In the warm spring of 1847, Colonel Charles McLaran stood on a hill overlooking the bustling river town of Columbus, Mississippi. The successful cotton planter and businessman had a vision - to build the grandest home north of Natchez. As steamboats churned past on the Tombigbee River below, McLaran could already see in his mind the majestic columns and sweeping verandas of his future mansion.

McLaran spared no expense in creating his masterpiece. He hired James S. Lull, a talented architect from Vermont known for his classical designs. Lull had studied the latest architectural pattern books and even traveled to see ancient Greek and Roman temples.

This is the incredible life story of Dr. Rozelle Hahn, a pioneering female physician who recently passed away at the age of 100. Her story isn't just about medicine – it's about perseverance, breaking barriers, and dedicating one's life to helping others.

Welcome to "Tombigbee Tales a podcast dedicated to illuminating the untold stories of remarkable, colorful, and unusual people who lived, worked, or passed through Columbus, Mississippi. Today, we'll explore the extraordinary life of Beulah Ruth Bettersworth, an artist who transcended mere visual representation to become a profound social documentarian of early 20th-century America and who painted the mural in our downtown post office in the 1930's.

Welcome to "Tombigbee Tales" - where we dive deep into the fascinating narratives that shape our regional history. Today, we're exploring the life of William J. "Buddy" Adair Jr., a man whose story reads like a complex tapestry of crime, family, and regional intrigue. He loosely associated with a local group of “entrepreneurial bootleggers and gambling den owners some called the Dixie Mafia.

Baritone actor and Broadway musical star Charles Fredericks was born near Caledonia in Lowndes County, MS on Sept 5, 1918, to Mallory Oden Cockerham and Lillie Egger Cockerham. He was the second of three children, all boys. At birth, his father was an aspiring pastor and full-time Railroad Agent.

In the heart of World War II, a young man named Thomas Edward Duckworth embarked on a journey that would lead him to the Pacific theater, where bravery and sacrifice would define his fate. Born on October 15, 1920, in Columbus, Mississippi, Thomas was raised in a family that valued service and commitment. His father, a veteran of World War I, instilled in him a sense of duty and patriotism from a young age. After graduating from S. D. Lee High School in May 1941, he enlisted in the United States Navy that October, ready to defend his country aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Sims (DD-409).

The Red Horse was a hole-in-the-wall bar on the south side of Columbus in the mid-1970s. The bar was often filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional country ballad drifting from the jukebox. Nestled near gravel pits and garment factories, it provided a refuge for those seeking solace in the bottom of a glass. The walls were adorned with memorabilia from local sports teams, creating a sense of community pride, while the smell of fried food lingered in the air, making it a comforting space for many. And it was the site of a gruesome murder. 

While most of these clubs are now gone, their legacy lives on in the stories and memories of Columbus residents. The era of "Sin City " serves as a reminder of how even the most unassuming places can harbor deep, dark secrets. It also raises important questions about the nature of community, law enforcement, and the sometimes-blurry line between right and wrong.

Today we're diving into a local controversy that has been brewing in Columbus, Mississippi, surrounding the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. This story involves questions about funding, transparency, and a promised statue installation honoring the famous playwright. Let's break down the situation and explore its various facets.

This episode could be titled "Tech in Education, everything Heritage Academy is NOT telling parents about the data breach". I'm your host, and today we're diving into a major cybersecurity incident that affects millions of students across North America. Let's discuss the PowerSchool data breach and how it impacts your and your student’s information.