Mississippi Courts book coming soon!
By: Amy Luesebrink 09/01/2008
Whether one travels Aldrich or all the way down from Xerxes in the Camden community today, it would be easy to miss a small sliver of a street, next to the Mississippi river, known as Mississippi Courts N. Not many neighbors today may have traveled down to or lived in the Mississippi Courts along the banks of the river from 1949-1986. Standing at the Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, looking into the North Mississippi Regional Park, the power gantry, green fence and a few old cottonwood trees are the only physical reminders of a place and time when 100 quad homes (called ‘banks of the river homes') housed hundreds of families. Despite the buildings being razed in 1986 as I-94 went through, the people who lived there influenced Camden then and even still today.
Former Mississippi Courts residents Mike Fahey and Kenny Fosberg, have spent the last several years holding reunions and special local events to capture and collect stories, photographs and memorabilia about this important part of our community. Fahey's family was one of the first families to move into the Courts. "I just felt like it was important to and for the neighborhood and community to know what was here, and that a lot of people have made it and had their dreams fulfilled," he said.
The Mississippi Courts Historical Society, which Camden residents Fahey and Fosberg started, is putting together a book to capture those important stories of life along the river. The book will capture many colorful adventures, stories, history and photographs of this important 60-year journey of the Courts that helped shape our community. The Mississippi Courts Historical Society is still seeking advertisers and donors to help with the printing costs of this 100 page large-print book. To get involved contact Fahey at 612-788-1418.