Square Books: Southern literature at its finest, I reckon.

In 1962, during the peak of the civil-rights movement, former U.S Air Force serviceman James H. Meredith was accepted into the University of Mississippi, only to be declined when the university learned of his African-American roots. The issue found itself inside of a federal court, where the judge ruled in favor of Meredith, and ordered the university to accept Meredith as one of their students. Meredith attempted to enter the university, however a blockade led by Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett stopped him for a second time. Again, the federal court got involved, and the Governor was forced to stand aside. The next time, Meredith attempted to enter the university alongside U.S Marshals, but a massive riot erupted. Two men were killed, 300 injured, and it took over 3,000 federal soldiers to subdue all of the protesters; segregationists, anti-segregationists, and angry college youth. On October 1, 1962, James Meredith became the first African-American to attend the University of Mississippi. A few years later, Meredith attempted to walk from Tennessee to Mississippi, but was unlucky put into the hospital by a sniper’s bullet.

ole-miss-photoUniversity of Mississippi; “Ole Miss”, 1962

In a time of social evolution, Oxford appears as a place stuck in the stone ages. As a place, Oxford appears ignorant and divisive, similarly to how one may caricaturize the south as a whole. The riot of Ole Miss, while it may be considered a back step in attempts for a more inclusive nation, also served as the spark by which Square Books became a bookstore. The name even comes from its location; the Courthouse Square.

SquareBooks-280x200
               Square Books, Circa 1979

On September 14th, 1979, both Richard Howarth and his wife Lisa opened Square Books with the intent of expressing what they considered to be the true southern identity; less racist, and more literary. With $10,000 from their savings, alongside $10,000 they borrowed as a loan from the bank, the couple rented the upstairs space located in the top of a building that Richard’s aunt owned. The bookstore was not even visible from the street. Still, the couple “painted on the risers of the stairs” each category, just so if people happened to “stop and look through the glass door”, they’d see that it was “probably a bookstore”. With their unique collection of Southern fiction, they lined the walls, and encompassed the entirety of the store in southern literature, most notably their collection of works by William Faulkner. Square Books, as a place, is just beginning to settle its roots into its southern environment, even though both Richard and Lisa are long standing members of the community. It is a place that is recognizable by its owners, and not by its name. Square Books at this point, as a place, is quaint, and familiar.

Square Books takes on similar characteristics to W.G Rogers’ interpretation of the Gotham Book Mart, in his piece, “Wise Men Fish Here”. Frances Steloff, who runs Gotham, at one point in her life was a clerk in another bookstore, much in the way that Richard was a book collector long before he opened a bookstore. Steloff is met with books outside of her comfort zone, such as “plumbing”, “electricity”, and “chemistry”, which she regards as equal to other books, but ultimately not significant enough to put in her own bookstore (Rogers 77). Richard and his wife share this predicament, where they want to stock the shelves with literature that is important to them. This desire, however, is futile, due to there being differing opinion on what constitutes good literature.

In 1986, Richard and Lisa Howarth were able to move Square Books from out of the corner, to 160 Courthouse Square, slab-dab in the heart of the Courthouse Square. One may consider just how a hole-in-the-wall bookstore raised enough money to in under ten years to move to prime real estate, and the answer is simple: overwhelming community support. Most citizens of Oxford know who both Richard and Lisa are, as the town is not all too big. Apart from their neighborly advantage, Square Books promotes not only Southern authors, but literature that has originated in both Mississippi, and Oxford specifically. Let us not forget the “mom and pop” style of the bookstore is aesthetically pleasing.

To paint a picture, imagine walking into Square Books. You will immediately see a vast amount of author signatures hung upon the far wall. At a simple glance, there are hundreds of them, and they seem to take up all of the space on the walls that is not already taken up by books. The signatures groove along the staircase, which are uniquely labeled with the names of genres contained on the second floor. At the top of Faulkner Displaythe staircase lies a massive section with an artistic sign depicting William Faulkner—simply entitled “Faulkner”—which contains nearly all of Faulkner’s works. Not too far from the display, is a balcony, and a café that is actually unlike Starbucks. It seems relaxing, and intoxicating, and at the same time the legacy of a southern writer is etched into memory. Culturally, the Square Books is less intimate than its former days, but it still retains aspects of its home-like atmosphere, through their artistic design, and food options.

