These days, fewer than 300 people live in Alligator. The town started out small, too, but in 1883, the railroad came through. For a while, things were booming. There were 2 sawmills for lumber, 3 gins for cotton, and 1 hotel for all the guests.

For some people, the act of creating is more important than the finished product. Steve Smith, a professor at Millsaps, is writing a musical about life at a small college. We go through the creative process with him.

Mound Bayou is the oldest town in America founded by former slaves. The city hall contains carved statues of famous black Americans. The home built by the town's founder is still standing and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Before she passed away several years ago, Mildred Burks ran a restaurant called Booga Bottom. You could count on getting plenty of good country cooking at her place. In our Classic Roads segment, we travel back in time to meet a woman everyone called "Teddy Bear."

Older homes are part of Mississippi's legacy and charm. New owners restoring the houses to their former glory often get into the spirit of the structure. On Walt's Way, we learn more about the spirit. We visit the McRaven Haunted House.

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