THE VELVET DITCH
DEFINITION: A place that is so comfortable you never want to leave.
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Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi. Founded in 1837, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract. The Census Bureau estimates the city's 2013 population at 20,865. Oxford is the home of the University of Mississippi, founded in 1848, also commonly known as "Ole Miss". Oxford has been named by USA Today as one of the top six college towns in the nation.
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THE SQUARE
Since Oxford MS was incorporated in 1837, The Square has remained the cultural and economic hub of the city. The Square is home to a variety of shops and elegant boutiques including the south’s oldest department store. Around the bend, you will find one of the nation’s most renowned independent bookstores and an art gallery featuring a variety of art forms and monthly showings. Extraordinary cuisine is also abundant around the historic Square. From down-home southern cooking to elegant haute cuisine, there is something to satisfy everyone’s appetite. The Square is the epicenter of Oxford’s nightlife.
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THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. Its 16 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy, and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. Recognized among the nation’s most beautiful, Ole Miss' main campus is in Oxford, which is routinely acknowledged as one of the country's best college towns. Ole Miss has been named a Best College Buy by Forbes Magazine and the campus has been touted as The Most Beautiful Campus by the Princeton Review.
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When it chartered the University of Mississippi on February 24, 1844, the Mississippi Legislature laid the foundation for public higher education in the state. The university opened its doors to 80 students four years later, and for 23 years was Mississippi's only public institution of higher learning. For 110 years, it was the state's only comprehensive university.
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