How to Locate the Devil's Crossroads of Robert Johnson in Mississippi
A self-perpetuating legend states that noted blues guitarist Robert Johnson strolled down a Mississippi county road and was stopped at an intersection by no other then Lucifer, himself. Robert Johnson then proceeded to sell his soul in return for being the best blues guitarist that ever lived. Robert Johnson actually recorded songs alluding to this legend of the devil's crossroads, and his early and untimely death only fed the legend. Locating these signposts can be a bit of a challenge. The fact that U.S. Highways 49 and 61 actually intersect three times in the state of Mississippi doesn't make the investigation any easier.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Gain an appreciation of the music of Robert Johnson; chronologically if necessary. Hear the early recordings versus the older ones. On at least three different tracks Johnson suggests that his episode with the devil actually took place.
-
2
Begin the journey in Memphis. To experience the full effect of the blues, devote an evening to Beale Street, preferably B.B. Kings bar, but any joke joint on this famous street will suffice.
-
-
3
Locate Clarksdale, Mississippi on a dependable map. Note that it's located less then eighty miles from Memphis, Tennessee, on U.S. Highway 61 South. It makes perfect sense that Johnson would appear somewhere out of the Mississippi delta, with guitar on back, walking to Memphis, and then confronting Lucifer. Begin the drive.
-
4
Trace Highway 61 South to where it first meets U.S. 49. This location is at Lula, Mississippi and travels east into Helena, Arkansas. This isn't really a crossroad but rather 'T' intersection. Many travelers searching for the actual crossroads get confused and are wrongly convinced this is the location.
-
5
Continue south towards Clarksdale, taking the loop around the city to Desoto Avenue. It is here that the two highways separate, and this is also the place many misconstrue as the crossroads. Note that in the early 20th Century there were no loops around cities and that most of the highways, especially in the south, were merely dirt or graveled roads with maintenance involving only scheduled grading. The actual crossroads will be found in the heart of Clarksdale.
-
6
Take Desoto Avenue north into the city and upon reaching State Street, park. There is a right turn lane that has a grassy island with several trees. This is the location of the Crossroads Monument. Situated upon a baby blue post are two guitars (replicas and much larger then a standard guitar, of course). One guitar points north toward Highway 61 and one points east toward Highway 49. Below the guitars is a sign stating "The Crossroads."
-
7
Stop up the street at the Delta Blues Museum and get completely immersed in the history of this music genre. While there are some references to Robert Johnson, note that he wasn't actually from Clarksdale, but rather passing through. Clarksdale has notable blues legends in its own right.
-
1
Resources
More Like This
Comments
View all 8 Comments-
the crossroads of 1 & 8 are a stones throw to the river.
-
here's another spot to add to the conjecture.. where Dockery Rd. crosses Old Hwy. 8 between Cleveland & Ruleville.
-
1 & 8 so. of Rosedale, 49 & 61 in Clarksdale, where the "Southern crosses the Dawg" in Moorhead, you people better figure out how the Delta Bluesmen got from Ms. to Chicago via Memphis & where the deal went down.
-
but not from inside a air conditioned room :)
-
This will happen.
