth of Muscadine Ripple, one of seven flavors sold by cup in the MAFES Sales Store. The store also offers half gallon and three gallon sizes in 11 flavors.
msucheese.com
Cotton District
Once a substantial cotton mill site, Dan Camp had an idea to develop student housing in the early 1970s with townhouses and cottages that would use the historic architectural styles of New Orleans, Vicksburg, Charleston, South Carolina, and Alexandra, Virginia.
The area — adjacent to the university — includes Lummus Drive and Holtsinger and Maxwell Streets.
Restaurants, bars, and some shopping areas make up the Cotton District along with hundreds of residential units filled by students and young professionals.
You can’t leave Starkville without taking a stroll in the Cotton District.
cottondistrictms.org
The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library
Mississippi State houses Ulysses S. Grant’s presidential library. Mississippi State is one of only six universities in the country to host a presidential library.
The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library consists of a 21,000 square-foot facility that offers the largest single collection of Grant papers and items in the world, contains 15,000 linear feet of correspondence, research notes, artifacts, photographs, scrapbooks, and memorabilia, along with 4,000 published monographs.
Visitors rave about the artifacts from Grant’s life, including letters written to family members, specially commissioned China from his daughter Nellie’s White House wedding, and a copy of his death mask. Visitors also enjoy the interactive touch screen exhibits and the four life-sized models of Grant throughout his life.
usgrantlibrary.org
PKL ROW
Open since July of this year, PKL ROW is an indoor pickleball club and lounge off Airport Road.
Although PKL ROW offers memberships, the courts are open to the public daily.
The facility includes 12 pro-level courts, reversable court times, a pro shop, and clinics. The club also includes a multi-sport simulation bay where the public can practice their golf swings from a selection of golf courses from around the world.
PKL ROW also boasts The Hangar, a pickleball bar and lounge that offers spirits and a bar menu.
pklrow.com
Where to Stay
Far Out Motel
Look up for the big yellow star in front of the Far Out Motel on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Formerly an official motel for parents visiting students at the university, the Far Out Motel has been renovated with an emphasis on retro vibes.
The boutique motel features an outside bar and barbecue area. The former pool has been transformed into a groovy hang out area with oversized chairs and games for the kids.
faroutmotel.com
Hotel Chester
Hotel Chester, on North Jackson Street in downtown Starkville, was built in 1925. Today, the 36-room boutique hotel is known for its historic and stylish atmosphere and its proximity to the university and the world of downtown.
historichotelchester.com
Where to Eat
The Little Dooey
100 Fellowship St.
662-323-6094
Littledooey.com
Known for its barbecue, Southern favorites like fried catfish, shrimp, and homestyle sides, The Little Dooey is a longtime SEC tradition.
Restaurant Tyler
100 E. Main St.
662-324-1014
eatlocalstarkville.com/restaurant-tyler
A downtown Starkville staple since 2008, Restaurant Tyler is known as a foodie favorite. Check out the blue plates for lunch and the shrimp and grits, Lamb Gnocchi, and duck burger for dinner.
Oby’s
504 Academy Road
662-323-0444
obys.net
Look out for Oby’s traditional and grand Coca-Cola mural when heading to one of the city’s best restaurants. In operation since 1976, Oby’s features Cajun po-boys, traditional po-boys, wraps, Southern comfort platters, and spuds.
BIN 612
612 University Drive
662-324-6126
eatlocalstarkville.com/bin-612
BIN 612 is the epicenter of the historic Cotton District. Try the made from scratch pizza, gourmet burgers, and tacos.
With a year-around population of 26,000 that doubles when the students descend to the city, Starkville is more than a place to visit for a football game.
“Folks have come here for Mississippi State football and other sporting events, but I think exploring our downtown and Cotton District… there’s so many restaurants, shops, nightlife spots, all within walking distance. Multiple hotels. So, it’s a great opportunity to experience a very walkable and fun college town,” Hunt said.
Starkville also is the perfect place for Mississippians to visit for a day trip or weekend, Hunt said.
“Mini vacations are great. Exploring our state for a weekend getaway is always a great opportunity.”
