Hot Coffee, Mississippi
| Hot Coffee, Mississippi | |
|---|---|
 Location of Hot Coffee, Mississippi | |
| Coordinates: 31°44′25″N 89°27′22″W / 31.74028°N 89.45611°WCoordinates: 31°44′25″N 89°27′22″W / 31.74028°N 89.45611°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Covington |
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 671513[1] |
Hot Coffee is a locale in Covington County, Mississippi,[1] celebrated in local Mississippi lore. It is sometimes assigned the same zipcode as nearby Collins.
History
The community was established at the crossroads of two popular travel routes: the north-south Jackson's Military Road, and the east-west Natchez to Fort St. Stephens Wagon Road. An inn was built, and in 1870, L.J. Davis built a store and hung a coffee pot over his door, advertising "the best hot coffee around". His coffee was made from pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and molasses drippings for sweetener. He never served cream with his coffee, believing it ruined the taste. Local politicians would visit Davis' store and buy coffee for constituents and passing travelers. The popularity of Davis' coffee led to the name of the community.[2][3][4] It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.[5]
West of Hot Coffee was an Old Order German Baptist community, which contained "Martha's Kitchen", known for its pies and homestyle cooking. In 2005, National Geographic published an article about Hot Coffee, describing it as:
"A tiny community of farms, homes, and businesses scattered along two-lane Highway 532. The 12-mile stretch known locally as Hot Coffee Road runs from the town of Mount Olive to a crossroads that dates back to pioneer days."[6]
In popular culture
- In the 1968 play Boys in the Band (as well as the 1970 film adaptation), the character Michael makes a reference to Hot Coffee as his hometown.
- The alternative country band Hot Coffee, Mississippi is named for the community.
- Hot Coffee is mentioned in the movie Love the Coopers by Amanda Seyfried as the place she'd like to live since it sounds like the perfect place for a waitress.
- Actress Stella Stevens was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi and has frequently been inaccurately referenced in the media as a native of Hot Coffee. Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons once referred to Stevens as "the cream of Hot Coffee".[7]
Notable natives
- Dana Andrews, American film star; born on a farmstead outside nearby Collins, but raised in Huntsville, Texas.[4]
References
- 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hot Coffee
- ↑ McElvaine, Robert S. (1988). Mississippi: The WPA Guide to the Magnolia State. University Press of Mississippi.
- ↑ Sullivan, Chester (1978). Sullivan's Hollow. University Press of Mississippi.
- 1 2 Norris-Bryant, Sandra E. "Join us in Hot Coffee and...". Covington Chamber of Commerce.
- ↑ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. p. x.
- ↑ Gwin, Peter (January 2005). "ZipUSA: Hot Coffee". National Geographic Society.
- ↑ MacTrevor, Joan (1990). "Nowadays, women are stronger than men!". Ciné Télé Revue. Santa Barbara: le site Francais.
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