In 1993, Square Books made the bold decision of opening another storefront, dubbed Off-Square Books, located down the block at 129 Courthouse Square. The building itself is one story, with an adequately high ceiling, which makes for breathable room during any kind of event. Whereas the main Square Books bookstore specialized primarily in all things books, Off-Square Books could, too, sell books, while at the same time utilizing the location for the community. There are weekly public readings held at Off-Square Books, such as the most recent reading of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, another southern classic. Readers stand at the podium, atop the carpeted floor, as others sit and listen, awaiting their turn to read, or leisurely enjoying the activity of communal reading. Off-Square Books also buys and sells used books. One can trade in used books for either cash or store credit, though word or mouth seems to indicate the latter as being the wiser decision.

Off-Square Books opened its space up to the Thacker Mountain Radio show in 1997, facilitating itself as a venue that could encompass a broader spectrum of individuals. The Thacker Mountain Radio show, known back then as the “Words and Music”, is a live radio show that offers weekly author readings, as well as a plethora of musical performances from the Courthouse Square. The structure of the show consists of an author reading, music by a visiting band, and then several songs by the native Oxford house band to end the show. Several notable names that have appeared on the show since its first installment are former National Poet Laureate Natasha Tretheway; American blues slide guitarist, Kenny Brown; and Elvis Costello. All of those individuals—apart from Costello—are native to Mississippi, which is just another way in which Richard expands the southern identity. The Thacker Mountain Radio show is free, and airs on the Mississippi Public Radio here.

By the mid 1990’s, the store distinguished itself amongst other bookstores in the South, and in doing so revived the Square as a place of culture. Naturally, due to the bookstore’s growing fame, tourists began flocking to Oxford in search of Square Book’s legendary collection. Apart from the frequent literary geek, Oxford also has a reputation for being a “serene, cultured place for people to retire”. With these two facts in mind, it comes to no surprise that Oxford became over-populated, which in turn inflated housing prices. In response to these problems—as well as problems with certain city officials—Richard Howarth of Square Books decides to run against Pat Lamar for the position of mayor of Oxford. Surprisingly, in august of 2001 Howarth clinches the vote, and is named the new mayor. Square Books, as well as the audience that frequents Square Books, now have political influence. The space that Square Books encompassed before this moment was solely rooted within the courthouse. Now, the store has even farther reaching significance, as it is not only a famous southern bookstore, but also the bookstore of a mayor.

In the early summer of 2003, Square Books Jr. became the third bookstore on the Square courthouse, and with it, Richard and his wife finally achieved their dream of opening a store dedicated to children’s literature. During the year of its birth, the children’s series that most have come to love—Harry Potter—became popular, not just in one location, but nationwide. Square Books Jr. held a special event for the new installment in the series on June 21, in which participants were led to the old store location, where a map was conveniently placed. Using this map, much in the same way that Harry does in the thrilling magical realm, individuals were led along a treasure hunt, where the final destination was Square Books Jr. itself.Interior of Square Books Jr.

Consider all three bookstores as a space in which cultural revolution occurs. As a somewhat small chain of independent bookstores, Square Books stands in opposition to major bookstore chains. As Creswell points out, these “places” are built in order for such groups of like-minded individuals to “live differently from the masses” (61). Those that choose to come to any branch of Square Books is, in some way, choosing an activity that feeds a private sphere, in an otherwise dominate public, capitalistic sphere.

