Video: Columbus Dedicates Monument to Catfish Alley

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Catfish Alley is one of the most historic areas in the Golden Triangle and today the City of Columbus payed homage to it by dedicating a monument.

Local officials including Columbus Mayor Robert Smith held a ceremony downtown in honor of the contributions African Americans made to the city. Catfish Alley began in the late 1800s and became the mecca for African American fisherman, merchants and residents in Columbus. Jones Restaurant has thrived there for more than 50 years as a family business started by Sallie Mae Jones.

“We’re being recognized, officially recognized as a group, as a group who has contributed to the community. So we’re very proud of that. We’re very proud of that and I know my mom would love it if she had been here,” says Jones’ daughter, Laura Jones-Chalmers.

The Catfish Alley monument was a part of the City’s efforts to revitalize downtown Columbus.