Mississippi River Information

     Lauderdale County, Tennessee is on the Mississippi River.  It is a fun place to visit and a great place to live.  Whether you're looking for antiques, want to rough it outdoors or are curious to learn about wine making, there's something for everyone in our corner of West Tennessee.  Ripley is the trade center of a busy agricultural and industrial economy, but we're never too busy to take time out to talk to our visitors about leisure time pursuits or tell them more about the county that was the home of Root's author Alex Haley.  Here are some of the things you can see and do in Ripley and Lauderdale county. we hope you'll come visit.  We think  you'll be glad you did.  In Lauderdale County you'll find:

      Alex Haley's Home Museum.  At 201 Church street in Henning, you'll find the Childhood home of acclaimed author Alex Haley.  The front porch of his home is where young Alex heard the stories of his ancestors that provided the inspiration for his best selling novel, Root's.  Henning's mayor and the museum's curator, Fred Montgomery, will give you a tour and tell a few stories of his own from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.  Admission is $2.50 for adults and $1.00 for students.  For more information call (731)738-2240.

     Nutbush is the birthplace of the queen of rock and roll music, Tina Turner, in nearby Haywood County.  Turner, born  Anna May Bullock on Nov. 26, 1939, lived in Nutbush until she left at age 16 to become one of the top recording artists in history.  A Tina Turner Day Celebration is held each August.  To schedule a guided tour of the Nutbush area, call (731)772-4265 or 772-8157.

     The Lauderdale County Tomato Festival.  The famous Ripley tomatoes and the county's 50 tomato growers are saluted in a three day celebration each July.  Ripley tomatoes are a sought after favorite throughout the Eastern United States and are grown on 1,200 acres in Lauderdale County.  Festival activities include a tomato contest, tomato tasting, live music, 5k run, barbecue cooking contest, country western dancing, a beauty  contest to select Tomato Festival royalty and much more.  For information call the Chamber of Commerce at (901)635-9541.  Oh yes, the famous Ripley tomatoes and other delicious country grown produce are available at many roadside markets throughout the county.

     If you visit our county in October, you may want to make time to attend the Choctaw Indian Festival that's usually held the last weekend  of the month.  The festival is held near Henning on approximately 160  acres owned by the Choctaws.  At the festival, you'll find a memorable experience where native Americans share their skills, traditions and culture.  For information about dates for this year's festival, call the Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce at (731)635-9541. 

Other Lake Areas Close To Reelfoot

• Open Lake
  Here you will find Great Crappie, Bass and Bluegill fishing.  The flood stage is 26 ft on the Memphis Gauge.  Concrete Boat Ramp available with a user fee.     Directions:  Take Hwy 51 to Hwy 19 W, Approximately 10 miles on the right down Open Lake Road.
• Coal Creek Shute
  Here Crappie, Bass, BlueGill, and Catfish fishing is good.  the flood stage is 19 ft on the Memphis Gauge.  Good Fishing up to 25 ft on the Memphis Gauge.  Good trolling early spring.  Water Depth is from 0 to 30 ft.  State Concrete Boat Ramp.  No user fee required.     Directions:  Take Hwy 51 to Hwy 87 W, Follow signs.
• Johnson Lake
  Here you can also do some good Crappie, Bass, BlueGill, and Catfish fishing.  The flood stage is 28 ft on the Memphis Gauge.  Johnson Lake has a Gravel Boat Ramp, and no user fee required.     Directions:  Take Hwy 51 to Hwy 19 W. to approximately 15 Miles on right.
• Sunk Lake
  Here you can do some Crappie, Bass and BlueGill fishing.  This is a federal Wildlife Refuge Lake.  It's also a shallow water lake.  You can use their dirt Ramp if you have a Free Refuge Permit.  The flood stage is 25 ft on the Memphis Gauge.   The Lake is closed from Nov. 1st through March 1st.     Directions:  Take Hwy 51 to Hwy 87, turn right onto Sunk Lake Road.  Approximately 5 Miles.  Follow Signs.
• Chisholm Lake
  Crappie, Bass, BlueGill, and Catfish fishing is good here.  The flood stage is 18 ft on the Memphis Gauge.  It has a Concrete Ramp and a user fee is required.     Directions:  Take Hwy 51 N to Ripley, Turn left at first red light onto Edith Central Road.  Go to 4 way stop, Turn left onto Arp Central Road.  Approximately 3 miles, Turn right onto Chisholm Lake Road and follow signs.

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