The American Planning Association awarded the Greater Belhaven neighborhood a place on its 2014
list of "Great Places in America". The APA's website describes the area and history:
Greater Belhaven comprises two historic neighborhoods, Belhaven Heights and Belhaven. The history of these neighborhoods reflects the history of America.
Wealthy business owners built mansions in Greater Belhaven and encouraged their employees and civil servants to build cottages and bungalows. This eclectic mix of architecture remains today, drawing a diverse population to the neighborhood. The wide variety of architectural styles ranges from Georgian and Federalist to airy New Orleans-inspired designs, to ivy-covered bungalows and Italianate, Art Deco, and even a few modern accents.
Mississippi's most creative individuals have found their way to Greater Belhaven. Among the residents are celebrated writers, artists, and musicians. They are drawn to the neighborhood by its quiet ambiance, diverse architecture and, lovely green spaces. For those same reasons, top-level executives and professionals are also drawn to Greater Belhaven to work and live. Doctors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and university professionals all find common ground in this neighborhood.
History
- In 1875 most of Belhaven Heights was originally known as Moody Estate
- A block of land was sold to Col. James S. Hamilton, who constructed a new home and named it Belhaven in honor of his ancestral home in Scotland
- Greater Belhaven as it is known today, began as one of the original ring neighborhoods springing from downtown Jackson in the early 20th century
- Belhaven Heights was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1983)
- The Greater Belhaven Foundation was created (1999) to enhance, protect, and improve all areas of Greater Belhaven
- Belhaven Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it the largest historic district in Mississippi with 1,306 contributing structures (2012)
Slideshow of great places in America.
13 comments:
Belhaven really is a unique urban oasis. I lived there for several years before moving out of state and loved the old-time neighborhood feel, beautiful trees and architecture, and easy access to all points.
Glad to see someplace IN JACKSON getting some cred. Never thought of Millsaps as part of Belhaven, exactly, but why no?
I lived in Belhaven 20 years. It is a wonderful neighborhood, with a tangible community feel. Many residents work together in Belhaven on the Improvement, Security and Foundation boards to improve the neighborhood. Belhaven College is at the heart of the neighborhood, and together with Millsaps, give it a college town atmosphere. Belhaven is also blessed by presence of the Baptist Hospitals which puts good jobs nearby, as does its easy access to downtown. The neighborhood's boundaries are well defined, and shelter the area from intrusive changes. A great place to live right in Jackson.
"Belhaven is also blessed by presence of the Baptist Hospitals... ...and shelter the area from intrusive changes."
Baptist IS the greatest of the 'Intrusive Changes'. That entity is a horrible cancerous growth which has ruined much of Belhaven. And it sickens me to think that Baptist has now metastasized into Madison. Its buildings are ugly, and the grounds around those buildings are bleak wastelands.
but they have god on their side, they can't loose.
8:44. Thanks for your opinion. I live in Belhaven and am in total disagreement with you. Thank you Baptist, for investing and believing in our neighborhood. Also, congratulations on the excitement created with your town homes.
I have a special place in my heart for Baptist. I beat cancer there with the help of a superb surgeon and other physicians.
It is indeed wonderful that the neighborhood has received this recognition. Over the past 10 years Belhaven's streets and drainage have declined precipitously. I'm convinced that if Margaret Barrett Simon had tried harder (or at all)then a lot of the decline would've been averted. Hopefully this is her final term. If not, she needs an opponent.
Another Belhaven resident chiming in to voice my support, *not* criticism, of Baptist. They have been a wonderful corporate citizen, not to mention a terrific anchor for our neighborhood. Certainly we have a lot going for us, but much of it might not have come together such as it has were it not for the support of Baptist. Two thumbs up from my perspective.
1:37, you must be a Baptist Administrator, why don't you go work on forcing more internal referrals from "your" clinics to the hospital and stop posing like you like in Hinds County.
I live in Belhaven. Huge fan of Baptist for how they have helped the neighborhood. I have no affiliation with Baptist.
Lived in Belhaven 7 years, never ever heard anyone complain about Baptist or describe it as a bleak wasteland or a metastasizing cancer. Now, Belhaven south of Fortification -- that's a wasteland.
well, they did loose a shit ton of money with that ice skating rink they put in for all the poor and under served kids in Reunion.
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