 

 

WEBSITES:

  • http://www.squarebooks.com/?page=1
  • http://www.squarebooks.com/about
  • http://www.squarebooks.com/junior/history
  • http://gardenandgun.com/article/square-books-oxford-mississippi
  • http://thackermountain.com/about/
  • http://wknofm.org/post/literary-light-oxford-mississippi-square-books-story#stream/0

TEXTS

  • Cresswell, Tim. Place: A Short Introduction. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004. Print.
  • Rogers, W.G. “Wise Men Fish Here”. New York. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. Print

Oxford, Mississippi’s Got a Whole Lot of History

When Square Books began, it was a small store, which stocked mainly literature on Mississippi and the South.  Richard Howorth and his wife Lisa struggled against the odds to open the bookstore at the very beginning.  The Mississippi Creative Economy noted, “This seemed like a risky plan to some, including a loan officer who told the couple that the town’s residents didn’t enjoy reading, and representatives from the American Booksellers Association, who thought the market was too small to support an independent retailer. Nevertheless, with an initial investment of approximately $20,000 or less, they opened Square Books on the second floor of a building that Richard’s family owned on the town square” (Broun 36).  The amazing thing about Square Books was that the little store only grew.  The store remained in that second floor space from 1979 to 1986 until they moved to the former Blaylock Drug Store building, where the main store is today at 160 Courthouse Square in Oxford Mississippi.


Beyond the move in 1986, Square Books opened Off Square Books in 1993 at 129 Courthouse Square, and Square Books, Jr. in 2003, at 111 Courthouse Square.  It went from being a business that people thought would not last and turned into three successful bookstores as well as becoming an important part of the Oxford community.  Laura J. Miller quotes from a 1914 trade publication, “Wherever the bookseller is located, in small towns or large cities, he is an intellectual center that works for the benefit of the community. He is generally the guide and counsel to others as to their reading, their study and improve ment. The good he does can not be estimated. Any community without a bookstore is nearly as badly off as without a church or school” (Miller 58).  This is something that Square Books accomplishes wholeheartedly. The store rooted itself in its southern history and gave people a comfortable environment to shop.  Richard Howorth is a part of the American Bookseller’s Association, plays an active part in the community of Oxford, and was mayor of Oxford for most of the last decade.

Over the years, Square Books welcomed many notable authors such as William Styron (Sophie’s Choice), James Dickey (Deliverance), Barry Hannah (Airships),and Richard Ford (Rock Springs short story collection) who I remember reading for my Intermediate Fiction writing class.  Since the store’s opening in 1979, over 2,000 writers appeared for readings and/or signings at Square Books. (You can find more authors listed on the store’s history page)

Beyond Square Books, the Oxford area has a rich history, which includes the author and Nobel Prize winner, William Faulkner .  Ann Abadie, the associate director of the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture remarks, “Faulkner used to be the one writer in town. There were a few others…but really we were William Faulkner’s town” (MCE 36).  OxfoFaulkner Benchrd was home to Faulkner and his family for over 40 years at the Rowan Oak house and Faulkner based all but three of his stories (Pylon,  A Fable, and The Wild Palms) in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, which he based on Oxford, Lafayette County.  Faulkner made Oxford, Mississippi a hub for all writers to live and visit.  Faulkner’s Rowan Oak home, seated statue, and place of burial are common places for book lovers and other tourists to visit when they come to Oxford. Faulkner was buried in Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Oxford just outside the square. There is also a statue of Faulkner at Oxford City Hall (above).

Literary history aside, Oxford was also a center for the Civil Rights Movement in 1962 when state officials prevented James Meredith, the first African American student to enroll at Ole Miss.  This act began the Ole Miss riot of 1962, where 2 people were killed and some 300 injured.  Police and military units were present at the University of Mississippi to maintain order (see video).

 

The 1962 riot scarred Oxford and Ole Miss with the intense violence that occurred during the those few days in September, which inspired the song “Oxford Town” by Bob Dylan.

The lyrics for “Oxford Town”….

Oxford Town, Oxford Town
Ev’rybody’s got their hats bowed down
The sun don’t shine above the ground
Ain’t a-goin’ down to Oxford Town.

