Offering a glimpse into the past, vintage pictures and the stories they tell are often times fascinating to say the least. And with Mississippi’s rich history, seeing photos from the past is like taking a step back in time to events we’ve only been able to read about. From natural disasters to tense battles, the state of Mississippi has quite the past. So, if you’re ready to see the Mississippi of yesteryear, check out the photos below.

1. Jackson Pet Store

Two women, during a 1955 Jackson pet store’s grand opening, greet customers.

2. Natchez Pilgrimage

In 1932, local garden club members realized the importance of preserving the south and, because of such, opened the doors to their antebellum homes to the public and offered tours. This tradition has lived on through the club's descendants, and as of today, over 30 mansions have been preserved.

3. WOKJ Manager

In 1952 the manager of Jackson radio station WOKJ completes paperwork at his desk. In addition to several other factors, the ash tray on the desk definitely gives a clue to the time period in which this photo was taken.

4. Hawkins Field in Jackson

This specific Beech H-18 was built in 1965; however, the first plane of this type is recorded to have flown as early as 1937.

5. Refugee Camp

Considered one of the worst natural disasters in history, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 left many homeless which led to refugee camps being set-up.

6. The Great Mississippi Flood

Putting into perspective just how bad the flood was, this picture shows a train’s flat cars almost completely submerged by the flood water.

7. Family of B. F. Clark

Taken in Columbus, this photo depicts the family of B.F. Clark who reportedly worked in 8 different mill villages within a 5 year period.

8. Hurricane Camille

No list of Mississippi’s past would be complete without including Hurricane Camille. The 1969 storm was so powerful that it pushed this boat right into someone’s front yard in Biloxi.

9. Delta Council Meeting

This picture, take during the 1950's, shows the Delta Council as they get together for their annual meeting in Stoneville.

10. Aldridge Plantation

Taken near Leland, this photograph depicts farm workers, many of whom are ex-tenant farmers, hoeing cotton at a rate of one dollar a day.

11. “The Night Old Main Burned”

In January of 1959 Mississippi State University dormitory, Old Main, burned down. Shown here are workers cleaning up what is left of the beloved building.

12. German P.O.W.s

German prisoners of war were held at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg. It is believed that by July of 1946, the last of the German prisoners left the United States

13. Elvis Presley Fan Club

In 1956, several junior high girls, who were members of the Elvis Presley Fan Club, were featured in the "State Times."

14. Elvis Presley and Jimmy Snow

Elvis Presley and Jimmy Snow took a ride on a 1954 Cadillac during a Meridian parade in 1955.

15. Civil Rights Movement

James Meredith, the first African American to be admitted to the University of Mississippi, is shown here. Because of riots, President John Kennedy sent 10,000 soldiers to accompany Meredith on his first day in 1962.

What did you think of these nostalgic photos? Tell us which is your favorite below!