Livingston Farmers Market Becomes Part of New State Scenic Byway: Gateway to History
Madison, Misssissippi (PRWEB) July 12, 2013 -- Following Gov. Phil Bryant's approval of the new Mississippi Scenic Byway, the Mississippi Heritage Trust Board will mark the trail with a stop at the Livingston Farmers Market, the Chapel of the Cross, and the historic cities of Flora and Canton.
Several years ago, the Mississippi Heritage Trust revealed the Mannsdale Livingston area as one of the ten most endangered areas, meaning it was one of the most historically significant threatened places in the state. Since then dedicated preservationists in the community have begun working towards preserving the area by turning it into a federally appointed Mississippi Scenic Byway.
The byway, named the "Gateway to History," covers almost 33 miles of existing road. The welcome center for the gateway will be located in Canton and trailheads are placed between Flora and Canton for multi-use trails. This is a state appointed byway with state and federal grants available to further the beautification and historical preservation of the area.
One segment of the Gateway to History route begins at the intersection of Highway 463 and Reunion Parkway and runs 4.8 miles north on Highway 463 past the historic Chapel of the Cross Church, an Episcopal Church built in 1848, ending at Highway 22 where the old and new Town of Livingston is being erected, currently identified by the Livingston Farmers Market. From this point, the other segments of the Gateway to History begin by traveling westward 8.7 miles on Highway 22 to the Petrified Forest in Flora or travel eastward 12.3 miles on Highway 22 to the town square of Canton, the historic City of Lights. From the intersection of highways 22, 16 and 51 in Canton you can travel eastward on Highway 16 for approximately 1 mile and turn southward onto Highway 43 and follow Highway 43 South to the Natchez Trace for the last section of the Gateway to History.
“The federal grant money that this Scenic Byway status opens up will allow the community to move forward with this project meeting the needs of its renewed population including multi-use trails, beautification projects and more,” stated Lolly Barnes, Executive Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust.
The town of Livingston was the first county seat of Madison. The new town will preserve and reflect the history of the original town.
About Livingston Farmers Market
The Livingston Farmers Market is a celebration of food, music, literature and art held every Thursday, May through October, from 4pm until 8pm at the corner of highways 463 and 22. The market is made possible by the Livingston Community Foundation whose mission is supporting programs that: educate the community on ways to utilize their talents to become financially sound and beneficial to the community; encourage the affluent to utilize its talents to train the less fortunate; communicate the importance of good health, nutrition and overall wellbeing; and educate the community in the importance of self sustainability of the community it lives in.
Sarah Lofton, Livingston Farmers Market, 601-946-0464, [email protected]
Share this article