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Historic site · Clarksdale, Mississippi
Dockery Farms
Old cotton plantation between Cleveland and Ruleville where Charley Patton lived and where several blues pioneers passed through, with preserved wooden sheds.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Dockery Farms
Dockery Plantation opened in 1895 on the banks of the Sunflower River, in the heart of the Delta. It once housed hundreds of worker families, with a store, churches, a school and a cotton gin, functioning like a small town.
Charley Patton lived and played there for many years, and musicians such as Howlin' Wolf, Son House, Tommy Johnson and Pops Staples passed through the plantation or learned from him. For this reason Dockery is cited as one of the birthplaces of Delta blues.
What remains are the wooden sheds, the seed warehouse and the storehouse, with plaques that tell the history of the plantation and the music. A Mississippi Blues Trail marker stands at the entrance by the road.
The visit is short and outdoors, and pairs well with the drive to the B.B. King Museum in Indianola.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to one hour.
Best time
During the day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon in hot months.
How to get there
It’s on Highway 8, between Cleveland and Ruleville, about 60 km south of Clarksdale by car.
Tip
Combine it with Indianola on the same day. Check the foundation’s website for guided visits or scheduled events.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Dockery Farms
Why is Dockery Plantation called the birthplace of the blues?
Because Charley Patton lived there — one of the first major figures in the blues — and several important musicians passed through the plantation or learned from him.
Where is Dockery Plantation located?
On Highway 8, between Cleveland and Ruleville in Mississippi, about 60 km south of Clarksdale.
How long does a visit to Dockery take?
About half an hour to an hour, between the barns and the outdoor markers.