Remembering Emmett Till: 70 Years Later

Seventy years ago, on August 28, 1955, the brutal murder of Emmett Till shocked the nation and became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. A 14-year-old black boy from Chicago, Till was visiting family in Money, Mississippi, when word got out that he flirted with a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, at her family’s local store. Soon after, he was abducted, tortured and shot by Bryant’s husband, Roy, and his half-brother, J.W. Milam.

His disfigured body was discovered in the Tallahatchie River, weighed down by a cotton gin fan. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open-casket funeral so the world could see what had been done to her son. The images of his mutilated face ignited national outrage, but despite overwhelming evidence, an all-white jury acquitted his murderers.

In the decades since, Till’s death remains a pivotal moment in American history. Everything that took place is a symbol of both the horrors of racial violence and the resilience of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, those who wish to pay tribute to his memory and reflect on his legacy can visit several significant sites in Greenwood, Mississippi and the surrounding areas of the Delta, namely Sumner, which is in Tallahatchie County. These historical markers and milestones help ensure that Till’s story is never forgotten.

Greenwood and the Legacy of Emmett Till

While Money, Mississippi, was the site of the incident and abduction, Greenwood and nearby Sumner, Mississippi serve as essential locations in the Till story. Visitors today can explore several places that preserve the memory of Till and the impact his murder had on the Civil Rights Movement.

Emmett Till Statue at Greenwood’s Rail Spike Park

Greenwood’s Rail Spike Park downtown is home to a larger-than-life, nine-foot bronze statue dedicated to Emmett Till that was unveiled in 2022. The Greenwood Rail Spike Park stretches along the old C&G Railroad right-of-way adjacent to Johnson Street from Lamar Street to the Highway 82 Bypass. The park has transformed the abandoned corridor into a multi-purpose path for bicycles and pedestrians.

Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market (17 mins from Greenwood)

Located in Money, just a short drive from Greenwood, the ruins of Bryant’s Grocery serve as a haunting reminder of the false accusation that led to Till’s death. Though the building itself is crumbling, a historical marker as part of “Mississippi’s Freedom Trial” has been placed to inform visitors about its significance.

The Tallahatchie County Courthouse (Sumner, 45 mins from Greenwood)

One of the most significant sites connected to Till’s case is the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, where his killers were tried and acquitted. Though not in Greenwood itself, it remains a crucial landmark for those tracing Till’s history. The courthouse has been restored, and a historical exhibit now educates visitors about the trial and its consequences.

The Emmett Till Interpretive Center (Sumner, 45 mins from Greenwood)

Situated near Greenwood, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner provides an educational experience centered on reconciliation and justice. Using a combination of storytelling and art, the center remembers Till while painting a harmonious vision for the future.  It offers exhibits, guided tours and community discussions to honor Till’s legacy and promote racial healing.

Graball Landing (Glendora, 35 mins from Greenwood)

Nestled along River Road on the north bank of the Tallahatchie River, this roughly four-acre, relatively flat parcel commemorates the approximate location where Emmett Till’s body was recovered. Since 2008, several markers have been installed and replaced and the latest one stands six feet tall and is located down a path about 300 feet south of the riverbank.

Wright Thompson’s ‘The Barn’

Wright Thompson’s New York Times bestselling book, The Barn, explores the lingering presence of Till’s murder in the Mississippi Delta. Thompson delves into the personal and historical weight the events carry in the region, reflecting on how the past continues to shape the present, especially in the Delta. The book not only highlights all the landmarks mentioned above, but also the land plots, fields and back roads that were silent witnesses to Till’s murder.

Thompson’s book explains that Till’s murder is not confined to history books but is an event embedded in the Mississippi landscape. The barn’s terrible vibe where Till was tortured, compares to, as Thompson says, “as close as America has to Auschwitz.” By acknowledging these physical remnants of the past, visitors can better understand the weight of Till’s murder and the significance of keeping his story and spirit alive.

Honoring Emmett Till’s Legacy

The 70th anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder reflects on progress made and work that remains. His death galvanized the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring figures like Rosa Parks, who famously cited Till’s murder as a reason she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus later that year.

Visiting these historical sites — whether in Greenwood, Money, Sumner, or beyond — allows people to pay their respects and gain a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of racial injustice. As we remember Emmett Till, we must continue to confront history honestly and work toward a better future.