Here at Crossroads Chevrolet Buick GMC, we are proud to call Corinth, MS, our home, and we are happy to share it with you. For almost 170 years, this city has stood as a junction between north, south, east, and west, serving as a crossroads for travelers, businesses, and more. We are proud to be located here in Corinth, and we work hard every day to showcase what it is about this city that offers such a fantastic legacy of hard work and decency. Whether you live here in Corinth with us or you are coming to us from the surrounding area, it is important that we uphold these values and demonstrate what it means to celebrate our Mississippi heritage.
In many ways, the history of Corinth runs in parallel with the history of this great nation of ours, so we cannot help but feel respect for everything this city has been through. Today, it stands as a testament to the determination of those who live in this area with us and is a celebration of great food, fantastic arts, and American history. We believe in the importance of giving back to this community and adding to it in every way we can, to provide for our friends and neighbors and welcome others to this great city. Let us learn more about Corinth and everything it has to offer, so you can see why we love our home as much as we do.
What’s in a Name?
The city of Corinth dates back to 1853, but it has not always had this name. Originally, it was called “Cross City” due to the way it was positioned as a crossroads in this area. It served then as a junction between the Mobile & Ohio Railroad and the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. The Mobile & Ohio Railroad ran from Mobile, Alabama, in the south up to Columbus, Kentucky, to the north – it was eventually extended further to Cairo, Illinois, near the Ohio River. While the Memphis & Charleston Railroad ran from Memphis, Tennessee, along the Mississippi River to the west over to Stevenson, Alabama, in the east and beyond.
Since both of these major railroads passed through Cross City, it made this location incredibly important and valuable for trade in 19th Century America. A newspaper editor named W. E. Gibson, in the early days of our city, suggested that the name be changed to Corinth, after the city in Greece that was also a famous crossroads in the ancient world. The suggestion took off, and the name was eventually changed. Our dealership name was chosen to pay respect to the legacy and importance of this city as a crossroads in the development of America.
An Important Role in the Civil War
As a major railroad junction and crossroads for trade and supply movements, Corinth was a very important location during the American Civil War. Southern troops and supplies would often move through the city, using the railroads, especially for transportation east and west across the southern states. That resulted in our city becoming a major strategic target for military operations throughout the area.
In 1862, one of the most important battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Shiloh, was fought just north of the city in Tennessee. At the time, it was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and proved to be a critical moment in the conflict. A large number of Confederate soldiers attempted to surprise the Union army that was encamped at Pittsburg Landing, but the offensive ultimately failed when reinforcements arrived. The result was that the Union army was able to make a push south down into Mississippi, and they ultimately took control of Corinth.
Not long after, Southern forces attempted to take the city back, and the Battle of Corinth was fought with the Union army entrenched and making use of extensive fortifications and earthwork constructions to hold the city. By retaining the city, the Union gained an important, strategic foothold, not only giving it further access to the south, but allowing it to control the railroads that ran through Corinth. You can learn more about these battles and the military strategies involved at the Civil War Interpretive Center (see below).
Birth of the Slugburger
Not all of Corinth’s history is wrapped up in the railroads or Civil War, however, and one of the most noteworthy contributions our city has made to American culture is the creation of the slugburger. It all started in 1917, here in Corinth, when a man named John Weeks started selling burgers from a mobile kitchen – the early 20th Century version of the food truck! In order to save money and make his burgers stretch further, he added ground potato flakes and flour to the ground meat and created a delicious new food phenomenon.
Today, you will find slugburgers served all across Corinth and throughout other parts of the surrounding area. Despite the name, there are no slugs involved: it most likely comes from their original cost, which was just a nickel, also known as a “slug.” While you can enjoy a slugburger any time you want, to really do it right, we suggest you check out the annual Slugburger Festival held here in Corinth on the second weekend of July every year. There is a carnival, musical performances, and the highly competitive Miss Slugburger competition!
Crossroads Museum
If you would like to learn more about Corinth in general and the rich history of our city, then you should check out the Crossroads Museum. Although this museum is dedicated to all things Corinth, it is particularly noteworthy if you are interested in learning more about the early railroads and how they came together here. There is much more here than railroads, however, with exhibits and information about the geology of this area, its pre-historical development, and the Chickasaw Tribe, who were among the first people to live in this area. You can also learn about notable people from Corinth, including famous aviator Roscoe Turner and Jackie Simpson, a true football legend.
If you would like to learn more about Corinth in general and the rich history of our city, then you should check out the Crossroads Museum. Although this museum is dedicated to all things Corinth, it is particularly noteworthy if you are interested in learning more about the early railroads and how they came together here. There is much more here than railroads, however, with exhibits and information about the geology of this area, its pre-historical development, and the Chickasaw Tribe, who were among the first people to live in this area. You can also learn about notable people from Corinth, including famous aviator Roscoe Turner and Jackie Simpson, a true football legend.
Civil War Interpretive Center
Although we briefly explored the importance that Corinth played during the American Civil War, if you would like to learn more, then you should visit the Civil War Interpretive Center. This will give you an up-close view of what life during the war was really like, and there are numerous exhibits that delve into the roles that the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Corinth played. You can see a life-size diorama about how the earthwork entrenchments were made, which were integral to the Union army holding the city. There is even a full-size reproduction of a two-gun battery that showcases how these fortifications spelled defeat for the Confederate soldiers.
Although we briefly explored the importance that Corinth played during the American Civil War, if you would like to learn more, then you should visit the Civil War Interpretive Center. This will give you an up-close view of what life during the war was really like, and there are numerous exhibits that delve into the roles that the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Corinth played. You can see a life-size diorama about how the earthwork entrenchments were made, which were integral to the Union army holding the city. There is even a full-size reproduction of a two-gun battery that showcases how these fortifications spelled defeat for the Confederate soldiers.
Corinth Contraband Center
When we think about and learn about the Civil War, it is easy to only focus on the soldiers who fought and died throughout the conflict. To get a better understanding of the deeper meaning behind the war, however, we recommend visiting the Corinth Contraband Center, a location setup here in Corinth where people fled following President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. Since Corinth had been taken by the Union army, newly freed men and women came to this location and began building new lives for themselves. This location remains an enduring testimony to the natural right of freedom and a reminder of how far we have come.