Helena to Greenville: Introduction

Even within the shadow of its blues-tourism drenched neighbor, Clarksdale, there are many reasons to walk over the levee for a quick visit. Friars Point was the Childhood home of Conway Twitty and Aretha Franklin's Daddy, The Rev. C.L. Franklin. The postal packet the Kate Adams made regular landings here enroute Arkansas City and Memphis. Muddy Waters reported seeing Robert Johnson perform in front of Hirsberg Grocery. The bench that Robert Johnson performed on still sits in front of the grocery, now painted fire-engine red. Friars Point was the original ferry landing for access to Helena. All blues musicians in the area passed through to get to Helena's influential King Biscuit Time radio program. If you stop, be sure to visit the North Delta Museum and Icehouse Antiques. Paddlers can find a limited selection of groceries at a couple of markets, one of which has noteworthy take-out lunches quick fried on a gigantic iron wok. Friars Point also has a liquor store and a post office.