The Calamity Club’s Guide to Oxford, Mississippi

Kathryn Stockett made waves with her debut novel The Help in 2009. Examining the Civil Rights Movement, the story is told through the eyes of Aibileen and Minny, who collaborated with white socialite Skeeter to write a tell-all about Black maids in 1962 Mississippi. In 2011, the novel was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name, part of which was shot in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Seventeen years later, Stockett is back with another hit novel The Calamity Club. Set in 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, the novel follows the unlikely convergence of three women: 11-year-old orphan Meg, unmarried Birdie and outspoken but troubled Charlie. The trio must take risks during a fraught period of American history where women’s rights are contested and the social order becomes contentious in the midst of the Great Depression. 

The novel was a hit, climbing the ranks on The New York Times bestseller list and becoming Amazon’s most-read fiction book instantaneously. Stockett has also received immense critical acclaim, deemed “smart, funny, and driven by unforgettable characters whose opinions and actions leap off the page” by Bonnie Garmus and “as witty, bold, and transportive as it is heartbreaking and compassionate” by Shelley Read.

While these women’s journeys carry the story, Oxford has emerged as a character in its own right. Teeming with literary history and culinary delights, the home of William Faulkner serves as a pinnacle of Southern culture fit to stand out in a novel of such magnitude. Stockett blends fiction and reality in creating her beloved characters’ version of Oxford, drawing from the city’s history to shape the landscape of her story. Take a stroll through Stockett’s 1930s Mississippi town, where you might see some familiar locales along the way.

Neilson’s Department Store

An iconic stop in Oxford, Neilson‘s makes an appearance in The Calamity Club as a popular shopping spot for its characters. Neilson’s is the oldest department store in the South, founded in 1839 by William Smith Neilson.

During the Great Depression, Neilson’s survived the nationwide financial strife through loyalty and careful management, allowing it to be a plausible destination for Stockett’s characters. In 2014, it celebrated its 175th birthday and touts its title as the “South’s oldest store.”

Today, Neilson’s lives on as a lively, must-see destination on the Square for locals and tourists alike.

Gathright-Reed Drugstore

The Gathright-Reed Drugstore was established by Dr. John Gathright in 1923 on the North side of the Square and served as a functioning drugstore with a soda fountain during the 1930s.

Now, the building houses Estelle’s restaurant, which offers American cuisine with French influences as well as carefully curated cocktails.

Oxford City Hall

Oxford City Hall is a frequent destination for Birdie, who often exchanges letters with her family as well as her love interest.

Built in the late 1800s, the building was originally used as a post office and federal building. Readers can see where Stockett’s characters mailed their letters at the Oxford Welcome Center.

Today, the city hall functions as the center of city government, housing officials such as the mayor and city clerk.

Lafayette County Orphan Asylum for Young Girls

While the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum for Young Girls is fictional, it provides an important place for Meg, who is forced to call the orphanage home. Stockett placed the orphanage near the Square, illustrating her setting’s landscape for readers as they follow Meg on her journey.

Square Books

Deemed “one of the nation’s most celebrated independent bookstores,” Square Books is the embodiment of Oxford’s literary cultural identity. Readers can buy their own copy of The Calamity Club at the beloved bookstore while checking out its upstairs cafe and balcony.

Beyond Stockett’s bestseller, Oxford is a prime literary and culinary destination for locals and tourists alike. Fans of William Faulkner can visit the author’s grave and tour his home, Rowan Oak, while food enthusiasts can check out award-winning restaurants such as City Grocery and Michelin-recognized Ajax Diner. Guests can enjoy their stay in new hotels like The Graduate and Oliver, where they can bask in the heart of the city.

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