He went down to Oxford Town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Better get away from Oxford Town.

Oxford Town around the bend
He comes to the door, he couln’t get in
All because of the color of his skin
What do you think about that, my frien’ ?

Me and my gal, my gal’s son
We got met with a tear gas bomb
I don’t even know why we come
Goin’ back where we come from.

Oxford Town in the afternoon
Ev’rybody singin’ a sorrowful tune
Two men died ‘neath the Mississippi moon
Somebody better investigate soon. 800px-James_Meredith_sculpture_OleMiss

This song, like most of Bob Dylan’s songs written about the Civil Rights Movement (most notably “The Times They Are A’Changin’- 1964) is self-explanatory.  It centers around James Meredith with lines like “All because his face was brown” and “All because the color of his skin as well as the the riot itself with the “Guns and clubs followed him down”.  It also make a reference to the two men that died during the riot.

James Meredith went on to graduate from Ole Miss and became an active member in the Civil Rights Movement.  He’s written many books including his memoir, Three Years in Mississippi.  There is a statue of Meredith at the University of Mississippi, which was put in 40 years after his acceptance into the school.

The destruction of Oxford did not start with the riot of 1962, but the area was invaded (1862) and the town square was all but destroyed in in 1864 when, under the authority of Major General Andrew Jackson Smith, the buildings in town square, including the courthouse were set on fire.

Part of the allure of the Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Oxford is also where the remains of a confederate general (as well as a Revolutionary War veteran) can be found in the circle of cedars in the cemetery.

In my last post on the present place surrounding Square Books, I mentioned that I’d like to visit the area if I every found myself down south.  The reason for that is similar to that of the other tourist who come to Oxford.  The events that took place in this town in history connect to the wider world.  William Faulkner is a well known writer even if you haven’t read a single book of his, (which doing all this research kind of made me want to) you still know who he is and that he had a tremendous impact on the literary world.  The Civil Rights Movement and the icon that was Bob Dylan has ties and connections to this town and it’s a place of historical significance when it comes to that movement.  The Civil War tore America apart and this town didn’t go untouched by it.  The had to rebuild the entire town square because of the destruction caused by the war.

Laura J. Miller says something interesting about the connection between the bookstore and its consumer.  She writes, “An explanation of the conflicting responses to the effects of rationalization in retailing needs to be more thoroughly grounded in both history and culture.Criticisms of rationalization in bookselling have focused on the perceived ill effects of impersonality, standardization, and bigness. Independent book sellers hold themselves up as guardians of local solidarity, local character, and local interests, while the large, corporate, standardized chain bookstore is seen as fostering impersonal social relations, effacing the distinctiveness of local communities, and using its clout to crush its competitors” (Miller 13).  This is in response to the idea that consumers want a bookstores personality and culture attached to them instead of the coldness of large chain bookstores.  And this is why stores like Square Books, Off-Square Books, and Square Books, Jr. are able to thrive in a town like Oxford, where everything is so in touch with its roots and its history.

 

Written Online Sources:

“A History of Square Books.” A History of Square Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://www.squarebooks.com/history>.

Broun, Dan, ed. “Business Creativity and the Creative Economy.” Mississippi Creative Economy (n.d.): 36-39. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://mscreativeeconomy.com/docs/vignettes.pdf>

I used this one to get some of the basic history of Oxford and it was a good starting point:

“History – Visit Oxford MS.” Visit Oxford MS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://visitoxfordms.com/about-oxford/history/>.

“Ole Miss Riot of 1962.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Miss_riot_of_1962>.

“William Faulkner.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Faulkner>.

 

Book Sources:

Miller, Laura J. Reluctant Capitalists: Bookselling and the Culture of Consumption. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006.

 

Video Sources:

James Meredith University of Mississippi 1962 Integration Riot Newsreel PublicDomainFootage.com. YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8VvNkTXVCM>

Oxford Town. YouTube. YouTube, 8 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1AT3NThCP0>