People have been known to visit Oxford for a three-day weekend, and find themselves staying 15 years. Walkers can’t stroll around the Courthouse Square and not feel the spirit of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner, feeling the same sort of draw so many other writers and artists have felt. John Grisham, Willie Morris, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown and dozens of other writers have at one time called Oxford their home, filling page after page with words that seem to flow easily in this haven.
Oxford is a community whose heart is rooted as much in the promise of its future as in the richness of its past. Roots run deep here, where people are as passionate about SEC sports as they are about their favorite author. It is truly the people who will win your heart and cause you to stay. Diversity is the norm, but Southern culture and hospitality create the foundation that makes our community unique. Besides being one of the top six retirement towns in America as named by Money magazine and other national publications, Oxford welcomes new artisans, writers, researchers and others who have found Lafayette County to be the perfect community to pursue careers and raise families.
In addition to the endless first-class cultural attractions and access to one of the best universities in the South, Oxford’s proximity to the best Mother Nature has to offer is but another reason so many have made their homes in Lafayette County. The outlying communities of Taylor, Abbeville and Harmontown, to name a few, give residents an alternative to living in the city, but with only a 20-minute drive to work.
The University of Mississippi – affectionately known as Ole Miss – plays an integral part in the community, providing a vast array of social and cultural activities. SEC sports continue to be a major attraction, not only for Ole Miss students and alumni, but for the entire community as well. Lavish tailgates are a long-time tradition for home football games, and Oxford plays the hospitable host to thousands of visitors each year who attend events here from across the nation. You haven’t enjoyed the ultimate Southern experiences until you’ve picnicked in the Grove the day of an Ole Miss home football game.
In June 2012, Oxford was named by the American Express OPEN Forum as one of “The Best Small Towns for Business in America.” Forbes magazine named Oxford as one of “America’s Fastest Growing Small Towns,” in its January 2012 issue. In April 2012 Smithsonian magazine listed Oxford among “The 20 Best Small Towns in America.” So whether you can call Oxford your home or are just stopping through town for a quick visit and a bite to eat, you will truly feel alive among the tranquil backdrop of this unique small southern town that is unlike any other.