HuffPost is driving across the country for our Listen to America road trip. We’ll be visiting 25 cities along the way.
“Listen to America: A HuffPost Road Trip” made its third stop in Oxford, Mississippi, a city rich in charm, literature, and history. Oxford is the home of the famed Ole Miss, acclaimed authors William Faulkner and John Grisham, and a vivacious music scene.
While in Oxford, HuffPost organized an event in the city’s geographic and cultural center, known locally as “the square.” We listened to the stories of locals in Off Square Books, ate at Ajax, and learned what makes Oxford work from Mayor Robyn Tannehill, and journalist Curtis Wilkie.
There’s a phrase that crops up all over Mississippi, particularly in Oxford, that describes life there as a “velvet ditch.” A local business owner tells us the expression means “a comfortable place that’s hard to leave.”
Suffice to say, we found ourselves deep in the velvet ditch and not in any rush to leave. Take a look at our time there for yourself:
The HuffPost tour bus rolls into Oxford, Mississippi, on Sept. 15, 2017, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." The outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
The HuffPost Tour bus pulls up in front of the Lafayette County Courthouse on it's visit to Oxford, Mississippi.
People surround the HuffPost tour bus during the visit to Oxford, Mississippi.
Sam Levine interviews Julia Tatum while her dog Bentley sits on the couch with them inside the HuffPost tour bus.
Bentley the dog visits HuffPost bus while in Oxford, Mississippi.
B.C. Crawford speaks with Jenna Amatulli during an interview in the Off Square Books store.
Barbie Gates, a pet nanny, takes some dogs for a ride in the back of her Volkswagon Beetle.
The front of the William Faulkner House in Oxford, Mississippi.
One of the typewriters of William Faulkner in Rowan Oak also known as the William Faulkner House.
The phone William Faulkner received word on that he had won the Nobel Prize.
The outline of a book written on the walls in the William Faulkner House.
The William Faulkner House grounds.
A detail of weathered wood on corner of a barn on The William Faulkner House property.
Hillary Frey introduces journalist Curtis Wilkie, who will interview Mayor Robyn Tannehill during the "What Makes Oxford Work" event at the Off Square Books store in Oxford.
Journalist Curtis Wilkie asks questions of Mayor Robyn Tannehill.
Mayor Robyn Tannehill answers audience questions at the Off Square Books store in Oxford.
Journalist Curtis Wilkie listens to questions posed by audience members.
The audience listens as journalist Curtis Wilkie speaks with Mayor Robyn Tannehill.
HuffPost leaves Oxford, Mississippi, with the setting sun headed for Memphis, Tennessee.
The HuffPost bus sits in front of the Arkansas State Capitol during a visit to Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sept. 13, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." The outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
A sign under an overpass in Arkansas.
The Junction Bridge illuminated during the evening hours. The bridge changed colors from time to time.
You can walk across Junction Bridge, which is lit with LED lights.
The city of skyline of Little Rock as seen from the Junction Bridge.
One of the many quaint city streets in Little Rock.
Jodi Morris speaks during a tour of Little Rock Central High School.
The restored Magnolia gas station beside Little Rock Central High School.
Little Rock Central High School, which is now a designated national historic site.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library building.
The roadway leading up to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library building.
A replica of the Oval Office in the The William J. Clinton Presidential Library.
HuffPost sets up its bus outside of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.
Will Tooke interviews Robert Walker on the HuffPost bus.
The HuffPost bus on location.
Adam Schultz edits video on the bus.
Shambala, a food truck owned by Phoebe Glass and Amir Salem, serves up vegetarian food near the HuffPost video activation site.
Hillary Frey, HuffPost's director of editorial strategy, works during the HuffPost visit to Little Rock.
The Loblolly food truck at the HuffPost activation site.
HuffPost reporter Jenna Amatulli orders ice cream from the Loblolly food truck.
Frey introduces the "Victory Over Violence: Overcoming Gangs in Little Rock" event.
Moderator Kevin Kelly Listens to panelists Leifel Jackson, Joyce Elliott, Tristan Wilkerson and Police Chief Buckner talk about crime in Little Rock.
Leifel Jackson speaks to the crowd.
Joyce Elliott laughs at Tristan Wilkerson's comments.
The crowd listens to the speakers during the "Victory Over Violence: Overcoming Gangs in Little Rock" event.
Little Rock Police Chief Buckner talks to the crowd.
The HuffPost bus at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
Tooke works aboard the bus as HuffPost staff members make their way to Oxford, Mississippi.
Bus driver Bobby Jensen does some late-night driving on the way to Oxford.
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