We visit the county seat of Yalobusha County in this weeks program. We are in the town of Water Valley. The town was originally called Oke Chuckma, Choctaw for "good water," which came from Town Creek. The Choctaw established a temporary village here in 1843. With them was a captive, a boy named Bill Carr, who was later to be called Turkey Bill, Water Valley's first white settler.

After the Civil War, Water Valley experienced overnight growth when The Illinois Central Railroad absorbed a number of smaller railroads and located their main office here. For years Water Valley was known as a railroad town until 1929 when the offices pulled out of town and left Water Valley in a economic depression.

With the railroads gone and cotton selling for four cents per pound, Water Valley turned to watermelons to help save the town. In 1931, the Chamber of Commerce organized a carnival to introduce the world to Water Valley watermelons, and thus a tradition was born.

We visit with Water Valley railroad man and historian Bruce Gurner and learn of tales from the rails and the story of Casey Jones.

Habitat for Humanity is an organization devoted to providing quality housing to people in need. The homes are built through volunteer labor and help to improve detonating neighborhoods.

The Cedars is one of the oldest homes still standing in Jackson. It was constructed around 1840 but with growth in the area near I-55, the property has been added to the Historic Endangered List in Mississippi.

Walt travels to Iuka and visits one of the last remaining drive-in movie theaters remaining in the state. He captures the feeling of a by-gone era in this reflective piece.

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