William Faulkner called Oxford, Mississippi his ‘little postage stamp on earth.?
From 1930 until his death in 1962, the Nobel Prize-winning author called the southern city his home. Today, vistors to Oxford can tour his antebellum home dubbed ‘Rowan Oaks.?
But you don’t have to be a giant in the literary world to appreciate all that Oxford has to offer.
Home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) since 1848, Oxford combines the color and liveliness of a university town with a healthy dose of classic Southern charm and history.
Unique shops and galleries, ecletic restaurants and clubs, historic landmarks, museums and music, and comfortable inns define the town incorporated in 1837.
From watching the Ole Miss Rebels play Southeastern Conference football to experiencing downtown Oxford’s Double Decker Arts Festival ? a daylong celebration in April of music, food and arts named for the town’s authetic double decker bus imported from England in 1994 ? it’s no wonder Modern Maturity spotlighted Oxford as ‘One of the 50 Most Alive Places to Live in America.?
‘They call us ‘The Little Easy,? said Oxford resident Max Hipp referring to downtown Oxford’s resemblance to New Orleans on a smaller scale.
Hipp is the executive director of both the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.
‘It took us forever for Oxford to catch on as a quality place to live,? said Hipp, noting development really took off in the last 10 to 15 years following the legalization of the sale of ‘liquor by the drink? in the 1980s.
‘One of the best things we ever had was liquor by the drink,? said Hipp, noting it promoted ‘a lot of quality restaurants? and ‘reinvestment by the public and private sectors.?
These days Oxford is a booming city. USA Today listed Oxford among the ‘Best 100 Small Towns.?
‘We have become known as a wonderful place to raise children ? low crime, beautiful downtown, nice restaurants,? Hipp said.
Due to its reasonable cost of living, high quality medical care, diverse dining options and other ‘big city? amenities in a small town, Oxford’s become an ideal retirement destination for many. ‘Oxford is now recognized as a quality place to retire,? Hipp said. It was among Time magazine’s ?7 Great Places to Retire? and Money magazine’s six ‘Best Place to Retire.?
‘We’ve had a tremendous influx of retirees to our community,? Hipp said.
For more information on Oxford, Mississippi visit the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce at www.oxfordms.com orthe Oxford Tourism Council at www.touroxfordms.com.