Yalobusha County Courthouse

 Yesterday being Homecoming at Ole Miss meant town was even more crowded than a typical home game day, with fewer places to park and longer to wait in line.  It seemed like a good day to finally make the trip to the BTC Old Fashioned Grocery Store in Water Valley.

The original courthouse in Water Valley (there are two districts in Yalobusha County, with a courthouse in nearby Coffeeville as well) was built in 1896 by the Walter Chamberlin firm out of Knoxville/Birmingham.  The building burned in 1912, and was subsequently renovated extensively by architect P. J. Krouse in 1913.

 The Mississippi Department of Archives and History records (love that new online database search!) indicated the original building before the fire was similar to the Holmes County Courthouse built in 1894.

As many times as I have been to Water Valley, I had never seen this courthouse; it sits a couple of blocks off main street.

In addition to discovering the courthouse, I also learned that the BTC carries lapsang souchong--one of my favorite teas.  I enjoyed a pot this morning, with its smoky aroma and flavor, along with some fresh bread, also scored at the BTC.  I also picked up Russian Country (I think that will be my afternoon tea break, along with the sweet potato pie with rosemary crust that found its way into my basket, too), formosa oolong, and some Earl Grey.  Long leaf tea reigns!