The grounds of Cotesworth had all the festive Southern charm Saturday for the Cruisin Cotesworth car show, with a little history to boot – history of the various automobiles on display.
The picture-perfect spring weather, along with music for those in attendance touring the cars and the historic home, made for a wonderful time. The event brought many from other towns, local citizens and those with Carroll County ties to the event. All this took place on the grounds of the historic antebellum home of U.S. Senator J. Z. George.
The relevance of history was on full display with many of the antique cars associated with this area. The 1912 Detroit Electric which was owed by Lizzie George Henderson, the youngest daughter of Senator George is historic to this area. In the 1970s, the car was taken to be retooled where it would run at the Mississippi State Mechanical Engineering Department. It was returned to Cotesworth in the 1980’s.
Grenada County Supervisor Michael Lott, who had just the week before attended the Lott Family Reunion here in Carroll County, had on display his 1949 Ford. The truck has been in his family since it was new and was bought by his grandfather, Ben Lott, who was a school bus driver in Carroll County in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Lott said, “The truck was bought from a car dealership in North Carrollton.”
The dealership he was referring to was Lee Motor Company in North Carrollton, which was located in the building between where Shell-Go and the storage units is currently located. The owner of Lee Motor Company was family of George A. “Snooky” Lee of Carrollton.
Lott pointed out the first Carroll County car tag is still on the truck to this day. It sports an expiration date of October 31, 1949.
Senator Lydia Chassaniol, who chairs the tourism committee in the state senate reminded those in attendance, that the grounds at Cotesworth was once the site for change horses for stage coaches. Chassaniol said Cotesworth was one of the places for early public transportation. In the early 1800’s, Cotesworth was the first site for change of horses for stage coaches between Holly Springs and Natchez.
The historic home becoming a cultural heritage center, with the designation of Highway 82 as the state’s first Heritage Highway which runs through Carroll County, Cotesworth is another tourism destination along with multiple attractions along the route, Carrollton Mayor Pam Lee said.
“Events like Cruising Cotesworth are excellent ways to bring attention to the things that are special in our area,” Lee said. “Visitors can take a step back and slow down from their own fast passed lives.”
Lee said that visitors often their remark, “This has been so nice! We will be back." and "Everyone is so friendly and helpful!"
Lee went on to say, “When they come they spend money somewhere, whether for gas or food or even for souvenirs. That puts money into the local economy. Events that bring visitors also expand the activities that are available to locals. Just think what a great opportunity for us to participate in or to visit the car show without traveling a couple of hours.”
The Mississippi Classic Cruisers takes a road trip each year with the event celebrating classic cars. Saturday’s gathering was a display of history from landmark sites to those on wheels that brought tourists from many parts of the state to Carroll County.
